escordvi | third slash ⚔️ closed log

[Ding ding. Lightning will get a text one morning.]

hey thers a shotting comp here

intested?

[There are so many things wrong with this, but first and foremost—]

A what? The hell is a shotting comp?

[He knows that he can spell check, right????]

[Spell check is for losers—]

wit the gins

[—and may also be deliberate.]

[SHE IS NOT DEALING WITH THIS AGAIN.]

You know what, just call me when you figure it out.

[He's just going to be laughing on his side before ring ring CALLING.]

[Oh, he's actually calling her.]

Alright, wanna try again to explain what a "shotting comp" is?

Shooting competition.

[He'll then hold up the flyer he had picked up.]

There's one going on here on Nogard that I thought you might be interested in.

[Yes there's a clear flyer. Yes he could have taken a picture of it.]

[She is thinking exactly that, if the roll of her eyes is any indication, but there is no hiding the interest.]

Me? Flattered that you thought of me, and I could use the target practice, but I'm no Corsair.

Not a problem, it's open to everyone. In fact there's a round for any Paladins in the area to join. Think it's in hopes to beat them, haha!

And you think I stand a chance against a bunch of Corsairs? Why don't you enter?

[That last part is a joke.]

What, you think you can't stand against them?

[A smirk.]

But I know where I'm beat. If it was swords, that would be much different.

Of course I can.

[Who does he think he's talking to!?]

Alright, where's this thing at? You're gonna have to meet me somewhere and show me.

I have to look up where exactly it is, but I can meet you at the port when you get to Nogard.

Alright. Eltrut's not far, so be there in a few hours.

[And with that, she packs up her things and makes for the docks, searching for a ship—of which there are many—to get to Nogard. And true to her word, she arrives there no more and no less than a few hours later, stepping off the ship and searching the busy port (oh, there are a lot of people here with rifles and guns, all of them must be coming for the competition) for Rokurou.]

See you then.

[After disconnecting, Rokurou will also get his things before heading out. Flyer in hand, he'll first scout the actual location of the competition, which seems to be out on one of Nogard's wide shores just beyond the main city. Seems reasonable given the noise, especially with some rounds already going off.

Making his way to the port, at first he's just idly waiting, watching the ships and hearing a few things here and there when he notices some people holding signs. Eager friends and family it seems, and he'll witness them as they greet a sailor who must have just come back from a long voyage. Not a bad thing really, it's enough to make him smile a bit...

Until he gets an idea.

So, when Lightning arrives, she won't see Rokurou first. Instead, she'll hear the rumors of people wondering:

"Who that big pink sign is for?"
"Is it royalty?"
"Surely they would have had more class..."
"Not to mention putting a target on their back, heh."
"Let's wait and see."

And should she look ahead she will see a giant pink sign with the name "PRINCESS LIGHTNING" waving hiiigh in the air.]

[She hears the whispers first, not sure who they're about, but it does make Lightning glance around. Royalty? She didn't even know that there was such a thing here. In a world of free rebels and seafarers where hardly anyone lives on land big enough to claim, why would there be? It all seems a bit silly.

Still, she mutters under her breath.]

Royalty?

[Some lady next to her whispers. "Yeah, there's a sign that says 'Princess Lightning'... I've never heard of this princess before."

Her gaze snaps around in that moment, and it lands on Rokurou. Or rather, the giant, obnoxious pink sign that he is holding up and waving around over everyone's heads.]

Unbelievable.

[There's a loud CRACK of lighting at his feet in warning and those closest to him shout in surprise and leap back.]

[He could see her finally looking over at him, and he starts to wave the sign even more annoyingly when there's that crack of lightning!]

Whoa—!

[He'll jump back so as not to be hit...but he'll still laugh and say as if really proud—]

That's our princess!

[The crowd around him erupts into chatter.

"Princess!?"

"Oh my god, who is it?"

"Is she here!?"

Lightning chews on the inside of her cheek, her grimace deepening, and she shoves her way through the people and tries to snatch the sign from Rokurou as soon as she reaches him.]

Why the sign!?

["Oh my gosh, she's so pretty!"

"Her hair is pink!"

As pink as Lightning's cheeks have become—]

[Just going to be a child and raise it hiiiigh up in the air.]

Thought it would make it easier for you to find me, Your Grace.

[Ooooh he's really rubbing it in as he smirks like a true daemon.]

[People are squealing now, trying to get Lightning's attention, but she is too busy still attempting to get the sign down.]

Rokurou! Give me the sign!

[Another zap of lightning, this time catching one corner of the poster. And before anyone else can make that stupid assumption NO THANKS TO HIM—]

I'm not a princess! Now back off!

[She leaps up high enough that she does manage to grab it this time, and she tears it right out of his hands only to smack him in the face with it.]

[He lets her have it, and is still laughing as she hits him.]

But my Lady—!!

[HE REALLY SHOULD STOP but this is somehow really fun???]

[The poster makes a loud wobbling noise as she smacks him with it again, the poster waving around in the air with its lack of structural integrity as a bludgeoning object.]

Is this any way to treat a princess!?

[Smack smack smack! Not that it hurts, but she tries to do it anyway before she's shoving it back against his chest.]

[There's a gasp from a young girl who had been watching.

"So she really is a princess!!"
"Ah, well... She is quite a strange one."

Whether that last line was meant to be spoken, Rokurou is still laughing, if a little less.]

You wound me, I'm only doing what you asked for!

[JUST MAKING IT WORSE]

[She grabs him by his wrist and drags him away from the crowd before they can ask anymore questions, ignoring their cries for her attention on her way.]

So, I see you're signing up to be my first target for practice?

Honestly, that would be fun—see how well I could avoid and deflect your bullets with my sword.

[Behind them, that same girl will shout, "The princess is running away with her lover knight!!" followed by the mother frantically trying to SHUSH HER DAUGHTER PLEASE.]

[Lightning just gives him a look at what you did look.]

Alright, once you show me where this is, we can see how bad you are at dodging bullets. Warning you though, I've got good aim.

Hey, that just makes the challenge more fun.

[Of course he would not be deterred and just take that warning as a challenge.]

But the competition is being held on the shore not too far from town. If you take this road ahead, it's a straight walk to it.

[He is also still holding the sign and is she going to let go of his wrist—]

[No, she's too flustered and angry to realize that she is even still holding it as she takes them down that road he mentions—]

So, did you call any other gunslinging friends?

Nah, you're the only one I know. Why? Would you be jealous if I did?

What?

[She unintentionally squeezes his wrist before she realizes that she has been holding it and finally lets go.]

No? The hell would I be jealous for? You made me come all the way out here for it.

[Though, there may be the slightest quirk of her lip before she turns around.]

[Oh his hand is finally free—

But he just smirks.]

She looks happy to me—

[He will suddenly halt his steps and stiffen as he clamps a hand over his mouth. WHAT DID HE JUST SAY]

third slash ⚔️ closed log

fish in a barrel 🐟🔫

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