#guest muse; Lukas Usbeorn

[bravelywego]

Lukas chuckled at Saiph, waving at him. "Yeah, go ahead. See ya later~!" With that, he went to check on the other horses as if nothing menacing had ever happened.

Janne looked up at Saiph as the dragon followed him and Dotie. "That would be me for overshooting. I don't have a lot of good luck with teleportation crystals..." A grumble left him after.

He pauseed, making sure they were some distance from Lukas before asking, "But Saiph, you've met that guy before? Lukas? Is he always so....back and forth with friendliness and threats?"

-----

Geist sighed as James rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh, I'm sure we'll talk about it. Though I wouldn't be surprised if some amount of Crystalism-mandated homophobia prevented me from actually thinking about my own feelings until now and it turns out that Fiore and Nobutsuna already have a clear grip on how they feel long before I did..."

That, and he was going through some traumatic times back then including the Great Plague and all that entailed. Not exactly a great environment for figuring out your personal identity and all that goes into it.

Mona stared up at Geist. "Is...Crystalism...conservative?" She seemed to choose her words carefully, unsure of how else to word it.

Geist mimicked Mona's look. "Conservative is a polite way to put it. I prefer calling them closed-minded, idiots, or both." A groan left Geist. Right, right, Mona didn't know his backstory..."I left the church years ago. I'll tell you the story some other time."

That was when Einheria appeared, and he blinked, looking up at Einheria. "You're that Valkyrie that Tsuna told me about? We finally meet, I see...."

Mona blinked, looking up at Einheria as she complimented her hair pin. "Thank you. It was a gift. I hope to acquire more in the future."

[ Yew Finds a Wild Janne and Geist! ]

[adeadlysong]

An Introduction

@ribbedxgloves​ from here 

Tahirah giggled softly at the way Apollymi called her ‘Lady” Tahirah as she led her out of the dining car and down a few passenger cars. 

“Lady Tahirah? I’m not a noblewoman, but I like that you make me feel like one.” She murmured. She always liked making new friends. Because she frequented being on this particular route several times on the Molentary Express, she got to know quite a few of the staff here. 

She and Apollymi soon got to a door and Tahirah knocked a few times. “Lukas~? I have someone I want you to meet. Are you available?”

“One second!” Apollymi would recognize it as the same voice who spoke over the speakers earlier, just before the door opened to reveal the conductor himself. He was a man with dark brown hair, a bit of facial hair too. He wore a nice navy-blue suitjacket with matching pants, black polished shoes and a white shirt with a bit of a v-neck to it despite the neat collar. “Sorry about that, I just got on a quick break, so...”

“No worries!” Tahirah beamed at him before looking between Apollymi and him. “Apollymi, this is the conductor—Lukas Usbeorn. He’s actually a good friend of mine at this point. Lukas, this is Apollymi. She’s cool.”

“Apollymi?” Lukas smiled at her. It was hard to tell his expression—one might see it as something mischievous, like a schemer, but there was some obvious genuineness to it. “A pleasure to meet you. I hope that you’ve been having a wonderful journey so far here on the Molentary Express. How can I help you?”

[adeadlysong]

New Muse: Lukas Usbeorn!

Name: Lukas Usbeorn

FC: Alan Bersten (at least for now, may change later)

Age: ???? (presumably at least 30 years old by the present time, was 22 during the War of the Three Regions. He noticeably hasn’t physically aged since that period.)

About Lukas:

Lukas’ family previously served the past Countess of Melodia (Tahirah’s mother), when he was a child, as stablehands at the castle. However, Lukas took over being the head stablehand by the time the War of the Three Regions occurred. During this time, he did have a chance encounter with the then-thirteen-year-old Tahirah, meeting her in person for the first time on a one-on-one basis and consoled her after she ended the war, as she literally just killed hundreds of people by then. Tahirah remembers him being “very kind and sweet” and that he was helpful as well. However, Lukas mysteriously went missing shortly after the war, leaving only a farewell note for Tahirah to inform her that he was leaving on short notice (and also notably apologizing to her for not being able to give her too much time in advance about his departure). It’s rumoured that he gained the attentions of Svetlana Aldaine, the Starling, and that she took him into her wing, but no one is sure about that. 

However, eight years later, in the present time (the main verse), it’s rumoured that he’s been spotted in Melodia again...and Tahriah is more than willing to reunite with him and find out why he disappeared in the first place.

Abilities:

Horse-handling—Having grown up in a family that did this, as well as previously being the head stablehand at Melodia Castle, it’s obvious that he would have experience.

Dancing—Given that he’s grown up in Melodia, where the arts do flourish, he’s a very capable dancer in most if not all styles. 

Currently no other known abilities. At least, none that anyone else is aware of.

[adeadlysong]

Everyone noticed Nadine carrying the laughing Saiph out of the room, but decided not to comment or ask. They'd catch up with those two later. As Lena explained the istuation post-Aria leaving, Nuriel stared.

"Wait, whaaat!? But we like having you around! It woudl be fun to bash baddies together!"

"Well," Maria blinked, "There was something about a Dominion Reaper going after Lena....? And Aria was concerned about Lena and Nadine being kidnapped by the baddies because they're also versatile magic users.'

"Ah. Er...." Arlyn blinked. "...huh. That's a good point, but I also seriously doubt that they'll be nabbed that easily."

Fiore gave Arlyn a look. "Hey, in my defense, I was totally scammed."

"Fair, but still..."

"Maybe we should show Aria, Nadine and Saiph to guest rooms..but they also just kinda left...?" Tahirah trailed off sheepishly.

"Well, I'd like a guest room." Fiore pointed out, looking toward the Countess. "And I'd greatly appreciate you leading the way~"

"I'll take you to your room." Arlyn sighed, motioning for the Red Mage to follow him. "Nuriel, stick with Tahirah. Lukas, take Rafaele to his. The rest of you...get some rest? Might as well while we have the chance."

"And then we'll pull off some grand musical number later." Lukas added, grinning, before helping Rafaele stand. "Let's go~"

Rafaele didn't bother protesting and let Lukas half-drag him off. Tahirah smiled ,looking toward Lena.

"Lena, do you want me to get someone to show you, Nadine, and Aria some guest rooms...?"

[ Lena Patches Up Sukumara ]

[bravelywego]

Lukas blinked, before he grinned at her with a friendly, relaxed smile. "Ah, no worries, just - " His eyes took on a glint of straight-up venom, as if looks could kill, and Janne swore he saw Lukas' eyes glow yellowish briefly. "Don't do that again and we'll get along swimmingly~"

Janne shivered, staring. WHO THE FUCK THIS GUY. WHY DOES TAHIRAH HAVE THIS DUDE HERE. WHAT THE FUCK.

Fortunately, Saiph came in to break the weird tension and Janne sighed in relief. "Saiph, so glad you're here. Teleportation mix-up happened when trying to report back...."

"Yo, Saiph!" Lukas waved at Saiph with a friendly grin and matching eyes as if he hadn't been straight-up threatening Janne and Oddette two seconds ago at all. "I was just making sure things were alright here, that's all~"

"Yeah, er, thanks. Let's go." Cue Janne immediately zooming out of the stables. "Saiph, mind leading me and Oddette to the Countess...?"

-----

Geist's face flushed lightly at the mention of DeRosa would love to see him. "You think so...?"

Mona gave Geist a deadpan stare as the two moved to follow James. "You like him don't you."

"Still to be determined." Geist stated, traying to keep a straight face. He failed.

Mona blinked. "You like Kamiizumi too."

"Also to be determined." As much as he enjoyed the curiosity of others, now was not the best time. I feel like polyamory might be the best-case ending in this scenario, but even then how long would it last...?

"They probably like you too. Or at least they like staring at you like they did at breakfast. I don't know. You adults are weird." Mona said nothing else after, before they made it to the doors. "Andd...they're here."

[ Yew Finds a Wild Janne and Geist! ]

[bravelywego]

Janne hummed, looking toward Dotie. "Well, yeah, I asked a few people, but I keep getting the same weird results..."

He glanced down at the bag, digging into it. Dotie had a good point with the warning. "Yeah, I got that vibe too. Let's see..."

Inside was a journal. Janne opened it up, reading the entry aloud.

"I've been trying to find out what's up with Raf lately. He's been more unsettled in the past few days...I hope he's taking care of himself." Janne blinked. "They're writing about Rafaele? Tahirah's godfather?"

Janne flipped a page. "Starling is determined to stamp out those people once and for all...I can feel her rage. Who's writing about both of them?" He checked the journal for any sign of a name - only for the journal to suddenly vanish from his hands. "Huh!?"

"Yo." Janne looked up to see Lukas holding the now-closed journal in one hand as he leaned against the side of the doorway of the stall, raising a brow at both Dotie and Janne. "Ever heard of respecting other people's property?"

Janne stared back. "Maybe don't put it in an obvious random place?"

Lukas didn't seem pleased. "I'm in charge of the stables. This is my place."

------

Mona smiled softly as James helped redo her hair and even fixed the teddy's hair tie. "Thanks James." THe tedy bear waved as if in approval. "I'm...ready."

Geist nodded. "Ready." He took out the teleportation crystal, and...

Soon the three were in the main hall of Melodia Castle! Geist gazed around, frowning at the sight of a surprising lack of people present.

"No Countess to greet us? I guess she's elsewhere in the building...we should probably find the others."

Mona hummed, before pointing up ahead. "...That..way. They're that way."

[ Yew Finds a Wild Janne and Geist! ]

[adeadlysong]

Everyone greeted Ariadne and Fiore along with the others as they returned to the castle. Notably, Araceli and Candace were...absent?

"Where'd Lady Araceli and Candace go?" Luciano blinked.

"Ah, they went back to their respective regions to go check on their advisors and others that were injured earlier." Tahirah explained. "They'll be back really soon, though."

Ariel looked toward Lena and the others, swallowing. "Are you okay...?' he then noticed Fiore, raising a brow. "I should've figured out sooner that 'Red' was you all along. You're the only one going by the title of 'red mage' that I know."

"Well, I'm just glad to not be dead." Fiore chuckled, winking at Ariel. "How sweet of all of you to look after me~"

"Oh, and we caught up with some of your friends while you were all away! Kinda." Tahirah blinked. "Janne, Geist, and Yew all called - and apparently they're all going to come over and pick you up, plus Kamiizumi...at some point. Not sure how soon they'll be here." She looked toward Rafaele, frowning. "Godfather, are you...?"

"Not feeling the best. I may have overdone my powers." Rafaele mumbled, just before Arlyn immediately led him to the closest chair possible.

"Of course you did," Lukas muttered under his breath, sauntering over to Rafaele's side. "I know you like to show off..."

Siobhan glanced around everyone, quietly observing.

"Did you just say that you were in contact with Kamiizumi, Geist, and...?" Fiore trailed off, looking toward Tahirah and the others.

"Yep!" Nuriel gave him a thumbs-up. "It was pretty funny how Hira just up and yelled to all of us that Red was actually you all along!"

"Honestly, I should've figured that out sooner." Arlyn sighed, shaking his head. "How did I not figure that out sooner!?"

Tahirah looked toward Ariadne, smiling lightly. "Lady Ariadne, welcome! I apologize that we cannot greet you with music as things have been...uh, pressing. However," She took out a tray of cupcakes, freshly frosted, "I did bake these! Please, everyone is welcome to have some. They're lemon and strawberry with a strawberry frosting."

[ Lena Patches Up Sukumara ]