In a clouded evening, the grey sky lay over the tradition-rich lands of Yuzhou like a somber blanket. The only visible sun peered through the cracks a mile from where the noble's son stood, shining down on the fearsome Ograd mountains. The mighty landforms of slate-colored rock were capped with snow, largest throughout the land, though most notably, home to more elusive legends and cryptids than a sage could count on both hands and feet.
Depending on who you ask, the newly-fatherless noble's son, currently squinting through the settled fog in search of the village docks, was notable as well. He was fairly tall for the human species, 6'1", with shoulder length black hair that sat tied back in a ponytail, blue eyes, tanned skin, and a slim, fit physique. His figure, graced with slight musculature, was covered by his red-plated, lightweight cuirass, flexible enough for him to move comfortably in, and sturdy enough to protect him from a blow. He was a lord, or at least, had the chance to be, sent to collect the bittersweet spoils of inheritance upon the death of his father.
This lord-to-be, Hinata, as he was named, kept trudging through the cool mist. Despite everything, the drizzle of gentle rain was refreshing, and the mist grazed what little of his skin was bared through his cuirass. Suddenly, he found his purchase as a junk boat of decent size came into view from within the fog, docked half-assedly in the seas at the private harbor he'd been directed to after the funeral.
It was a fair beast, about a third the size of the largest he'd ever seen, and about forty meters from dragon-headed stern to bow if he had to guess. With great ruffled sails, currently not drawn for fear of catching the wind, and a thoroughly livable captain's quarters, this boat was now his to make a living in. From the deafening silence that filled the atmosphere, it seemed that none of the inheritance yuppies had come to greet him.
"Hey all! Hinata's here!"
No matter, the joyful shout of a faded figure on board, followed by the clank of a dropped gangplank, and then the bullcharge of the same stout, russet-skinned form was the warmest of welcomes an aspiring lord could ask for as he was wrapped up in a tight hug. There was only one person he knew who hugged like that, and as the figure pulled back to let him breathe, he was greeted with the sight of Romuald, a 5'5" Satyr man with a stocky, muscled body, cloven goat hooves, curved horns, and a bare chest. Short wisps of curly black hair spilled across his forehead and neck, and a handsome goatee with faint stubble to match sat plainly on his chin. Sheathed at his belt, Hinata can see a trench club on Romuald's left and a primitive sling on his right.
The lanky figure of Cielito, a 6'4'' harpy man, attached to Romuald at the hip, made itself known as he emerged from below deck, ducking within the stairway as he tread lightly across the gangplank. Two sunny yellow wings, laced with subtle streaks of silver, sprouted out from beneath his shoulder blades, allowing him to soar like a bird should it please him. He had knobby knees, dimpled cheeks, a large, pointed nose, bright green eyes, and sandy-colored skin, only a bit tanner than Hinata's own. A longbow sat slung across his shoulder, cozied up next to a bountiful quiver of barbed arrows. He smiled brightly at the noble son's arrival, zipping forwards to greet him alongside Romuald. "Hinata! You're looking well! Welcome to our new home!" He beamed, though contrary to his friendly words, his body language was a bit nervous.
Next and last to join the parade were two women, walking side by side, though one lagging a bit more than the other due to their conflicting heights. The tallest overshadowed the other by about nine inches, and her long, floppy, and white-furred ears were evidence of her lapine blood. Her olive skinned, sweet and feminine face had high cheekbones, touched lightly with a natural pink flush and an unashamed smile. She was called Liliana, and she sauntered along with the refined gait of a graceful fighter. Two paper fans were set by her sides, and though he'd never seen her use them, the rogue bunny girl had them decked out with deadly blades, and most definitely knew what to do with them. Her curvy breasts and butt were hardly accentuated by her long kimono, nor was the inevitable bulge of her crotch, but they were definitely still there, while smooth auburn hair spilled down to her back.
The second and last woman was a petite 5'0". Fawn-skinned and virtually curveless, the human sorcerer called Romalyn had a gnarled wooden staff swinging at her sides. Her loose robes were a deep satin blue, while a stereotypical mint-blue wizard's hat sat oversized on her head out of novelty. It covered most of her wavy white hair, shoulder length like Hinata's, while clunky brown boots covered her feet and legs up to the thigh. Resting in a leather pouch that she checked religiously was her pet mouse, Henrietta, a brown-furred little darling of a rodent. Romalyn spoke first. From the way she carried her smaller self, it definitely seemed that she was the one running the show. "Come on, you two. Lay off of him."
Her words hardly dissuaded Liliana as she chimed in too. "Hinata! Or, I guess Lord Hinata now! How've you been? How's the family?"
"Oh- uh!" Romuald jabbed Liliana in the side, clearing his throat regretfully. "We're sorry for your loss."
The others ground their heels into the dirt, looking shamefacedly to the floor in response to their own poor timing. Romalyn only shook her head, knowing this would happen.
Depending on who you ask, the newly-fatherless noble's son, currently squinting through the settled fog in search of the village docks, was notable as well. He was fairly tall for the human species, 6'1", with shoulder length black hair that sat tied back in a ponytail, blue eyes, tanned skin, and a slim, fit physique. His figure, graced with slight musculature, was covered by his red-plated, lightweight cuirass, flexible enough for him to move comfortably in, and sturdy enough to protect him from a blow. He was a lord, or at least, had the chance to be, sent to collect the bittersweet spoils of inheritance upon the death of his father.
This lord-to-be, Hinata, as he was named, kept trudging through the cool mist. Despite everything, the drizzle of gentle rain was refreshing, and the mist grazed what little of his skin was bared through his cuirass. Suddenly, he found his purchase as a junk boat of decent size came into view from within the fog, docked half-assedly in the seas at the private harbor he'd been directed to after the funeral.
It was a fair beast, about a third the size of the largest he'd ever seen, and about forty meters from dragon-headed stern to bow if he had to guess. With great ruffled sails, currently not drawn for fear of catching the wind, and a thoroughly livable captain's quarters, this boat was now his to make a living in. From the deafening silence that filled the atmosphere, it seemed that none of the inheritance yuppies had come to greet him.
"Hey all! Hinata's here!"
No matter, the joyful shout of a faded figure on board, followed by the clank of a dropped gangplank, and then the bullcharge of the same stout, russet-skinned form was the warmest of welcomes an aspiring lord could ask for as he was wrapped up in a tight hug. There was only one person he knew who hugged like that, and as the figure pulled back to let him breathe, he was greeted with the sight of Romuald, a 5'5" Satyr man with a stocky, muscled body, cloven goat hooves, curved horns, and a bare chest. Short wisps of curly black hair spilled across his forehead and neck, and a handsome goatee with faint stubble to match sat plainly on his chin. Sheathed at his belt, Hinata can see a trench club on Romuald's left and a primitive sling on his right.
The lanky figure of Cielito, a 6'4'' harpy man, attached to Romuald at the hip, made itself known as he emerged from below deck, ducking within the stairway as he tread lightly across the gangplank. Two sunny yellow wings, laced with subtle streaks of silver, sprouted out from beneath his shoulder blades, allowing him to soar like a bird should it please him. He had knobby knees, dimpled cheeks, a large, pointed nose, bright green eyes, and sandy-colored skin, only a bit tanner than Hinata's own. A longbow sat slung across his shoulder, cozied up next to a bountiful quiver of barbed arrows. He smiled brightly at the noble son's arrival, zipping forwards to greet him alongside Romuald. "Hinata! You're looking well! Welcome to our new home!" He beamed, though contrary to his friendly words, his body language was a bit nervous.
Next and last to join the parade were two women, walking side by side, though one lagging a bit more than the other due to their conflicting heights. The tallest overshadowed the other by about nine inches, and her long, floppy, and white-furred ears were evidence of her lapine blood. Her olive skinned, sweet and feminine face had high cheekbones, touched lightly with a natural pink flush and an unashamed smile. She was called Liliana, and she sauntered along with the refined gait of a graceful fighter. Two paper fans were set by her sides, and though he'd never seen her use them, the rogue bunny girl had them decked out with deadly blades, and most definitely knew what to do with them. Her curvy breasts and butt were hardly accentuated by her long kimono, nor was the inevitable bulge of her crotch, but they were definitely still there, while smooth auburn hair spilled down to her back.
The second and last woman was a petite 5'0". Fawn-skinned and virtually curveless, the human sorcerer called Romalyn had a gnarled wooden staff swinging at her sides. Her loose robes were a deep satin blue, while a stereotypical mint-blue wizard's hat sat oversized on her head out of novelty. It covered most of her wavy white hair, shoulder length like Hinata's, while clunky brown boots covered her feet and legs up to the thigh. Resting in a leather pouch that she checked religiously was her pet mouse, Henrietta, a brown-furred little darling of a rodent. Romalyn spoke first. From the way she carried her smaller self, it definitely seemed that she was the one running the show. "Come on, you two. Lay off of him."
Her words hardly dissuaded Liliana as she chimed in too. "Hinata! Or, I guess Lord Hinata now! How've you been? How's the family?"
"Oh- uh!" Romuald jabbed Liliana in the side, clearing his throat regretfully. "We're sorry for your loss."
The others ground their heels into the dirt, looking shamefacedly to the floor in response to their own poor timing. Romalyn only shook her head, knowing this would happen.
