Work Text:
After a long day of reconnaissance, Scarlet returned to the resistance camp. The leader of the Chevois resistance jumped off her wyvern, when she noticed a commotion at the gate.
“Hey Scarlet!” the guard called out, “There’s someone here to see you.”
Scarlet walked to the gate, and saw a figure standing there. “Hey!” she called out. The figure turned around, and she gasped internally.
Standing there was the most beautiful man she had laid her eyes on. His long, dark hair waved in the breeze, highlighted by the evening light. He was dressed in foreign attire. At his hips was a simple Hoshidan-styled sword, along with a bundle wrapped in white cloth.
“My name is Ryoma. I would like to join your group,” he said simply.
“I see,” she replied, sizing him up. He looked like he was from Hoshido. Why would someone from Hoshido want to join the Chevois resistance? How did he even find out about them? If the information about them leaked into the wrong hands…
“Here,” he continued, and handed her a bouquet of red tulips. “I heard it’s tradition to offer flowers when joining your group.”
“Oh!” Scarlet relaxed; it seemed that he knew about the secret initiation at least. But as she looked at the flowers, she started to blush. Red tulips. In Cheve’s flower language, it meant ‘eternal love’. What is he trying to say…? She looked up from the flowers to him. His face did not betray any emotions.
Scarlet looked into his eyes. His dark grey eyes were somber and serious, but they were clear and held no lies.
She decided that it would be ok to trust him. “Alright, follow me,” she gestured as she led him into the camp.
“But before I let you join,” she put down the flowers and picked up some wooden weapons. She tossed him a sword, guessing that was his preferred weapon. “Let’s see what you’re capable of.”
She decided to go with a lance. “If you beat me in a duel, I’ll let you join.”
He studied the sword in his hand, and nodded.
“Whoever makes their opponent give up wins,” she continued, “And I want you to give it your all. I won’t go easy on you either.”
They walked to the training area, and stood at opposite sides of the field. Hearing the commotion, people gathered around to watch. Some people snickered. This guy stood no chance; there was a reason Scarlet was the leader, she was one of their strongest fighters.
Scarlet gripped her weapon and studied her opponent. His Hoshidan-style armor was light, more suited for movement and agility than defense. She would tell he was well-built under that armor, and he was probably used to combat. Still, she was confident that she would have no trouble winning against this stranger, especially since her lance has farther reach than his sword.
“Hey Christof,” she called out to her second-in-command, “You be the judge, ok?”
The man in armor nodded. He held up a hand and counted down. “Ready…go!”
Scarlet lunged toward her opponent, aiming her lance at his torso.
He deftly dodged and parried her attacks, moving so fluidly that it would have made Scarlet stare in awe, if they weren’t in the middle of a duel.
She watched him carefully, studying his movements, waiting for an opening. There! She aimed for his legs…only for her lance to be blocked by his sword.
With a quick flick of his wrists, he knocked the lance out of Scarlet’s hand. It went flying as she stumbled backwards. She braced herself with one knee on the ground.
“Heh, you’re good,” she said as she wiped sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. “But I’m not done yet!” She stared up at him, carefully watching him as he walked closer, to deliver a final blow.
But before he could do so, Scarlet grabbed a fistful of sand and tossed it up into his face. It had the desired effect, as he blocked his face with a hand. Using this opportunity, Scarlet quickly scampered along the ground, grabbed her weapon, and circled behind him.
I’ve got you now! She jumped up, raising her lance for the killing blow…!
…Except he was no longer where she thought he was. He seemingly disappeared in the cloud of dust.
Where…? How could he move so fast?
Before she could orient herself, she felt something press against her throat. Her eyes darted around, and it was then she realized she had lost. Ryoma was on her left, holding his sword up to her neck. If this was a real fight, she would be dead.
She sighed and lowered her hands in defeat. “I give up, you win.”
He simply nodded, and lowered his weapon.
“Ugh,” Scarlet let out a sigh of frustration. “I thought I had you there.”
“I’m not sure if I appreciate the dust,” he replied, running his fingers through his hair to get rid of the dirt.
She laughed. “Is that unusual? I said I wouldn’t hold back. In battle, you gotta use every advantage you can get.”
He looked contemplative, unsure if he agrees with her.
“In any case, since you won, you can join.” She held out her hand. “Name’s Scarlet, nice to meet you.”
“Thank you, Miss Scarlet,” he took her hand and gave a firm shake.
Scarlet gave him a tour, and helped him get settled. For someone who seemed to have travelled from Hoshido, he didn’t have a lot of luggage with him. But she didn’t pry. The resistance was made up of all sorts of people, each with their own motivations.
It was dinner time. Scarlet was running late after listening to a scout’s report. She was curious about their newcomer.
She found him sitting at a table amongst a crowd of people. It seemed that he had already made friends. Many people have witnessed his duel with Scarlet, and wanted to know more about his technique. Her first impressions of him was that he was someone with few words, but apparently he was quite the opposite; he answered questions and laughed with the others.
She waited until the crowd around him dissipated, before sitting down next to him. “Hey Mr Popular, mind if I sit here?”
He nodded and shifted over to make room for her.
“So, I’m glad you’re making friends already.”
He smiled politely. “Yes, it’s quite the interesting mix of people you have gathered here.”
Scarlet laughed. “Yes, well, we have all sorts of people here. We need capable fighters, but also people good at intel, and cooking, and healing…Really, I’m grateful for everyone’s support.”
“And you, Miss Scarlet, I’m impressed that you’re able to keep them all in check.”
Oh. Scarlet blushed. “I do what I can,” she replied, hoping he didn’t see her blush.
“If I may ask,” instead, she changed the subject, “What brings you here? I assume you’re from Hoshido, yes?” He nodded. “I’m aware that Hoshido is at war with Nohr, but why join my little band?”
He didn’t answer right away, and Scarlet was starting to wonder if he was offended. She didn’t mean to pry, but she was curious.
“When I was young, my father was killed by Garon. And recently my mother died due to Garon’s machinations,” he finally answered. His face didn’t show much emotion, but she could see the anger in his eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” she answered softly. Her own parents died in the war when she was young.
“I heard rumors about a resistance group here in Cheve, and decided to check it out myself.” Ryoma continued. “I need intel for the area. Will you cooperate with me for a while? In exchange, I will help your group however I can.”
“I see.” Scarlet sensed there was something more he wasn’t telling her, but he did propose a mutually beneficial plan, and if nothing else, they have a common enemy. He had already proved to be a capable fighter, she was sure she could put him to use. “Sure, why not.”
“Thank you.” He finally smiled.
“Say, where did you learn how to fight like that?” she asked. He certainly didn’t seem like a regular citizen. Was he a mercenary of some sort?
“My father taught me from a young age,” he had a faraway look in his eyes, “After he died, I…There were other instructors, and a lot of it was self-taught.”
“Ah, I’m also self-taught,” she replied. “My parents used to be knights, and I wanted to be like them.” She flashed a confident grin, “Even so, I’m pretty confident in my skills; I won’t lose to those formally trained.”
“Do you… duel everyone who wants to join the resistance?” he eyed her.
She laughed, “Not always.” Her tone turned more serious. “But I would like to know that the people I fight with can take care of themselves, you know? Out here, we run into a lot of life-and-death situations. I won’t deploy someone who can’t hold their own. As their leader, I have a responsibility for their lives.”
He considered her words, and nodded. “I see. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Yeah I know,” she replied, still frustrated that she lost. “I even used a lance instead of my usual axe… Sorry I kind of underestimated you.”
He laughed. “Hey, I also used a weapon I’m not used to. Nohrian swords feel very different.” She glared at him, was he saying that he won despite being handicapped??
Then she sighed, she shouldn’t be such a sore loser; she should be glad he was on their side, and was willing to lend them his strength.
“Are Hoshidan swords that different?” she asked instead.
“Oh, yes!” Ryoma replied enthusiastically. It seemed that she found a subject he was passionate about. He took out the sword by his side and started showing her all the differences and nuances of Hoshidan swords.
Scarlet listened with interest, and they chatted away into the night. She smiled to herself; it seemed that she had found quite the interesting new recruit indeed.
