Felinis: Heavy amounts of dialogue and feels dead ahead! gather thy tissues and comfort creampuffs

Yuri finds he can't move for far longer than he thought. His lower body is wracked with pain and he's forced to lie on his side until Judith can come rescue him. It's pathetic! Yuri should not be defeated by his body crapping out, but here he is at the mercy of others. Trapped on the ground until someone can drag his ass around. He hates it so damn much! It takes some effort for Judith and Karol to carry Yuri onto the bed. He keeps protesting that he can walk if they support him, but after what went on in the Sands of Kogorh Yuri's friends are reluctant to trust him on the matter. Okay, so he collapsed unable to walk a few times, but that's no excuse for thinking he needs coddling.

"I could make some oden?" Patty offer and he just repeats that he's fine. Yuri is hungry, but what happened with Patty must have been a fluke because he was back to vomiting everything shortly after. There's not much choice for him other than lying on the bed while Estelle massages the muscles and asks about his pain. Yuri wants to just sleep it off but he's forced to lay on his stomach and it's uncomfortable.

Estelle doesn't hesitate in feeling around his hips or ass in her search to discover what's wrong with him. His muscles all seem fine but his bones they seem to be subtly shifting. "Especially in the waist, I'm not sure how much that'll effects your ability to walk." There's a dread in him with those words. If Yuri can't walk he might as well be an invalid. There is no universe where Yuri Lowell can't walk! The idea alone is nightmare fuel.

"Either way you're definitely gonna need to pull up that cowl." Rita notes holding up a compact mirror. Yuri looks at his cheek and jawline where in platter marks that fur seems climbing up his neck. Lovely, it's around his mouth as well. Yuri isn't vain, at least he's never thought that of himself, but he's ashamed of his face. He can see the slight changes occurring around his eyes and nose. His nose is a little longer his eyes rounder. The way his mouth doesn't close comfortably with his teeth; or how his ears are different from Judith's. They've never really been growing outwards just getting longer; the skin getting thinner and thinner. It's decided that dinner is in order and everyone leaves to get some, but Yuri knows better. After all, he can hear the conversation from the bedroom. He's running a fever again and he's so pissed at everything.

"I'm worried. Yuri has barely eaten anything in over a week. He's not sick, but I think his body is eating itself." Estelle mutters sadly. "Otherwise where is he getting all this energy? His body has to pulling the resources from somewhere."

"Remember how after Torim he could barely stop eating." Karol says. "Then all of a sudden he kept skipping meals. That started at Keiv Moc, I'm sure of it."

"But why?"

"Aer. He ate aer at the Weasand of Cados. Wouldn't it make sense that his body's trying wean itself purely onto aer if Entelexeia use that for nourishment." Rita suggests.

"So what? We park him at an aer krene every time he gets hungry? Sound a little ridiculous to me." Raven states dryly. "Besides, it's not my job to babysit him."

There's a silence for a good while.

"But, we're friends… And he's a Brave Vesperia member! We can't just ignore this."

Rita clicks her tongue and huffs. "Oh, so what should we do? Did you not see his face? He's only going to get worse. It be better to leave him with someone who actually knows how to deal with this."

"What would you suggest?" Judith says with an 'oh'.

"I don't know! Leave him with Belius or take him to a research lab. Find a person who actually knows what they're doing."

Estelle's voice quivers. "You mean abandon him! Rita, we can't do that Yuri is our friend!"

"You have a better idea?"

"Well no…"

"Look, I'm just saying this is a little over our heads." Rita sighs.

"And, it's kind of scary." Karol admits hesitantly. "I want to help, but it's terrifying to look Yuri in the eye. I know he's my friend and I want to help… but I'm kind of with Rita on this one."

"Leave this to me." Judith states firmly. "I think I know just the place; there's lots of Krytians there who'd be more than happy to take care of him."

"Aren't you all forgetting something?" Patty finally speaks.

Raven hums. "What would that be?"

"Yuri's thoughts on the matter. You all keep talking like he's some treasure to divvy up or put on display, but he's a person with thoughts and feelings; more importantly opinions. Isn't talking like this what makes people think Krytains are second class citizens? I'm ashamed of this lot, Judith you especially! Yuri is perfectly fine, sure a bit quirky here and there, but he's no different than the lot of ya. Talkin' of shipping him off! Disgraceful!" Yuri hears a smack. "And, you! Babysitting! Yuri is a grown man not a toddler." There's a silence so palatable Yuri can hear it from here. "He's allowed to steer his own fate. Let him do what he wants to do and choose how he'll handle things from here. Otherwise you're just meddling in his fate."

"I'm sorry." Karol mutters.

"Well don't go apologizing to me. Go tell that to Yuri."

"You're right." Rita says softly.

"Man, being told off by a kid… I'm the worst." Rita doesn't even bother with a retort.

There's a sigh and then Judith opens her mouth. "You're right. That was awful of me to say."

It's silent for a time and then there's the muttering of the innkeeper apologizing for the wait on their food. Something about not having a lot of extra food on hand because of the magistrate. "That Cumore punk is a really lousy guy." Rita spits.

"Aye. Why are there so many lousy guys like him out there?"

"It's probably like a disease." Judith sneers.

"If you consider being dim-witted a disease, then definitely." Patty supplies.

"You catch on quick. That's got to be it." Rita says.

There's a hum for the old man. "I wonder why they're trying to capture Phaeroh."

"I don't know, but..." Estelle says and Yuri can only guess she's clasping her hands in worry. "At this rate, they're going to send all of the adults in the town out into the desert."

"And once the adults are gone, it might be the children's turn, next." Judith states with underlying hate.

"No, that can't happen!" Estelle exclaims hitting the table followed by the sound of hushing. "If I just spoke to him as a representative of the imperial family...!"

"Are you forgetting what happened in Heliord?" Judith states firmly.

"Yeah, Estelle. He didn't care that you were the princess at all." Karol adds.

"He ain't some sharp, obedient guy who'll lend an ear to what the lady's got ta say."

"What about going to Nordopolica?" Patty asks lightly.

Rita sighs. "So should we help the townspeople, or should we help ourselves?"

There's a protest from Estelle, but Judith speaks. "Don't you want to know the truth about the Child of the Full Moon? If so, you should put this whole business with Cumore out of your mind for the time being."

There's a light sad laugh. "It's a strange feeling to be agreeing with you, but... I think we should focus on meeting Belius for now. Even if we captured Cumore, we wouldn't have the authority to try him for his crimes. If we can't do anything about him, we should focus on what we actually can do."

"If only Flynn were here..." Estelle sighs.

"Flynn... But where is he...?" Karol mutters.

"I wish I knew..."

"Guess we can't kill two birds with one stone this time." Patty grumbles.

"I'm sorry, Estelle... We don't mean to be ganging up on you." Rita says. "It disgusts me, too, to imagine that jerk snoring all nice and cozy in his bed right now. But..."

"Rita...I understand."

"Lock up a guy like that, and as soon as he's released he'll just end up doing the same thing again." Judith says crossly.

"Yep. You know what they say...the only cure for stupidity is death." Raven states firmly.

As Yuri lays on the bed the words curl in on him. It's true a slap on the wrist is really all Cumore would get before he'd be back to his old tricks. No matter what Flynn does it would all end the same as with Ragou. Even if Flynn can keep arresting Cumore it's like he said to him earlier. It's all just a bunch of political knots that would take years to untangle. Years Yuri neither wants to wait nor has the time to do so. If anything, he's doing the world a favor. It's wrong and he knows it, but Yuri's fine staining his hands to deal with an asshole like Cumore. Yeah, he's fine with that. He'll be pretty much dead soon enough anyway. "The only cure for stupidity is death..."

Repede sits up from the floor glaring at him. "Yuri, I know what you're thinking, but it's not right! Let Flynn handle this!"

"This guy deserves it."

"I don't care! Recklessness only brings more recklessness." Repede jumps on the bed and is staring him down in the eyes. "You may think it's fine to run around doing what you like, but your actions have consequences." Yuri rolls his eyes. "Don't roll your eyes at me! Just because you're going through this doesn't mean you have an excuse to throw away your life!"

"I'd just planning on punishing the unjust. Isn't that the guild laws?"

"And what part of murder is just?"

Yuri sits up and growls slowly baring his teeth. "It's just because the ends justify the means."

Repede seems to sigh. "Is this really what you want to do?"

"Yes."

Repede jumps from the bed and opens the door. "I won't stop you, but you're being a shortsighted fool."

"I'm fine with that." He waits till they're asleep before he slips out the window into the cool night air. He It's easy enough to figure out where Cumore is; Yuri just heads for the largest building in town. It's not too hard to slip past the guards. They're all standing around being stupid and drinking on the job. It's disgusting! He climbs inside and heads into the man's room. He can't believe the man is in here asleep in his pompous nightgown.

Yuri kicks the bedpost roughly and the man bolts awake. Gross, the Cumore sleeps with a face mask. "Y-y-you're! No! Yuri, it's you!" He pulls up his blankets nervously and Yuri tastes the fear in the air. "Wh-what are you doing here?!" Yuri raises his swords and Cumore fumbles from the bed backing against the wall. "Someone! Someone come quick!"

But, it's pointless for him to call, because none of his guards would possibly hear him from here so he tries to laugh Yuri off. "Y-you would cross swords with a noble? You a filthy Krytian!" He reaches for the ridiculously ornate sword by the nightstand and draws it standing up. His entire body is trembling and Yuri could almost laugh at how pathetic it is. A terrible stance, a grip a child would mock, and a sheen on his blade that tells Yuri he's never used it once in his life. This man has never earned the title as a captain.

The blade falls so easily and the idiot keeps blathering and all Yuri can do is darkly laugh at his face. "You talk too much, Cumore. The time's come for you to make your exit."

"D-do you have any idea the trouble you're in for even pointing that thing at me!?" Cumore cries and when Yuri goes to strike again the coward runs bolting out the nearest exit. It's not even a chase Cumore's not fast and Yuri just follows as the man edges up to one of the roped off sand pits.

"W-wait!" He pleads waving his hands desperately. "I'm not the one to blame! I've just been following orders! I had no choice!"

Disgusting. "Then don't hate me. Hate whoever gave you your orders."

Cumore smiles and laughs trying so hard to stave off death. "W-wait! How about this?! I could use my authority to pardon all of your crimes! A fresh start! I may even be able to have you reinstated as a Knight! I'll make everyone forget to care about you being a Krytian! I have no shortage of money. With enough money, I'm sure I could satisfy your every wish." Cumore is crying in desperation like a spoiled child. "Go ahead! Tell me what it is you want!"

"There's only one thing I want from you."

Relief spreads over the man's face as he gets down on his knees to beg. "A-and what might that...?" Yuri walks forward and Cumore crawls backwards. "N-no, stop... Stay back! Don't come any closer, you beast!" He covers his face and turns away like the coward he is. "I am Cumore, a captain of the Imperial Knights! The man destined to become Commandant!"

In the end Yuri doesn't even have to cut Cumore's flesh. He falls back into the sandpit screaming. Yuri remembers the innkeeper and townsfolk warning them about it. Thing is people don't drown in sand. Not easily. That's not what kills people; no, it's the caverns the sand is falling into that due them in. If a person can survive the drop then dehydration will get them in a few days. It's worse than dying in the desert; at least out there a man has hope someone will save them before they die. Cumore is desperately trying to scramble out of the rushing sand. "I-I beg you! Spare my life!" And, then Cumore just stops climbing looking at Yuri like he's seen the devil. Maybe right now, Yuri truly looks the part. "P-please, no! Not like this! I-I don't want to go like this!"

"Tell me, how many times have you heard those very words?" Cumore sinks further and further till nothing is left to be seen in the sand pit. Good riddance. Yuri hears the sound of footsteps behind him and he catches that familiar scent he knows all too well.

"My people have taken control of things here. The residents of this town won't suffer any longer." Flynn says coldly.

"That ought to put you one step closer to your next promotion. I'm heading back to the others." Yuri says waving a hand.

"Yuri, we need to talk later."

"...I know."

"I'll be waiting...down at the lake."

They don't look at each other as Yuri walks past him. The others haven't even realized he had gone more than outside the room. The quiet town bursts into celebration with fireworks and music. It's a party that everyone is dancing with a thrill and stuffing their face with food. Booze flows in all the cups; even Karol gets in on it as the people enjoy themselves. Yuri doesn't dance or join in. He chooses instead to stay in the back and watch Estelle and Rita prance about having a good time. Patty is stuffing away her face; laughing away with townsfolk that might have hated her only yesterday as rolls down dice. Raven's running around with the little kids showing off party tricks. Judith is drinking heartily with Karol and socializing with the knights who seem clearly taken aback on what to do with a beautiful Krytian woman. Yuri's idly sipping a light beer

just leaning against a wall. He sees Flynn talk with his troops in passing, but doesn't approach. Doesn't want to. Repede's hanging out with the other dogs talking politics of all things. It is seriously weird how animals can talk economics and foreign policy.

The party goes on and Yuri enjoys the music and fireworks. The party is going well past midnight and everyone just ends up back at the inn as exhaustion officially takes its toll.

"Who'd have guessed this town could ever be this lively?" Karol hiccups with a bubbly grin.

Judith stretches with a yawn. Her lips curl into a Cheshire grin. "Yes. It's a great relief to know the people here can live freely again."

"I'm still in shock that Flynn actually came." Estelle exclaims.

Karol nods. "That was amazing timing."

"But Cumore might just cause more pain somewhere else." Estelle says her smile fading a little.

Karol just laughs. "You watch. Flynn'll have that guy behind bars in no time." He nudges Yuri with his elbow. "Right, Yuri?"

"...Oh, uh, yeah."

"...Yuri...?" Karol raises a brow. "Are you okay? If you need anything just let us know."

Yuri ruffles Karol's hair. "It's all good! Just thinking about stupid things."

Karol looks over at Raven who's slumped asleep on the floor with bottles strewn next to him and streamers on his face. "Raven, you're gonna catch a cold."

"He wore himself out playing with all the children. You'd think he was twelve years old." Judith says tossing a blanket over him.

The door to the inn opens and Rita strides with beaded necklaces around her neck and flowers tied in her hair. The townsfolk were tossing out various thing and painting faces. Festival stuff… Estelle's in a similar with hearts painted all over her cheeks and braids tied with glass beads. "They're still going out there. I can't keep up with them." Rita says with a slight yawn.

"What about Patty?"

"She's still dancing around. What do you expect from kids?"

"I saw you having a good time, though." Karol smirks and then says in a teasing tone. "You're an awesome dancer, Rita."

Her cheeks turned flush and she smacks the kid on the head. "Shut up." Rita stops and looks at Raven snoring away. "Huh? The old man's asleep already?"

Estelle smiles. "She got over that fast." Yuri starts to head out and when Estelle asks he just says he's going to see Flynn.

At the lake Flynn is sitting there calmly at the oasis staring out at the calm blue waters. "Why don't you have a seat?"

Yuri complies sitting with his back to the blonde. "You said we needed to talk?"

Tell me... Why did you kill Cumore? You know it's not our place to pass sentence on the crimes of others." Flynn's voice is calm one might even say the tone is nice like a parent might use. Yuri knows better. Flynn's voice is laced in ice that chills the marrow. "He was to be punished in accordance with the laws!"

"And just what laws do you think would have punished him?" Yuri replies menacingly. "The same laws that failed to punish Ragou? Give me a break." Flynn looks back at him looking at Yuri's eyes and he realizes it as Yuri stands stretching his arms. "The laws have always been the tools of whoever happens to hold all the chips."

Flynn thrust upward blocking his path. "Just saying that doesn't make it right for individuals to judge right from wrong, or for you to operate your own private court of law! If the laws are at fault, then fixing those laws comes first. It's for that very reason that I'm still with the Imperial Knights!"

"Some do gooders that lot is." Yuri scoffs. "Hey, remind me; do you have to walk around with a chip claiming you're a registered Krytian? Or worry the townspeople might kill you and your precious knights will just watch? There's no laws protecting people like me and Judith. There were no laws benefiting the lower quarter so knights couldn't just ignore us or beat people up. People would get themselves arrested just so they wouldn't have to starve to death; isn't that ironic? All that group can do is fight back on their own and be victimized. That's why I don't feel wrong for killing Cumore. I'd even do it ten or twenty times if I had to."

"Why would you do that? Why would you act so rashly and take the law into your own hands?" Flynn yells harshly. "With enough time we can work together to-"

"I don't have time!" Yuri screams pulling down the cowl from his mouth. It's already coating parts of his face like a festering wound he can't remove. Everyone whispering like he's already some animal to put in a zoo. Yuri just wants to do something right while he still has time. He needs this because it's the only thing he can do in the now! "I'm not like you Flynn. I can't sit and wait for the empire to change! Right now, this is what I need to do so more people don't suffer before it's too late." He's trembling and Yuri hates it because it's so unlike him, but he can't help it. "I don't have any time to waste on political games or legality anymore." But, he never had the luxury of time to begin with.

Flynn's eyes narrow as he looks at the fur starting to coat Yuri like a diseased second skin. "I understand why you took action, but that's no excuse! You should have left that to the courts to decide! Are you happy being a murderer, Yuri? Doing that makes you no different than a monster!"

Yuri feels bubbling rage fill his throat at the hypocrisy. "Hey... who was it who framed Garista's death on a freak blastia explosion and let me stab him through the chest? You seemed okay taking justice into your own hand back then."

Flynn flinches. "That was different!"

"Because your dad was involved! Because, you had a fucking grudge to settle! I did it for the Captain's sake, but you- oh, you did that for yourself." Yuri grins with viscous rage at the blonde inching closer. "Who's the one who said we should scam people by selling off my hair and horns?"

"We were trying to survive!"

"That's bullshit and you know it! We would have had enough without that money, but you insisted after I saved your life to keep risking mine. You're the one who insisted on me stealing! You're the one who said the ends justified the means. If you ask me that's not very just."

Flynn snaps and punches Yuri in the jaw then the stomach and he takes it stoically. "That's different! We were kids!"

"Oh, fuck off with your hypocrisy! You goaded Estelle into breaking and entering in Nor Harbor; and had I been fine you would have done the same with me!" Yuri snarls and grabs Flynn by the collar and with more rage than he ever thought could live within him punches the knight to the ground. "I hate you! I hate you so fucking much! You always pretend you're above every fucking thing!" Yuri keeps beating into Flynn's perfect pretty boy face with his fists. "Look around, people are abused by the system every day! You want to just shrug and say to people 'Sorry you had to die we'll fix that soon?' What good does that do?! I know this is wrong! I know I'm a criminal! I know I don't have the right to judge! But who's worse? Me or the guy standing back brown nosing to a bunch of fucks!"

Yuri stops, heaving with his bloody fists dangling at the side. Your move, Flynn. The blonde just spits out blood and casts a healing arte on broken tooth setting back in place. The wounds are healed and Flynn's blue eyes just burrow into Yuri's skin. Stop looking at him like that! Like Flynn was somehow better! Like Yuri was something to pity! Like Yuri would always be beneath Flynn! "I'm sorry."

"What?" Yuri says getting ready to punch Flynn and his smarmy mouth.

Flynn takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry that you feel that way." Flynn's fist gob smacks him throwing him down into the water. "But, it's no excuse! You're being childish! Grow up and realize how stupid staining your hands like this is!"

"I don't care!" Yuri spits because it really doesn't matter anymore.

Flynn kicks him in the stomach. "Do you intend to rain your justice down on all the villains of the world? Walk up to every person you see as villainous and stab them in the gut? Ignore the consequences of what you're doing because it'll fix things then and now. Do you know what killing Cumore would have done if anyone, but me saw you? They'd have an open season on the Union and any Krytian they could get their hands on. You could have started a war, twice, if you hadn't been lucky." Yuri sits up and lunges but Flynn just elbows him in the neck; Yuri falls back in the water again. "And even knowing that, you intend to dirty your hands."

"Intend to? I already have." Yuri coughs getting up again.

Flynn just looks sad as he walks out of the water. "So this is the path you've chosen."

"Don't make me repeat myself."

"I won't. But it seems you don't yet understand the full weight of your choices..." Flynn straightens out his crooked collar as he stands on the dry shore. "You didn't even bother considering what you could have done to Lady Estellise. You said you care about her and would protect her; but did you even think what would happen if it turned out she was friends with a murderer?" Yuri doesn't speak or bother leaving the waves. "As a knight, I cannot overlook your crimes. As a friend, I won't allow you to perform more senseless self-destruction."

Before Flynn can pull his blade the lieutenant from Torim runs up; Yuri quickly pulling up the cowl. She stops and looks between them, but just brushes it off. "Captain, I've finally found you."

"What is it?" His tone is professional and you'd never guess he was upset moments ago.

"Our barricade of Nordopolica has been completed. Also, it appears that the Hunting Blades are on the move. Sir, we must go to Nordopolica quickly." Flynn looks between the two of them and just nods leaving Yuri behind. The bush behind him rattles as Repede runs out followed by Estelle squeaking for him to come back.

When he looks at her Estelle laughs awkwardly and then hangs her head in shame. "So, you heard it all?"

"I'm sorry."

"Are you afraid of me, Estelle?" Estelle stiffens at the question. She has all the right to fear him. Yuri is inhuman and a part of him wants her dead. He hates that part, but it still exists in the back of his head. "If you are, you can quit right here. Join Flynn and go back to the castle."

Estelle raises her head and for the first time since they arrived in Nordopolica does she look him in the eyes. "...I'm not going back." She takes a deep breath. "...It's true the things you've done are against the law. And you do scare me! I don't like it, but you do… it's not natural and the worry I have feels like it might drive me insane. It's also true that your actions saved the lives of others..."

"You never know, someday I might turn my blade on you." His words are dry and there's truth in them.

Estelle just smiles that same angelic grin. "You'd never do something like that without a reason. If you ever end up pointing your sword at me, I'm sure I will have done something to deserve it."

Yuri swallows backing away. "There's no guarantee. I'm a monster after all."

"But, you're not." The words take him off guard. The tone is so assured- so trusting- so loving. "You're Yuri Lowell. A man from the lower quarter of Zaphias. A member of Brave Vesperia. An incredible swordsman with a good heart. A vigilante at large. An amazing cook." He's not sure when, but Estelle has pulled Yuri into a warm hug. The kind that has tears pricking his eyes because he hadn't realized how much he needed it. "But, most importantly you're my friend. My dear friend. I'm going to continue on this journey with you. It's what I want. Traveling with you, I know I'll find the right path for myself, too. Even if time is short." She pulls back kissing him with a light peck on the cheek like Norien used to. "So what I'm thinking is..." Estelle holds out a hand. "Here's to the road ahead."

He takes it firmly and he means it when he says "Thanks." His eyes dry now. Patty is right; when the going gets tough the tough don't cry.

Felinis: i'm just gonna admit that the feud was written before any of the Mantaic arc... The original argument is actually fairly calm, but in this universe I think Yuri's definitely justified in being a bit more emotional. So I turned up the drama and brought in more things into the fight... The feels with Estelle were totally off the cuff and written at 2 am... lol