Reviews: Tales of Brothers: Hey!
So sorry for only reviewing now, but weirdly my phone didn't really allow me to post anything ._.
Concerning the fic, I think it's pretty cool. The frequent updates are a relief and I like the plot very much so far. I just hope it isn't going to be YuriXEstelle, 'cause I kinda dislike both the pairing and the girl.
Apart from that, great job with Tai's character, he's quite interesting ;3
Now I really hope they're gonna be in time to help dear Flynn...keep up the good work please! :)
To be honest, I'm not planning on Yuri and Estelle being together in this story, because one: If it didn't happen in the game, I don't do it. And two: not really a romantic writer. XP And thanks for the compliment on Tai: If you feel he should be changed or emphasized in a certain way, feel free to tell me. And now, back to the story.
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The woods were very still and quiet, barely letting any sunlight inside the treetops. It was very dark and secluded... quiet... beautiful... a place for Tai's eyes to just take in the glory that was wonderful. This lonely quiet area of woods made him relax and unwind a bit in his posture. But he stayed close to the group. He was still unfamiliar with this place.
"Wow... this sure brings back memories, Estelle," Yuri said, catching his eye as the man smiled.
"Yes... we traveled through Quoi Woods to get to Halure, when we first ever visited there," the princess smiled and responded with delight.
"And where we met Karol for the first time. 'Prepare to die, eggbear!' Heh," Yuri said, imitating someone they knew, then chuckling as Estelle laughed with him.
"And I guess you and I are just gonna lay back here while they reminisce on 'glory days', old man," Tai smirked to the person he talked to.
Itching his head with a sighing giggle, Raven closed an eye and grinned at him, as they followed quietly behind. They kept listening to Yuri and Estelle go on about how they remembered so much about how they first met in Zaphias Castle, how they escaped the knights, how they ended up traveling here... wow, their journey was pretty adventurous, wasn't it? It was a few sentences that would make Tai give Raven a pair of glares of a neutral answer of 'Is that true?' But the old man would shrug, since he wasn't a part of them at that time, so the teen would just shrug it off.
Not a lot of time passed until they got to the middle of the woods. A tiny space, Tai added to his noting of his surroundings but a wide space for them to relax and take a quick break. Sadly, they had no food or water so it was just a rest stop. As they got to the middle, the group stopped and turned to the apparent leader of the group.
"All right, I guess for now we'll take a breather," Yuri said, deciding to sit down.
"Fine by me," Tai said shrugging, walking over away from the group and by the broken structure, sitting against it.
A bit taken back the sudden shrug of being social hater, he watched the teen rest a leg on the ground and his other leg rested his right arm. The left arm hidden in his pocket, the kid silently rested with his eyes closed.
"Well, I guess he's comfy..." Yuri said, sighing at the behavior as he sat down.
Slight giggling from her part, Estelle sat on her legs next to him and said, "That's Tai for you. Anyways, I'm so happy to be traveling again. As much as I enjoy my new home of Halure, it's such a joy to return to the world and be able to visit many places again."
"Oh, yeah, been meaning to ask you about how things have gone," Yuri said, as Repede laid down near him, and Raven sat across from the two, "It must be pretty peaceful to live there, but how have you been doing?"
"Oh, very good," Estelle said cheerfully, "I've lived in a small room in the mayor's house. He lets me stay for free, and I get to continue my passion."
"Oh, that's right. You started writing books, didn't you?" he said, smiling at her.
"Yes, I have already several out, and children love my stories," she said, looking passionately about it, "I've been sent letters saying that I should do more and even write a story about our travels."
"Wait, really? About us?" Yuri blinked in a bit of shock, feeling a bit honored yet embarrassed.
"Really? You can tell people about Raven the Great and his dashin' good looks!" the old man said excited as he posed mighty and courageous (although he was still sitting), "If ya can, I'd like ya to say I'm tons muscular and I get the beautiful lady in the end, preferably Judith darlin'."
Seeing his absolute goofy self get so wrapped up into looking manly, Tai's face was forced into a smirk-turned-grin and started to laugh quietly. He shook his head at the old man and closed his eyes. Just the thought of Raven getting huge muscles just was funny to him. As he opened his eyes to look back, that dog was staring at him again. The grin faded into a feeling-stalked face, as the teen raised an eyebrow. But Repede kept looking at him, as if wanting of him to come over. Tai kept his gaze off him and pulled his hood over his eyes a bit more, causing the dog to not know if he's looking back, but that didn't erase the feeling of being watched for Tai.
"Um... I don't know, Raven," Estelle looked down, a bit uneasy on the wacked-out demands the old man had.
"This is supposed to be a story about what really happened; not fictional fairy tales that you create, old man," Yuri sighed in annoyance.
"Hey, a man can dream, can't he? Besides," Raven said, folding his arms and making a hilarious glare with his lips sticking out, "at least I know more about female psychology than you do."
"That may be so, but I'd rather not have me in a story with your perverted fantasies," Yuri said, smirking at his face, "Besides, all you do is whine and dream. You want yourself in the story? That's what you'll be portrayed as."
"Oh, come on. Learn to take a joke, Yuri," he was surprised to hear Tai say, as the group turned to look at him, "He's just kidding around with you guys. Besides, I bet he has some good parts."
Twice. Twice Tai has sort of scolded Yuri for teasing Raven. The man blinked in curiousity as the teen finished talking.
Raven grinned proudly and heroically as Estelle nodded, "Yes, he did help us through the Weasand of Cados, gave us information on guilds that Karol didn't know, and much more," and then upon looking at the teen, said worriedly, "Are you okay over there by youself?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just chilling," Tai nodded and relaxed, closing his eyes.
"You know, you don't have to be so anti-social. You can hang around us; we don't bite or anything, not even Repede," Yuri said, trying to get him to come over.
"Nah, I'm good," Tai waved with his right hand and went back to relaxing.
Snorting a bit in disappointment and a frown, Yuri muttered quietly, "Gee, Tai, moody much?"
"Yuri..." Estelle scolded, but was awarded with no attention.
"Well, then," Raven said, grinning and getting up, drawing all their attention, "If you're not gonna com' to us, ol' Raven's gonna com' to ya."
It caused Tai to smile and look at him, as he sat down next to him and the two loudly had a conversation together. It made the city man, his dog, and the princess sit in silence just watching them for several moments. Yuri shook his head and looked back at her.
"Okay, what is up with that? How come Tai acts like being around people burns, yet is so friendly near Raven?" he asked her.
"I haven't figured Tai out myself, Yuri," Estelle said, giving him an equally confused face, "He's very... choosing of who talks to or who he likes."
"But he defended the old man twice, Estelle," Yuri frustratedly smirked a bit at her, "The OLD MAN. He seriously likes Raven over us? I've got more dignity than he does," and then when a whine came out of Repede, he pet him and continued, "Yeah, and Repede says he pays more attention to the old man than him. We feel offended, you know?"
"Well... you and Repede are not exactly the friendliest and nicest when it comes to people and you're kind of shady yourselves, Yuri..." Estelle thought in her head, as if the the truth was slapping them in the face yet they didn't know, but then said, "I guess Raven is just really outgoing and sometimes people just click together. Ever since they met in Deidon Hold, they've been incredible friends."
The man looked back to see Raven and Tai just talking and laughing together, without a care about anyone around them. It seemed the old man was telling stories to the teen, causing him to laugh at a few parts. Estelle still found it awkward, but she was happy for Raven that he finally found someone who he could talk to as they traveled and not get talked down to all the time.
"Well... whatever," Yuri gave up on him for now, "We'll rest for a few more minutes. Then, we need to get over to Flynn."
"Right, but I hope we're not too late," Estelle said, fidgeting with her fingers nervously a bit.
"Don't worry; Flynn's tough. He'll be fine," Yuri said, nodding to her, then looking away seriously to think, "Flynn, you better not make me a liar; don't get yourself killed before we even get there."
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Skit – Just like you
Estelle: (neutral face, closes eyes) Hehehe...
Yuri: (neutral face) What's so funny, Estelle?
Estelle: (opens eyes) Oh, Yuri. It's just that now that I think about it, I think Tai is just like you.
Yuri: (shoulders perk up, raises an eyebrow, surprised face) What makes you think Tai and I are alike?
Estelle: Well, think about it. You both are collected and calm most of the time, you both worry about the well-beings of people around you, you both have clever comebacks when someone says something rude, (Yuri leans his head to his left, incredulous face, closes eyes) and you guys have... well... attitude.
Yuri: (opens eyes) Estelle, I'd rather not be compared to somebody else, okay? Just let me be me.
Estelle: (smiles, her head turning to her left) Hehehe...
Yuri: (neutral face) What is it now?
Estelle: That's just something I can picture Tai saying.
Yuri: (head tilts to the right, upset face, closes eyes) And she's not listening...
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Skit – Rejected
Tai: (grumpy face, Repede's portrait is constantly getting closer to him and his portrait moves away) Hey, Yuri. Can you tell Repede to stop following me? (both portraits stop)
Yuri: (neutral face) He's just interested in you and wanting some attention. What's wrong with that?
Tai: I don't want him near me. (Repede moves closer) H-Hey, you! Back off! (moves away)
Repede: (barking upward, looks to the left) Woof! Woof woof woof!
Estelle: (looks surprised, Yuri's head tilts to the left, curious face) Huh? Tai, are you afraid of dogs?
Tai: Don't be foolish. I just don't like it when somebody gets up in my face. (Repede moves closer, furious face, gritting his teeth, moves away) Repede, I said quit it! (grumpy face)
Raven: (portrait comes in from the side, neutral face) Hey, Tai! Glad I caught ya. (Tai does neutral face) I needed yer help on somethin'. (head tilts to the right, smiling) Care to lend this old man a hand?
Tai: (smiles) Sure thing, Raven. (Their portraits go off-screen to the left).
Repede: (head tilts to the left, angry face) Grrrr... WOOF WOOF! (portrait goes off-screen after them)
Yuri: (shoulders perk up, raises an eyebrow, surprised face) Whoa... Tai IS the first person who Repede wants attention from. After being rejected like that, he's REALLY gonna try to get Tai to like him.
Estelle: (looks down, sad) I wish he'd take an interest in me...
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After a rest and social talking (even for our newcomer), the groups started to make their way towards the other side of the Quoi Woods. As they got closer to where they would exit the woods, they noticed a lack of... enemies. There were barely any monsters on this side of this place and soon they saw why.
"! Get into cover," Yuri said, literally yanking Estelle and Tai by the back of their clothing into some bushes, where Raven and Repede joined them.
As both teens tried to regain their senses after hitting the ground hard, they sat up and peeked through the bushes with the others to see that there were about five knights guarding the exit. Three had their backs turned, while two of them guarded the sides and paid attention to the pathway.
"Damn it, they have this area guarded, too?" Yuri asked quietly.
"The situation that Flynn is dealing with must be worse than we originally thought," Estelle added.
"Not to mention this further proves that this can't be just a simple miscommunication," Tai added on top of that as the group huddled together behind the bushes.
"I'm startin' to think this was plotted against Flynn," Raven said seriously as he looked back at the enemies.
"So who do you think are the ones going against Flynn? The ones blocking off the paths to him, or the one who told us what was going on in Zaphias?" Estelle asked, looking at Yuri for the probable answer.
"That knight said Flynn had it under control. If he really did, he wouldn't be blocking off the Quoi Woods and Deidon Hold," Yuri said, looking at her, "It must mean it's really bad."
"And if he's done that, I betcha he's blocked off the paths to Ehmead Hill and Aspio too," Raven added, making Yuri nod in agreement.
"Aspio? ! Rita!" Estelle said, gasping, having Yuri cover her mouth just in time to prevent her giving them away.
"Keep it down, Estelle," he warned, but agreeing, "But I do understand. Our genius mage might be spunky, but there's no way she could handle those monsters with the knights."
"I hope everyone in Halure is okay..." Tai looked down saying, causing Estelle to be even more afriad.
"Oh, no..." she only could mutter.
"If it's this bad, we can't waste anymore time. We need to get to Flynn," Yuri said courageously.
"But how are we gonna get past the guards? They're sure to stop us if we even get in their sights," Tai asked.
A silent answer was given to where Yuri looked at Repede and soon the two slowly crept to the guards through the covered trees and bushes. The three watched how the man slowly signaled for Repede to charge. Once he did, the dog jumped out of the leaves and took the two guards by surprise, slashing them and knocking them out cold. This caused the three others to turn around and see Repede growling at them.
"Wh-what the... a dog!?" one of them said, surprised like heck.
Suddenly, Yuri rushed to them and raised his sword and sending a blue energy wave at them.
"Azure Edge!"
It hit all three in a row, causing them to fall unconscious and Yuri to wave for the others to come. The three walked over: Raven not being impressed, Tai in shock, and Estelle... NOT HAPPY.
"Yuri! You can't just attack knights like that!" she scolded, stomping her foot down.
"Hey, we needed to get to Flynn, and we couldn't risk running for it and getting caught," Yuri said, shrugging it off.
As the princess fumed a bit poutingly, Raven folded his arms and said, "Still, it would've been a lot better for a heads up if you're gonna be doin' something reckless like that."
"I haven't done anything reckless, since the day I was born," Yuri said, smiling and closing his eyes.
"...Yeeeaaaah, Yuri? I think you have the definitions of the words 'reckless' and 'courageous' mixed up," Tai said, incredulous on what he just seriously said.
"Besides, those knights were put there for a reason, Yuri," Raven added on top of that, "That's to stop any monster from comin' in this way and possibly goin' to the other side to attack people. Ya just eliminated the people responsible for keepin' this guarded."
"Calm down, we didn't hit them HARD; they'll wake up in a bit," Yuri said, as he and Repede turned and started to run into the clearing, "Come on, let's hurry to Flynn."
"Ohhh, Yuri!" Estelle called out after him as she ran too.
"Haven't done anythin' reckless, since the day ya were born, huh?" Raven shook his head and followed.
Tai slowly looked at the guards, then at the people who we was traveling with leave him behind. With a sigh and determined look, he ran behind them, until who knows what problem awaited them.
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So, how is this chapter? Is it good? And what evil awaits the heroes on the other side? Keep reading to find out more!