Birth of a Paladin

[goddess_duet]

[...and while all this partying and such is going on, Viridi is nowhere to be seen nearby else. The reason is that she's a good distance away, in a quickly sprouting forest. All around, the plants looks like a video put in fast forward. She, however, is focused in a person nearby, even smaller than herself. She seems... unusually satisfied.]

Very good, Lucas. Very good! You're getting it pretty quickly. Now try helping that flower grow. She already wants to. You just have to give her a push.

[Indeed, there is a little kid there, with her, looking as focused as only a little kid can be he tries to do it, purple glow around his hands. He's clearly doing magic.]

[Want to happen around to comment, cheer... or if you're Cora, probably fume?]

Comments

[goddess_duet]

[Viridi simply waits while this is going on, trying very hard to not let a smug smile the size of Jupiter materialize on her face at Cora's anger]

That's it indeed. Don't worry, Anderson. He has his mother's stubbornness and a good bit more sense. He'll do fine.

[She motions Lucas to come closer to her, a bit away from his mom. These things have to be done on one's own, after all]

Well then, Lucas, have you taken your decision?

[paladin_robot]

...You know, its not that bad, Cora.

[Oh, hey, the other variety of paladin from this crazy crew. Guess he was hiding behind a tree trunk or something?]

I've been looking into nature magic myself, from my master's tome, but it'll take a while before I can really master anything. Your son... evidently has a knack for it. Once Viridi's gone, I could look after him and make sure his gift develops further.

[The Frenchman does crack a small grin.]

Plus... I could really, really use my first student.

[armored_mother]

[Lucas, looking as chipper as you would believe did part from Cora. A little anxiously at first but the more he thought about it the more spring was in his step. He paused though and looked confusedly at the newcomer.]



Huh?

[Another person who knows magic?]

Hey, I'm not against him learning Magic, I just have a few issues where he's learning it from... though admittedly I'm having a tough time deciding now. Last thing I need is my son learning from someone who went a little crazy with his powers. Mr. Truth's Sight.

[goddess_duet]

Do you people mind? We're kind of in the middle of something here, in case you didn't notice!

[paladin_robot]

Hey, hey, it was brief ego trip, and one I now know to make sure people avoid! At least I won't teach him that dropping giant plant bombs on cities is a viable strategy.

[...Wait, given present company...]

A-Anyway, he can't just be left to develop on his own once Viridi leaves! He's still young, and I know from experience that it was haphazard enough to learn solo. The boy needs a teacher, and unless you're willing to trust him to Roads, I'm the one best suited for it. I can help him expand his growth into other areas, light, fire, wind, the kind of elements that would help nature grow in a variety of conditions.

1/2

[goddess_duet]

Oh really now. Gee, that's such a relief coming from-

[goddess_duet]

[She interrupts herself, and takes a deep breath]

-okay, you know what? No. You're not going to screw up my first paladin. Lucas, come here. I'll shout at him after we're finished with the gifts.

[armored_mother]

This ougtha be good...



[Lucas looked back and forth before nodding.]

Okay Miss Viridi!

[Lucas really didn't get why they kept thinking Viridi would just leave him alone without some way to learn more. That'd be silly to him and His Mum said there was something weird about this person. Admittedly he was really curious as to what the Nature goddess meant by gifts.]

[goddess_duet]

Very good. [Viridi pointedly ignores Richard's existence for now. She begins explaining to the child instead] First, you have to make a promise. It's part of being a paladin. It means one who is sworn to a god - in this case, me. You have to promise to protect your world, and to uphold the balance of nature, with all your heart.

Here, extend your hand, put it on mine [she extends her hand], and make your oath.

[armored_mother]

[Promises, if anything this child most certainly knew the sheer weight of them with how his life was one that had all been dictated by them. He nods as he reaches out and rests his hand upon Viridi's. He heard stories about how knights were sworn, he even saw a few videos in the academy about some of the most famous knights in the Empire.]

[Something, everything about this. It was like the dream of every young britannian child come to life.]

I promise! I promise I'll protect the world and to uphold the balance of nature with all my heart Miss Viridi! I won't ever let you down!

[Elation. That was what he was feeling right now. It was like learning magic all over again... and seeing that look on Lucas' face was enough to have Cora put aside any misgivings she had about this and smile warmly.]

[goddess_duet]

I hear you. [For a second there, Viridi goes into business goddess voice, making the ground tremble and the plants around lean in to listen, even in her current extremely weakened state. It recedes as quick as it came, though.]

Look at your hand, Paladin of Nature! [And when he does, he's going to find this there, as if tattooed, in amber.] That is my sigil. It gives you power, and it means you speak in my name. With it, all creatures of nature will respect you. They'll know who sends you.

And now, let's see about your other gifts...

[paladin_robot]

...That's a point. Pit gets all sorts of weapons and abilities from Palutena, plus there was that robot that other god gave him.

...Not sure I like the idea of an actual kid in a robot though, and not just someone about as mature as one...

[armored_mother]

[Lucas admittedly nearly jumped at the sudden change of tone... but of course the voice of mother nature herself would be powerful indeed when it needs to be. His eyes went wide at the sight of the mark that was now on his hand. All creatures of nature would respect him. There was an excitement in his eyes. It was so very clear that whatever future field trips the Academy was going to have... Lucas was going to have a looot of interesting times indeed. He bowed to Viridi, as one would expect a knight to their lord... then waved at Cora with the biggest smile.]

Mum look! I've got one like you now!

[Cora paused, then grinned as she lightly pat her hand on the insignia of the Dullahan team - once a tattoo on her missing arm, now an emblem on her replacement.]

You better be proud of it Lucas! These things are for life! Especially yours!

Mhmm... who's Palutena? Is she friends with Miss Viridi?

[That's right... Lucas never met Palutena did he?]

Miss Viridi? Why's he talking about putting me in a robot?

[goddess_duet]

[Viridi gives Richard a murderous stare. Seriously, we're doing something here. She waves a hand... and three seconds later Richard is going to find a large buzzard flapping at him and pecking at his head with "grieeek" sounds]

THANK you. [In the meantime, while the buzzard keeps Richard busy, Viridi continues] Now let's see if we can get this finished without more interruptions from the peanut gallery.

Now, Lucas, when a paladin is made, he gets a weapon. It's normally a sword, with you humans. Personally, I don't like swords much. I'm a bit more... old fashioned. [She extends the fingers on one hand... and breaks one of her nails with the other. The nail shines and turns into a pair of large three-pronged claws]

As a paladin of Nature, Lucas, you're my tiger. And these are going to be your new claws. They're a little bit from my nails - which can tear mountains down and break continents asunder! [She then smirks a bit] Of course, you're still a bit young. I'm sure your mother will be happy to keep them for you until you grow to size, won't she?

[armored_mother]

[Cora couldn't help but roll her eyes and give Viridi a mild look.]

Yeah yeah. 'Course I will... Seriously though. Claws? Why not give him a bear to ride around on while you're at it?

[Needless to say at THAT suggestion Lucas just looked even more excited, turning a bright and expectant expression at Viridi.]

... Don't you dare.

[goddess_duet]

Oh, Anderson, you had to go and spoil the surprise. [The evil glee is barely contained.

And in this, one of the nearby bushes rustles and a little grizzly bear cub emerges]

No paladin can go around without a companion, after all. It would make me look bad.

[paladin_robot]

Ow! Ow!

[Young master of the mystic arts he may be, but Richard isn't fond of personally harming animals, so that bird is pretty free to peck.]

N-Not to mention, if -ow!- if the animals of our world obey him likr she saaaaaays, then he could use any creature as a mount. Even one of Ann's cassowaries!

[This time he manages to duck as he speaks.]

[armored_mother]

[Cora holds her tongue about looking bad and was about to argue the point. Then she took a better look at the Grizzly Cub and- HNNGH!]

... I'm going to have to veto that. The Bear stays if that's the alternative.

[Yeah no. Cora remembered Scythe mentioning this one person that worked at the preserve who was mauled violently before he was all but hammered to death by a Cassowary's head.]

[Any more mulling on that was cut off by the cheery cry of Lucas rushing over to meet his new buddy, he didn't say anything - merely raising a hand to the Grizzly Cub - which was met by a small paw. Bear Five!]

.. Yeah he's definitely staying.

[goddess_duet]

I never expected otherwise.

You'll have to give him a human name, though, Lucas, if he's going to live with you. Don't worry, he's housebroken.

But yeah, that's why a cassowary would not be a good idea. They'll never hurt you - but I imagine your family wouldn't be too happy about it ruining the furniture! [Viridi laughs] Bears are smart and much politer than most humans, and this one is going to be brighter than most.

[paladin_robot]

Huh... Hadn't considered that. Never really had to raise a pet - or, really, had anything to raise.

So exactly how smart is this little guy gonna be? Like... talking animal? Tool user?

[armored_mother]

How about Fozzie?

[This earned a negative and a headshake from the bear. He'd look terrible in a hat.]

What about Basil? Or maybe Jasper!

[The Grizzly Cub looked thoughtful... then shook his head again. Lucas dropped on his rear and pressed his hands against his head in an adorable look of childish frustration before suddenly looking absolutely inspired.]

I got it! How about Sir Bearington?

[Both the bear cub and boy stood, looking absolutely excited about the name before they both thought about it a while.]

Naaaah...

Doesn't sound like he can talk... but Lucas understands him just fine.

... I think I got an idea. Does Walter sound good? Its the name of a writer who wrote a story about a bear so...

[There was a pause. Then the Cub voiced his approval, earning a cheerful whoop from Lucas.]