♛ⒹⒺⒸⒺⓅⓉⒾⓄⓃ♜ discussion

((A ʟᴏɴɢ, ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴘᴀssᴀɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ sᴇᴘᴀʀᴀᴛᴇs ᴛʜᴇ.. ғᴏʀ ʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴏғ ᴀ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴅ, ᴄʟᴇᴀɴ, ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏᴏʀᴇʀ ᴅɪsᴛʀɪᴄᴛs ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴍᴀʀᴋᴇᴛ))

Cyrus paced back and forth, rubbing his thumbs over the cuffs that lined the inside of his wrists. Some would see that as an act of nerves, the guy was twice his size after all, but it was more of a method to calm himself down. It was one of the few stable things in his life even if it did chain him to some of the worst memories.
Peering over at the wages he shook his head. "Oh come on guys. He's so going to loose, it's Finn, he can barely walk without stumbling over those big feet of his." He said with a smile that brightened his entire face. Of course this was only to get the bettors on his side. The more money that was put in to him winning and his opponent loosing would earn him a bigger cut and then maybe he'd go home with a decent bag of cash. Once everything was settled he stepped into the circle. Whoever called for a tap out or fainted or fell outside the circle first was a loser. Already he knew what the other man's weaknesses were. His size for one, and those feet of his. Cyrus didn't bother to make the first move as he fixed the large man with another one of his grins which just earned a growl in return. Looked like someone wasn't so happy today. All so suddenly the man came charging forwards and he sidestepped just in time. If Finn hadn't stopped himself quickly enough he would've ended up out of the circle faster than the lowest time score. The man turned around on his heels which gave him an advantage as he sweeped down low, moving his leg in a fashion that brought the oversized man to his feet. From there it was just a flurry of punches and kicks to the face.

((Wait is this the one we ship with Lyra? xD))

She wasn't out to try and stop a fight. Really. Swear. Aria was just out to wander, to try and get out of the house and get some fresh air. She knew the town pretty well at this point, and she knew this Alley was a shortcut. There'd never been any problems before, and she saw no reason why there would be now. So it wasn't a worry to her as she started down the dark alley, completely fearless. But she heard the sounds up ahead and stopped, tilting her head to the side slightly.

She moved forward more carefully, now on alert. When she saw it was just another fight ring she groaned as she stomped forward, pretty blue eyes flashing. "This is ridiculous." She snapped, shoving her way through the ring of guys-who were too shocked by the appearance of a short blonde girl to stop her. "You guys are beating each other up for no reason other than money, and keeping yourself out of real jobs. Lay off." She said flatly.

Instead of sounding angry though, she just sounded... sweet. Concerned, even. They stopped and stared at her, and she stared right back at them. Many of them started shifting around uncomfortably under her scared-for-them gaze, and started backing away.

The sight came to an adbrupt hault and all air left Cyrus' longs as Finn landed on his chest before taking his sweet time getting up. Groaning he rubbed at his chest, trying not to show how much it hurt. His heart was a sign of weakness and that was no good for a street fighter. Taking one of the hands afford to him he got to his feet, wiping away the blood that trickled out of his mouth away with his sleeve. Quickly he assessed the crowd wondering who possibly could've stopped the fight as he did his best to control his breathing and not crumple back to down to his knees. The fight didn't drain him in any other way, it always came down to his medical condition. Inwardly he groaned when he saw the short blonde chick shove her way through the crowd. They'd stopped for this? Plenty of girls came by again and again to stop the fights and everyone would pause for a few minutes beore continuing. It may've been a nasty business but it kept food in the stomaches of those who could not find jobs. Sure Cyrus had his own psych business, but that was nothing compared to the money he made in his fights, whether or not the affairs were legal didn't concern him.

Placing his hands on his hips he faced her, aware of the stutter in his words as he continued to collect his bearings. "This is a real job sweet-heart. Why don't you bugger off and mind your own business." He said before shaking his head and muttering under his breath to the cordinator. Getting a good amount of coins he shoved them deep into his pockets before making his way out of the circle. There was no use to continue fighting once he stopped. Usually it took up to a full hour after an intense fight to become normal again. He could see the concern written clear as day in her eyes, but he was sure no one was enjoying it. She'd interrupted some good quality entertainment and now everyone was departing as if she'd divided the Red Sea herself.

((Maybe <.<? I no longer know, but I believe so .. maybe Cx))

((We're so orderly xD I'm going to assume it is lol.))

If there was one thing Aria hated more than anything else, it was getting dismissed off hand because of something she couldn't control. Her gender, her size, it wasn't that those were sore points with her, because they weren't, but she knew that it was not fair to write her off for them as he was doing. She had just opened her mouth to protest when suddenly large hands closed around her throat from behind.

It was not the first time she'd been attacked, having grown up on the streets, but it was the first time she didn't have her brothers to save her. She was not defenseless, however. Still, she panicked inwardly at first, her breathing quickening as whoever had attacked her picked her up higher by her throat, forcing her size to be a true disadvantage as her feet lifted from the ground. She shoved down the instinct that drove her to claw at his hands as the one not holding her up roamed it's way over her and instead reached deep into her pocket. She withdrew what looked like a normal stick, but at the flick of her wrist it extended into a full staff. A swift kick between his legs forced him to drop her, and that was followed by the staff across this throat with an audible, painful sound.

As he collapsed, Aria straightened, swallowing hard and rubbing her neck. Her eyes turned to the one that had spoken earlier, Cyrus. "Some real job you got here." She said quietly. She closed her staff back up into the smaller stick, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "I'll go mind my own business before your friend tries to mind it for me again." She said flatly, turning and starting back through the crowd.

((Lol, yeah I think it is 'cause in the collab thread it was with the FC of Sam Claflin and Cyrus would be him =P ))

Cyrus winced when he saw the man bring her down to the ground. It was an unfair fight, but he could do nothing about it in his state, unless he wanted to make it worse. When she pulled out a staff from her pocket and kicked him right where the lights don't shine he couldn't help but to smile ever so slightly, but the barely there smile faded away when he heard her reply to what he'd said a few seconds earlier. Watching her turn around he was compelled to follow her and he ignored the looks of the people he passed before he gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Listen, those people aren't my friends, and I am sorry you walked into this mess." Cyrus said with a grimace as he saw the red fingerprints already making themseleves known on her thing and delicate looking neck. That was a mark no lady should bear. Shaking his head he tried to form an apology, but nothing came to mind which meat he stood there for a moment stock still and with his lips pressed tightly together before he walked besides her with ease. "Why don't you tell me about yourself? What's your real job exactly?"

((We figured something out! Yay us!))

As she heard footsteps Aria tensed, and at the touch on her shoulder she turned quickly, the staff snapping out and elongating once again. When she saw who it was she paused, eyeing him for a moment. As if coming to a decision she closed her staff back up, beginning to walk forward again, though much more slowly.

"Me?" One eyebrow rose, but she shrugged. "My name is Aria. I'm a babysitter for a lot of kids around here." She gestured to the surrounding area. Her house, where her feet were aiming, was in the grungy, poor end of town, along with the kids she babysat for. It was the only job she could get, really. Everything else required some kind of previous experience. She'd never understood: How was she supposed to get experience if everyone required experience before she could get any?

((Isis may be joining us here with Aria's brother :3))

Alexander was working another long and boring day in the marketplace, running a fruit stand for one of the local farmers. It was something he would never enjoy but didn't quite hate. On this particular day though, he was coming close to hating it. It was warm and he had seen almost no on in the market all day long. Then, he heard a commotion from an alleyway not too far from the stand. He frowned softly, looked around to check and make sure the stand would be ok, then he wandered slowly toward the alley to see what was going on.
What he found in the alley caused him to gasp. There was one man passed out on the ground, one other man standing and practically panting, and then his sister. "Aria!" he gasped, rushing to her and pulling her to him. He looked her over and immediately saw the welts forming on her throats. "What the hell happened here?" His face immediately darkened and he looked toward the man who was still standing. "Did you touch my sister?" he asked. He let go of Aria, stepping toward the man and pulling his dagger.

"Alexander!" Aria said, both surprised and happy to see him. She hugged him before he let her go, stepping toward Cyrus. She frowned, laying a hand the arm holding up the dagger and lightly pushing it down as she stepped in between the two. "Just relax a bit." She admonished, raising one eyebrow at him pointedly, though she was smiling slightly.

"It's okay-- He didn't do anything." She promised, then cast a glance to the one she'd previously taken out. "And as you can see-" She nodded at his still form, "-I took care of the one who did." She said grimly, then smiled again. Grim and serious was not who she was. She was more of a happy-go-lucky type of person, and that showed as she deftly whisked the knife from her brother's grip. "Come on, I just had this conversation. Plus, I have it with you all the time. Violence and fights are not always the answer."

Alexander carefully reached out and took the knife back form her, putting it back in its sheath. He kept a wary eye on Cyrus despite what his sister said and kept his hand close to the dagger even as he turned to her. "You know I don't like to fight but you can see my position, walking into an alley with my sister's neck all covered in bruises." He reached out and gently touched one of these bruises. "Are you ok, Aria? Seriously, are you ok? You need to get something cold on your neck before those welts get any more swollen." He sighed softly, "And stay out of alleys from now on. I don't need anything more happening to you."

((I have a little sister named Aria in real life so its weird to write her name haha.))

Cyrus looked over the man tiredly before seeing him pull out a dagger. He held up his hands in surrender, not exactly wanting to mess with a knife, though he was sure he would be far more skilled than the other man in a hand to hand battle. "Yup, she took all care of him herself." He confirmed with a nod of her head before sidestepping around them, hoping to be on his way. "At least one of you can be the voice of reason." He added his own commentary, knowing his words were simply going by without much acknowledgement. As silently as a shadow he slipped back out of the alleyway, brushing his hair from his forehead before beginning to count his change.

((XD I can see that. If you want this Aria can be called Ria... Unless you call your sister that too lol))

Aria huffed, whirling on her brother. "Relax! He didn't do anything, and you're acting like he killed someone! I'm just trying to make another friend." She pouted, "Now, if you're going to be nice, then come on!" She grinned before whisking back out after Cyrus, picking up her skirts to run to catch up to him. "Hey!" She called after him, catching up and falling into step beside him. "I gave you my name. At the absolute minimum you owe me yours. Though, I think more than that would be nice." she smiled, looking up at him.

((Hahaha it's all good, I just wanted to let you know for whatever reason.))

Alexander rolled his eyes and followed after his sister, but keeping some distance. His sister might want to make another friend but he didn't trust this guy and had no desire to be around him. Really the only reason he was coming along was to make sure that his sister didn't get herself into trouble. It was like she was a magnet for trouble and he was constantly having to pry it off of her. Sure, she could do it herself and he knew that, but he didn't want to slip up during the one time she did need his help.

Hearing someone following after him he pocketed the money, shoving it back into his pants before relaxing when he saw it was simply the girl from earlier. It seemed she was one of those strangers that liked to get to know other strangers. Rolling his eyes he gritted his teeth before facing her. Cyrus could certainly be friendly, but right now he just wanted to sit down and relax. Instead he put on a smile and nodded his head. "Cyrus." He said before continuing. "And just for a little more I'll give you my second name. It's Zane." Cyrus told her with a teasing expression as he ignored the instinct to reach for the golden cuffs under his tunic.

"Aria Aurora Averin, if you want it all." She announced with a smile, "And my dear darling really overprotective brother is Alexander Averin." She nodded back at her brother, turning around to face him, easily walking backwards to talk with them both. She tilted her head to study Cyrus. "Interesting name..." She mused. "There was an ancient badass Persian Emperor called Cyrus the Great." She volunteered the random fact cheerfully.

Alexander rolled his eyes as he listened to his sister. She might as well just tell the boy every random fact about them and about anything else that popped into her head. Honestly, it surprised him that she hadn't already given out their address and offered the man all the money that they had saved up. Needless to say, he didn't find her easy volunteer of information to be a good thing.
"Aria," he scolded lightly, "He doesn't want to hear about this."

Well, I didn't ask for it all, now did I? Cyrus thought to himself in his mind, though from that moment he decided he liked her. His eyes flickered towards the ground to watch for any stones sticking out of the sidewalk, it wouldn't do her any good to fall while walking backwards. "Well I can promise I'm not badass, but once I win the Crowning I guess I will have my very own empire." He said this teasingly. Most would consider it a suicide mission for anyone to entire the crowning, but maybe he just simply no longer cared if he did. He was supposed to die ten years ago with all of the other scum that crawled the earth, but hey, here he was. He laughed softly under his breath as he heard her brother from behind him. "It's fine." He said with a wave of his hand. Besides, one more block and they'd be back by his place.

"How do you know? Did you ask him?" Aria shot back to her brother, raising one eyebrow at him. Her gaze turned back to Cyrus, a bright smile lighting up her face. "See? He said it was fine." She said firmly, though she shut up. About random facts no one cared about. For the moment at least. "You're in the crowning, huh?" She mused, tilting her head to study him silently for a moment, appraising him. Finally she nodded. "If you fight with a weapon like you do without, I'd say you have a good chance of winning." She announced with a softer smile. "I'd bet on you at least." She offered, then her tone turned teasing. "As long as I get a nice promotion to a great spot in your little empire." She smiled.

"Plan to be." He answered quietly. As for having signed up he hadn't gotten that far yet. Though Cyrus tried being optomistic when he thought about killing people and being the one to survive he knew that wouldn't be the case. Some royals had been trained for the crowning since they'd been able to crawl, and not so much as walk. Sure he was good with a blade and his hands, but what about all of those weapons he'd only read about in books and seen in pictures? "Mmm, I bet you say that to all of the boys entering the crowning if only so you can be a high advisor." He teased with a sideways smirk.

Alexander gritted his teeth together and looked at the two of them talking away as if over a meal instead of a fight that just occurred. To him this Cyrus boy didn't look like he could kill anyway. For starters, the guy had looked like he was going to fall over and die when he first saw him. He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Why would you even want to bother risking your life in the crowning? It's a fools errand. Now, Aria, we should be going. You don't want to be getting involved in all this..."

"Alexander, I am not the one entering the crowning. His presence is not going to suddenly kill me. I am not going away from Cyrus just because you tell me to." Aria said stubbornly, looking over to glare at her brother. She took a deep breath before turning back to Cyrus, her cheerful smile back in place. "Advisor? Really? Now. Are you sure it's a good idea to have me in a position to tell you what to do?" She teased. "I mean, I can advise you on how to fight with a staff or a stick, same thing really, but that's it." She patted her pocket where the staff was.

Cyrus looked between the two awkwardly, not exactly wanting to be caught in the midst of a sibling debacle, he had enough drama of his own to deal with anyways. Aleady he could sense the other mans doubt in him, and he didn't very well appreciate it at all. "Well, then maybe I'm just a fool." He replied with a tense shrug of his shoulders. Maybe dying wasn't so bad anyways, the only thing he could wish for before death, though, was to remove the cuffs that binded him to a life he no longer wanted to be reminded of, but it looked like that wouldn't be happening anytime soon. Cyrus would die a slave. "Maybe it's not such a good idea, but the King can always Veto what his advisors say." He reminded her before his eyes flickered to where she patted her pocket. A staff seemed like such a strange choice in weaponry... but when you grew up with it maybe it wasn't so bad. He shook his head shortly. "Well, I better head off to work then, you too have fun wherever you're going." He said with a small wave of his hand. His pace quickened upon the cobble streets as he made his way to his shop before unlocking the door and closing it behind him in one short and fluid motion.

((Kelly, should you and I segue in Lyra and Ian's trip to have her meet Cyrus?))