Galahad Caradoc
Ranbu no Izayoi
The journey across the waves had been quiet and uneventful thus far, a welcome reprieve from the Kirins’ rather hectic adventures across Osprey. Even with how chaotic life on a pirate's ship could be, at least the early morning found the deck a rather quiet place. The waves seemed to have calmed themselves for a moment, and while men still shouted shanties as they moved about on the deck, the place was quiet, at least relatively, and one of the crew men had even made mention of a rather large school of fish passing by the ship. Galahad hadn't had much in the way of time to engage in his hobbies since he'd left home what seemed like a lifetime ago. It seemed Etro had provided Galahad with the perfect for him to finally attempt to recompose his rather tattered patience.
Though perhaps the spirits were fickle deities, as Galahad stepped out onto the deck to find none other than Izayoi already having occupied his chosen space. He'd not been avoiding her, per say, they were for all intents and purposes, cohorts in this quest, but it'd be a long stretch to say they were friendly. Still, she'd likely heard him before seeing him, and his pride wouldn't let him give up such a prime spot with his tail between his legs.
”I hope I'm not interrupting your solace.” Galahad said as a way of greeting her, his tone even and softer, now that they were no longer jumping from battle to battlefield. He took up a place next to the mystrel, though still a decent distance away and began setting up his gear, a small pack sitting in between the two of them. ”Of all the things we've fought for thus far, I hadn't imagined I'd have to fight for a good fishing spot as well.“
”Hardly.” Izayoi afforded Galahad a brief nod as he set up near her. ”There’s no solace to be found on this shipful of pirates, regardless.”
Indeed, it wouldn’t be long before more sailors arrived on deck to start another day of belting out sea shanties as they worked.
”Hopefully, between the two of us, we can catch enough fish for a decent meal tonight. I tire of salt pork and hard bread already.”
She hadn’t exactly forgotten Galahad’s occasional snipes towards her, but considering the chance she’d personally killed his brother was extremely high, Izayoi had largely been letting them slide. Still, at least he seemed personable enough today.
”I thought I loved pork.” Galahad agreed, ”But after being on this ship, I'm sure I could die happy without eating a piece of pig again.”
The quiet fell in, perhaps somewhat awkwardly– save for the ever present chanting of sea shanties- as their fishing lines flew into the water, the inevitable waiting beginning. Setting down on a stool he'd swiped from one of the cabins, Galahad reached into his pack and fished out a small knife and a half carved chunk of wood. This particular chunk was possibly a chair leg in a previous life, but was slowly taking the shape of a small chocobo. Within a few minutes, the deck between his feet began to cover with slight wood shavings as the small knife began to slowly coax the chocobo out of the chair leg.
”Supposedly, fishing is not unlike dragon hunting.” Galahad murmured idly, ”Setting bait to lure, patience, things like that- I guess, ignoring the fact that fish usually don't try to eat you.”
”I'm not sure if I really buy into that.“ Galahad scoffed, ”I just like the quiet that usually comes with it.”
”All hunting is the same in principle.” Izayoi replied, contenting herself with gazing out over the open sea as she waited for a bite. ”In practice, rarely so. Though I’ve only hunted a dragon but once, I would agree that comparing it to fishing is merely being reductive.”
Perhaps in response to Galahad's desires for quiet, his line suddenly grew taught mid-carve. Normally he'd have enough time to set his knife down and grab the rod, but not so this time as the rod nearly flew out of the crook of his arm, the length of it bending as though it threatened to snap.
Izayoi glanced to the side at the commotion, watching with interest as Galahad began to struggle in his suboptimal position. That lasted for but half a moment as she realized that any missed fish was a net negative for everyone overall, herself included. With a sigh, she set her own rod down and was at Galahad’s side in a single breath, seizing the rod from where he’d tucked it into his arm.
”Ordinarily, I would watch you struggle.” She murmured through grit teeth as the fish fought hard against the line. ”Not so when this is the difference between a palatable dinner and more godsforsaken ship’s biscuits.” Izayoi began to reel in, giving a bit of slack in the line so that it didn’t snap.
”Never took you as the type to think with your stomach.” Galahad grunted in reply, finally able to stash his knife and take control of the rod. Whatever other quips Galahad mightve had were quickly silenced as he found that this particular catch required quiet concentration he hadn't quite expected. Perhaps fishing was more like hunting than he cared to admit. As the fish broke water and began to lift, it became quickly apparent that it was heavier than the line was capable of supporting. ”Hold it steady.” Galahad said as dove back into his bag to grab his knife. ”Can't believe I'm about to use martial abilities for a fucking fish.” he grumbled before leaping off the side of the boat, using a railing to swing himself over at an angle.
There was a heavy thud as Galahad collided with the fish– and then the side of the boat. A half second later, there was the sound of boots on wood and the Dragoon was in the air again, up and over, back onto the deck of the ship, with possibly the largest tuna he'd ever seen in hand. Almost comparable in height to Eve, Galahad looked quite proud of himself, and opened his mouth to say something to his own credit before the giant sea creature flopped, a powerful fin smacking him in the head and sending both man and fish crashing onto the deck.
Despite, or perhaps in spite of present company, Galahad couldn't help but laugh, the first genuine laugh he'd had since they left on this journey, if just because of the absurdity of it all.
”...Snrk.” Izayoi couldn’t help but let a snort loose upon watching the tuna smack Galahad in the face. Nevertheless, she composed herself quickly and moved to help Galahad up, the tuna flopping helplessly on deck.
”A finer catch than any I’ve seen. That beast would keep a small family fed for days.” She eyed the behemoth of a fish with no small amount of hunger, her eyes lingering on the belly.
”Regardless, that was an…inspired fishing technique.” Izayoi passed Galahad’s rod back to him, going to pick her own back up.
”Hah,’inspired’. I'd rather not let it be known that I had to use dragoon techniques to do in a fish. “ Galahad said as Izayoi helped him up, the chuckle slowly leaving his lungs. ”It was a fine catch though, and I am thankful for your assistance.”
”A family of four perhaps, but perhaps the Kirins for only a night, if we feast on this beast the way I believe we will,“ Galahad's eyes had a twinkle, a rare sense of boldness and pride outside of martial discipline. A simple thing, but perhaps needed after their struggles in Osprey. Before he could celebrate their victory more, Galahad paused, realizing something.
”Wait a moment. Did… Did you just laugh at me?“ He asked the Mystrel samurai incredulously. ”I didn't know you had it in you.” Galahad chuckled again, ”First beaten by a fish, now slain by words. What an odd day.”
”At you? Of course.” Izayoi nodded, noting a bite on her line. ”I am entirely capable of finding humor in things. It simply does not happen often. And you are welcome.”
”Could've fooled me.“
It was to her disappointment that she reeled her fish in much more easily than Galahad did, plucking a moderately-sized grouper off her line. It would have been respectable on any other day, but next to Galahad’s monstrous tuna, everything else paled in comparison. Izayoi’s ears flattened slightly against her head as she dropped the grouper into the bucket, but she baited her hook and cast her line out once more.
”I confess that I still find it difficult to wrap my head around the scale of the priest’s words. I had not been focusing upon them overmuch until now.”
”He more or less told us we're responsible for the safety of the world.” Galahad agreed with a nod, sitting down by the massive fish as he jabbed his blade into it to end its struggle. ”Or at least just the continent- and everyone on it. Hard to put in perspective when you really think about it.”
”We're less than a dozen. A veritable group of misfits from all walks of life. Sometimes I wonder if we'll really be able to pull it off– and without killing each other in the process.” Galahad scoffed. ”You'd think the end of the world as we know it would be good motivation.”
Galahad paused, quiet for a moment of contemplation. ”Last we spoke, you said you had little to live for. Do you still feel that way?“
”...Perhaps I do.” Izayoi murmured quietly, her tail curling. ”But it is irrelevant now. So long as the priest was not speaking falsehoods, our mission takes precedence. Accomplishing what Cid desires incidentally guarantees Valheim’s demise. So long as I have my opportunity to slay that witch Reisa, I will be satisfied. Why do you ask, anyway?” She fixed Galahad with a stare.
”Concerned that I may retract my standing offer?”
”Mostly curiosity. I've yet to find a reason to doubt your convictions.” Galahad admitted, with a grunt, knife cutting into the large tuna as he began to clear out its innards. ”But with everything that's happened lately, and with Hien and Ciradyl back in your life. I was curious if your perspectives have changed at all.”
”When we first met, you walked like a woman with a death wish, and to an extent you still do.”
Izayoi stayed silent for several moments, naught but the sound of the waves, the sailors, and Galahad’s knife filling the air. When she finally did speak, her voice was downcast.
”...Once this is all finished, Lord Hien can stand upon his own two feet. Without the need for her sword, Ranbu no Izayoi’s presence would serve only to overshadow and undermine his authority. As for Ciradyl, she and I will always be among the closest of friends. But we lead vastly different lives. What makes her happy in life will not apply for myself, and vice versa.” She laughed bitterly.
”They do not need me, Caradoc. I can come to their aid should they call, and check in upon them, but I cannot be a constant presence in their lives should I wish the best for them. Fret not, though. I still have every intention of fulfilling my promise. The only difference is that should we succeed in our goals, I may not let you win after all.” Izayoi revealed the last part with a crooked smirk.
”If we both make it out of this alive, I think I'd give you a solid run for your money.” Galahad retorted, ”You may not have a choice in whether or not I win.”
With a grunt, Galahad pulled the rest of the innards out of the fish, tossing them into a nearby bucket as he did. ”I think you're wrong though. They might not need Ranbu no Izayoi, but I think they might still have need of Izayoi.”
”Provided we all actually live through this, anyway.” Galahad chuckled, as he began to heft the great tuna. ”Hey, stow the rod and help me with this. This one was as much your catch as it was mine.“