Isn't Agriculture fun?! (Heya/open)

[shinigamikitsune]

It was about a week into the current assignment, and his mage wasn't a happy camper about it. Yukio had already listened to Matt go on about how it's emberassing for a former soldier to be reduced to farm work. It wasn't his fault that Matt happened to be a water mage. Maybe a couple stints of this would mellow him out some.

However, he knew that it was only a matter of time before Matt would try and run. Yukio was well aware of his mage's past track record, so he had prepared a plan. Mat still had no idea about Akuma and Tenshi. Hopefully, the perimeter would remain quiet until after Matt attempted his escape, that way he wouldn't have to show his hand too quickly.

Yukio was also a little on edge. This was his first assignment with his first mage, and he knew that they would be sending somebody to check up on him. Considering he was much older then the normal mordecai would be when they were assigned their first mages, he knew he had to work hard in order to prove himself as an asset and worth all the time they'd put into testing him.

Currently he was at his post, watching over his mage, as Matt grumbled under his breath about having to do farm work. He had to admit though, Matt was doing rather well with the irrigation.

[Anonymous]

The air was better out here in the farm lands. It moved freely without buildings to stand in the way. While the smirk on Larsa's face could be seen as him enjoying the scenery, it was not the truth of it at all. Confidence was the reason the young Mordecai strode without pause toward the fields. He could see a few other Mordecai and their mages scattered around the vast area. Proud warriors being reduced to gardeners. Deep down  Larsa knew the importance of farming and how much this work would benefit himself as well as everyone else in their country. His arrogance wasn't allowing that part of him to speak up. Priding the fact that he was sent to check on the progress and report directly back, Larsa marched on. His mage the perfect distance from his heel.

Dazan kept his eyes forward for the most part. His braid thudded lightly against his back as he easily kept pace with the slightly taller, younger Mordecai. From time to time he'd look toward the other pairs in the distance. No emotion showed on his face, nor his eyes. Larsa had plenty to spare. Finally, he saw the one he was instructed to check upon. Yukio Evanencia. Older in age, younger in experience. Larsa neglected to acknowledge that that might be by a day or so, nor that blood line didn't really count towards that. Once near enough, Larsa came to a stop.

"Greetings Yukio Evanencia. I'm sure you've heard of me. I've been instructed to check on your progress," As he was speaking, Larsa moved his hands to rest on his own waist. Knowingly or not, this brought attention to the unique sword that rested on his hip. Though he showed no intention of drawing it, it surely was a remarkable blade in it's own gothic way. Dazan stood in obedience behind him. His head never moving, but his eyes were moving about. Larsa looked around as well, but his head actually moved. As he waited for a reply, he looked at the grumbling mage not too far from them. Dazans eyes were also locked onto him. A small frown wove onto Larsa's features. "Is that your mage down there?"

[shinigamikitsune]

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Yukio looked over to see Larsa when he spoke to him. So they had decided to check up on him a little sooner then he'd anticipated. No big deal.

He stood to greet him. "Hello Larsa Verdeti, indeed I have been excepting you." He paused a moment and turned his attention to Matt. Yukio could just imagine what Larsa must be thinking about this; however, he really didn't care. The way he wanted to handle his mage was obviously different then from how Larsa handled his.

"Yes, that is my mage, Matt. He's still adjusting to life within the agriculture district." To many, farming might have seemed as though it were a lower level assignment. But that wasn't the case. Currently, it was actually rather important, considering that the colony couldn't afford to loose a single crop while in it's early stages.

[Anonymous]

The mage in question seemed to be a hard worker, in Dazan's mind at least. Most of all, he seemed free to go about the task however he willed. At least as far as attitude went. He wondered how it would be on the other side of battle, where tasks did not involve bloodshed and the importance was just as great. The thoughts in his head were not betrayed on his face. He was still uncertain how adept Larsa was in mind linking, and he wasn't sure what actions of his were favorable or not. For this reason the long haired mage stood silently.

In Larsa's mind, Matt was an adequate worker. He worked diligently enough, but it was as Yukio said. He was still getting used to this particular field. Larsa gave a firm nod in agreement. "Plants take a liking to happiness. He would do well to enjoy his work for the empire. If not that, then working for his Mordecai..." The voice held a troublesome air to it in those that words. After the briefest pause he flash a smile towards Yukio, suddenly in a brighter mood. "But it isn't my place to say I suppose. How have things been going out here? What progress has been made?"

As he spoke, Larsa moved around to another spot to gaze at the land around. Dazan stayed where he was. His eyes shifted targets to Yukio for a brief moment. The older Mordecai seemed intelligent and kind, with a strength to him that wasn't easily seen with the eyes. Zan's eyes did not linger long as they quickly went to scan the other portion of land beside him.

[shinigamikitsune]

Yukio kept an eye on the two newcomers, especially when Matt was being observed. He shrugged slightly as he watched Larsa move towards him. "Such a bond will be established with time. Once again, it's about being able to adapt, and being truly happy to work for the empire or one's mordecai, is not something that can be forced on everybody." He wasn't saying this to strike out at somebody in particular. It was just that he knew there were some mordecai out there who were rather rough on their mages.

He offered Larsa a pleasent smile, taking note of the mood change. "Things have been proceeding on schedual so far. We've also haven't had any issues with perimeter breaches so far. If things continue to proceed as they have been, the current crops should be ready to be harvested on schedual."

It was easy to tell he was being watched and studied. He'd grown use to it some time ago, while he was still being tested, so it no longer bothered him. There was something about Larsa though, something he couldn't quite put his finger on, that just felt a little off. He didn't dwell on it, though he did keep it in mind.

"How long do you intend to stay, Larsa. Will you be needing lodgings for yourself and your mage?"

[Anonymous]

Larsa said nothing about how mages should be treated. It was fairly easy to see that he did not approve of such a statement. He kept his mouth shut as though he were the bigger person. Saying more now would take away from the task at hand. Business before pettiness was prized after all. In the end at least the mage wasn't without control. Dazan had to fight a bit more to keep his thoughts from his head and stoicism on his face.

The report was good to hear. It kept the positive mood going. For the first time Larsa really looked at Yukio. A half smile danced on his lips. "Great. Truly pleasant to hear." It was the truth, Dazan knew. From his spot he carefully watched as Larsa looked back at the land around them. "A closer inspection will be needed for the official report. Surely you understand."

As the two conversed, Dazan studied them as much as he could with out actually focusing. Yukio's hair was much more colorful than Larsa's, or any of the other men in the immediate area for that matter. The three stood around the same height also. It was funny how each attitude changed with each posture. While Dazan silently mused, the lodging question came up. It was one he was never a fan of, but nothing of the sort was displayed. Larsa took a moment to ponder the question. "Two nights and Three days should be appropriate. Adjustments can be made after of course. As far as lodging goes, we can manage to handle that ourselves." He gave Yukio another smile, "I wouldn't want to deter you from your important task. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a look around to make sure everything is up to par.

With that, Larsa started walking away, letting his arms return to his side. Dazan didn't miss a beat and fell in line behind him. It was strange how Larsa's arrogant stride made Dazan's walk inferior, despite him standing tall as always.

[shinigamikitsune]

"I understand of course, though I'm certain that you'll find things to be up to standards." Yukio offered another smile to him. He knew that the higher ups would be keeping a closer eye on him for the first little while, and he didn't need to have them reconsidering allowing him to have a mage because some pompous little ass got his panties in a knot over something.

His posture seemed to be relaxed and calm, almost as though there wasn't anything that could catch him off guard at this moment. Of course, nothing would, if it were work related. "Please, let me know if there is anything you need. I'll do my best to see to it that your requests are fullfilled."

[Anonymous]

The duo wandered the fields with familiarity. Larsa moved with purpose. This gave him an air of experience, fooling a number of workers into thinking that he was an expert in the field. Even those who knew him as an arrogant brat birthed from two expertise Mordecai balked when meeting his eyes. His gaze was a brick wall of surety. Scrutinizing, observing, dissecting everything his eyes laid on. Clearly these were eyes of a man who knew his stuff.

Perhaps it was just his silent shadow that knew other wise. As a mage with elemental abilities, Dazan knew his way around much better than Larsa. Having worked there the majority of his childhood, he knew a fair share of short cuts and hiding spaces even on the flat fields. He would never be permitted to lead with Larsa as his Mordecai. For now, that was fine by him. Though he looked around as well, his gaze was more focused on one area at a time. He gave small smiles to other mages he knew, and a firm nod to a few other Mordecai's that he worked under. The nicer ones at least.

Larsa came to a halt at random intervals. He'd stop on small hills, in the middle of fields, shortly after passing other workers... as his pace never slowed, it was hard to tell if he's pass some one or stop directly at their side. When something or someone caught his eye, his focus on it could be unsettling. A light smile may put others at ease, but most of the mages knew better than to relax around anyone they weren't serving. The pair continued to check on things in the general area they headed off in. Larsa spoke with others lightly to see how things were. As far as he could tell, Yukio indeed had everything under order. Larsa seemed extremely pleased with this, however Dazan knew something else was brewing in that head of his.

((ooc: sorry for this being rushed a short. Will make a better post next time ^_^))

[shinigamikitsune]

Yukio watched as Larsa walked off, and kept an eye on him now and then as the younger male made his inspection. It wasn't that Yukio was worried that Larsa might find something that he shouldn't. In fact Yukio wasn't personally worried about the young man at all. It was what he represented that gave Yukio pause.

Although he knew that he hadn't given the higher ups and reason for them to question his abilities as a capable mordecai, the worry would always be there under the surface. Yukio knew that it was going to be a harder trial for him in order to prove his worth as it would be compared to most others. However, he knew that he was just as capable, if not better then most, even if he never outwardly showed it.

Things had to proceed in stages, and he had overcome the most difficult stage for himself personally. Now, with Larsa being sent here to inspect things, it was just another stage that needed to be completed, then it would be onto the next. Though while those stages were going on, another more important one was taking place, and that was with the bond he was developing with his mage. He knew there were those members of the higher ups that hoped he failed in this aspect, but he wouldn't let that knowledge defeat him. If he could develope a bond with Tenshi and Akuma, then working with his mage wouldn't be a problem, even if it would take time.

Speaking of his mage, he glanced over to see how Matt was doing, and couldn't help but give a little chuckle. For all the cursing the man did about hating the job, he was faring rather well with it. No doubt the cursing was mostly for show, and probably to see how far he could push the limits with Yukio.