[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjY2LjM3NmIzMy5UM05vYVdKaGJtRWdSbTl5WlhOMC4w/madpakke-demo.regular.png[/img][h3][sup][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4743427][color=LemonChiffon]Bayard Lux[/color][/url], and [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4743427][color=SkyBlue]Plutus Ishtar[/color][/url][/sup][/h3]
[/center][right][@Zarkun], [@Lunarlord34][/right][hr][hr]
The surface of a shallow creek glistened with the morning sun, the gentle rolling of the rapids downstream in harmony with the drone of insects and croak of a wisely toad. Perched upon an exposed rock amidst the stream, the amphibian gazed into the wild shrubbery across the stream in contemplation. A gentle rustle caught its attention. With a wary croak, the creature shuffled to the water’s edge and dived beneath the surface just as a sharp squeal prefaced the sudden arrival of a wild hare.

The hare burst from the shrubbery, skipping across the stream in a panic. A young man followed suit, dressed in a short sleeved, navy coat with a fur collar. In his hands he clutched a glaive with a star shaped blade, the shaft elegantly inscribed with the mantras of the boy’s homeland. When running through the creek, his boot caught on the rock the toad had previously sat upon and sent him planting face first into the water.

Lifting his head, he watched the hare scamper off into the dense woodland. His stomach growled. With a long groan, Plutus let himself collapse back into the stream.

[center][color=silver]~~[/color][/center]
“[color=LemonChiffon]Moron![/color]” Bayard socked Plutus, who was positioned in a groveling kneel, with a heavy bonk on the top of his head. The younger mage clutched the sore spot on his head and winced, blubbering out an excuse.
“[color=skyblue]The lil’ guy was too quick for me, Bayard! He had a home field advantage.[/color]” Plutus had secretly hoped he wouldn’t catch the rabbit, since the idea of slaughtering the fuzzy friend for lunch made his stomach turn. Bayard expected as much.

“[color=LemonChiffon]We wouldn’t need to hunt for food if you didn’t turn down the reward for our last gig.[/color]” Bayard scolded, picking the kid up by the scruff of his neck and to his feet. Plutus folded his arms and pouted.
“[color=skyblue]Real heroes don’t work for money.[/color]” He muttered, averting his gaze from the older mage. Bayard opened his mouth to argue, but instead settled for a disgruntled sigh. The kid had heart, he’d give him that. Yet passion doesn’t fill an empty stomach. The pair had made somewhat of a name for themselves as vigilantes – much to the disdain of the Rune Knights. They weren’t appreciative of wizards who worked outside the guilds and by extension, the council.

Plutus' naïve, fairy tale view of heroism was what drove him; often leading to some of his most surprising acts of courage. It also meant his skewed view of reality was a constant annoyance to the more cynical Bayard. The light mage reached into his rucksack and removed a bread roll, breaking it in two and offering the bigger half to his downtrodden companion. Plutus face lit up, clutching the food in his hands with glee before going in for the bite. Yet just before his jaw was about to enclose around the aromatic, firm crust, he shot Bayard an accusative look.

“[color=skyblue]You paid for this bread didn’t you?[/color]” When Bayard said nothing, the boy had his answer. Shoving it back into the older mage’s hand, Plutus turned away and began to pack away their camp.
“[color=lemonchiffon]Fine, go hungry then![/color]” Bayard spat, turning away and continuing his own preparations.

[center][color=silver]~~[/color][/center]
The two were walking through the forest silently, both smoldering at each other with occasional glances. When Plutus couldn’t take it any longer, he walked straight ahead whilst shoving past Bayard with an annoyed grunt.
“[color=skyblue]You shouldn’t steal. People have a hard enough time getting by without losing their profits to low-life thieves.[/color]” He shot a look back at his companion on ‘low-life thieves’. That was the last straw. Bayard clenched his fists, stepping closer to Plutus with longer strides and spinning him around with a firm grip on his shoulder. Reaching down to his collar, he lifted the kid closer to him while menacingly staring down at him with a scowl.

“[color=lemonchiffon]Listen here you little,[/color]” Bayard paused, staring around him for a moment before quickly shoving Plutus into a nearby shrubbery. He crouched behind the bushes as well, making sure to move as little as possible.
“[color=skyblue]What gives-[/color]” Plutus began, before Bayard clasped a hand around his mouth. He peered over the bushes, pointing through the foliage into the woods. It was hard for the boy to discern at first, but he would soon enough make out the silhouettes of two figures. The pair watched, hoping the unknown duo would pass them by.