Each AU why not

[thirtybits]

[Judas is actually the biggest of all losers. Rather than try to learn magic or climb the ranks, he's moved out to the countryside to work on a farm outside Treun. And maybe do some rabble rousing and charity work.]

Farm
Hey! Yeah, you, I see you!

[It's dark and someone's stumbled into his field. Either he's worried his crops will be trampled, or stolen. Both? Either way, scrawny, sickly, 5'2" Judas is marching out there, full of purpose, he'll fight to defend his crops, they're for the natives in need!! Strange how his work clothes are distinctly not appropriate to the area, more like something out of ancient Rome - ancient Judea, actually. But what shardbearer in his right mind would be working a field, right?]

Protest
[Might as well get both things he's good at in! There's a rally being held in the square, full of Drabwurld natives as it's largely anti-shardbearer. But there's sentiment against the courts as well - after all, they're the ones who are bringing the shardbearers in to mess up their home, and the war is not helping that either. They're not given defence against roaming raiders and hostile soldiers, or shardbearers doing whatever they please.

And who's in the centre of the crowd giving a speech full of those sentiments? Obviously it's Judas. There's some jeering from some members of the crowd over the fact that he himself is a shardbearer, and in the end when he leaves, it almost seems that he's been run out. He sighs heavily, flopping down on the stone street, back against a wall. He pulls the over layer of his robes off, balls it up, and throws it to the ground.]

Station or castle library
[He comes here solely for the sake of maths. Looking for books of tough problems to solve, maybe something accounting related if he's lucky, but anything will do. He just likes numbers. And frankly, it's absurd how quickly he goes through any material he pulls out. But it's a rare time of excitement and honest happiness.

Please be a nerd with him. (Or maybe make fun of the nerd, that would make sense too.)]

[or make up something else. I'm also down with doing crau from Box/Forest flavour so let me know if that's the way you want it, otherwise it's a fresh start]

Comments

farmboy b/c protest would be forestdorian laughing at him and petting his hair

[depicted]

[Wait, Dorian? He looks over to this person calling to him, wide-eyed and confused.] Yes?

[He was just looking for Emil!]

dlsdg DON'T TOUCH HIM, ROMAN

[thirtybits]

Don't just stand there looking dumb, what do you think you're doing!

[Judas gestures to the crops, only just starting to sprout out of the ground. Don't make this go the way of BoxJudas, don't make him move his entire farm indoors to keep it safe.]

[depicted]

I was looking for a friend? [He looks down. OH NO!] I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your work. [He quickly steps back. THIS POOR NATIVE...]

[thirtybits]

You're not interrupting, you're trampling.

[He sighs heavily, shaking his head as he gets down on his knees in the dirt to fix it.]

Who are you looking for?

[depicted]

Emil Castignier? Or—sometimes he is known as Aster. He's blond, about this high [a gesture] and he wears a scarf.

[Um . . .] Can I help you? Undo the damage I've done.

[thirtybits]

Oh. [He thinks about it for a moment, but shakes his head.] I've seen him, but not around here.

[Then he looks back up at Dorian, a bit surprised by the offer. It's a more honest question than it sounds.] Really? You don't exactly look used to this kind of work.

[depicted]

Well, no, but—I did help with yard work, once! When I was younger. [a pause] As punishment. I don't think I did a very good job of it.

But I should like to apologize for trampling on your harvest.

[thirtybits]

Well...as long as you don't do more harm than good.

[He watches Dorian warily, but in the end, offers the smallest of smiles, shy as usual, despite his words having a bite to them.]

[depicted]

I won't! [There's his little huffy noise, but as he bends down . . . he has to look back up again.] What should I do?

[thirtybits]

....Nevermind, just...go get me some sticks, and string from inside, in the right drawer.

[He sighs. Never let a privileged rich kid try to do farm work. But at least the kid's trying to help, that's a whole lot more than can be said for most.]

And careful where you step.

[depicted]

[Look at how sad Dorian looks at clearly disappointing Judas.] I'll be a moment. [He'll go in. Carefully. Sadly. But quickly.

It confuses him that it's so easy to find the strings. You need more rooms, Judas.]

[thirtybits]

[It's more of a hut than anything, just one room with a bed, cabinet of farm supplies, and something that can't really be called a kitchen... But he likes it.

He feels a little badly for snapping at Dorian when he sees that sad look. He doesn't seem like a bad person... He'll have to apologise when Dorian comes back. So as soon as he sees Dorian again, he stands and wipes his forehead with the back of his wrist.]

Thanks...ah, look, sorry for, uh, being short with you...

judas don't apologize for being short, you can't help your genetics!

[depicted]

I should have been more careful. [Holding the string and sticks now—] What might I do with this?

yeah it's not his fault he can't grow a beard!

[thirtybits]

[He rubs his palm with the thumb of the other hand, nodding a little.]

Right, well, the sticks go in the ground next to anything looking a little limp, and then you tie the plant to the stick to keep it upright.

[depicted]

For what do I use the strong?

[thirtybits]

[Really? Isn't that obvious? His look says as much.]

You tie it together - loosely.

[depicted]

Oh. [SO YOU DON'T....TIE THE DUMB LITTLE STICKS TOGETHER.....

He'll sit down and start trying now.]

[thirtybits]

[Over privileged white kids, geeze...... Judas crouches down to watch and offer any help, hands on his knees, sitting back on his feet.]

It's easy, really. Be glad I didn't put you to work plowing.

[depicted]

[It is the first time Dorian scowls back at Judas.] It is cruel to be rude when someone is attempting to atone for a mistake.

[thirtybits]

I didn't mean to be rude...! It was just a joke!

[depicted]

O-oh. [Now Dorian feels worse.

FOCUSING INTENTLY ON HELPING LOSER PLANTS]

[thirtybits]

[Oh no, oh no he's the worst, he is the worst person in the world! SORRY FOR BEING JUDAS

So of course he panics.]

Ah, no, I'm sorry...! Please don't be upset, it's alright!

[depicted]

I'm not upset! [He says, in distress.]

[tiny voiced] I am just not accustomed to this sort of thing.

[thirtybits]

--Right, sorry, no let me do it, it's fine!

[So he sits on his knees, even with his clothes in the dirt, and starts getting to work.]

[depicted]

No!

[Now Dorian is distressed, and he reaches to stop Judas.]

I must apologize. [beat] And it would be terrible if your clothing were to get dirty.