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

[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.

[thirtybits]

[Too shocked to protest, he sits back and watches.]

...Well, it's already dirty, was before you even got here. [farmboys] You're...very earnest.

[depicted]

I don't see anything wrong with being earnest. I think it's important to be

[Somewhat sullenly, but determined to help, he shoves one stick into the ground, then ties up the plant. And another . . .]

[thirtybits]

No, exactly, I mean it as a compliment! I...kind of assumed you would be a useless jerk.

[depicted]

[He looks hurt, but not surprised.

Because he still thinks that Judas is a Native.]

I assure you, I am not.

1/2

[thirtybits]

Right, I see that - on the contrary you are very earnest! You see!

[He waves his hands about in hopes of showing what he means that way. That was such a roundabout way to explain one simple compliment...]

[thirtybits]

Sorry.

[Pause.]

Sorry.

[He drops his head, eyes darting in the other direction.]

THAT FIRST ICON

[depicted]

[Dorian is quiet. And then he reaches out in apology.]

I understand why you might think it of me. But I haven't met many Shardbearers who are truly useless people.

the icon I always needed

[thirtybits]

[Judas startles, drawing back from Dorian's hand as if burnt by the touch. His voice trembles just slightly for the anxiety of it.]

-N-no, I'm probably the most useless out of all of us.

[depicted]

—you're a Shardbearer?

[This is clearly why he react in a panic??]

[thirtybits]

Yes, of course!

[He thinks it should be obvious. Why, no one knows. By all rights he definitely looks like a native, if anything can indicate these things...]