Character
Rynar felt the basilisk's pulse the moment he swung himself onto its armored back—an almost living hum beneath the plating, like a sleeping giant ready to wake. He let his hand trail across the edge of the controls, not activating them just yet, but familiarizing himself with the cold metal surface. The war droid wasn't just a machine to him—not with stories about their legacy burned into his childhood memories. It felt like a partner. One that chose its rider, maybe more than the other way around.
Cupcake chirped from where it sat on a small patch of sun-warmed stone near the sideline. Rynar cast a fond smile toward the creature. "Stay put," he instructed, voice low but warm. "I'll be back before you know it. Try not to heckle me if I get knocked on my back." Cupcake gave a trill that was just mischievous enough to be considered a promise.
He straightened, lifting his gaze across the field—and that's when he spotted her.
The rider across from him was already mounted, hair gathered into a loose, practical bun. Her voice echoed across the arena as she waved to the crowd with a radiant smile, all confidence and brightness. An uncommon energy for someone about to face down war droids. Rynar found himself smiling, too. Not a mocking one—just a quiet appreciation of her spirit.
He gave her a respectful nod from atop his mount, murmuring just loud enough for the crowd nearby to hear: "Good day for a ride." He tilted his head, adding a touch of wry amusement. "Try not to make me look too slow out there."
The basilisk flickered to life beneath him, its sensors glowing, posture settling into a ready crouch—like it understood, and accepted him. Rynar settled into the harness, fingers tightening around the controls, and let the thrum of the engine seep into his bones. A rush of steadying focus washed over him.
"One joust," he whispered, to himself—and to the ancient machine that carried him. "Let's give them a good one."
With a soft kick and a mechanical snarl, the basilisk strode forward. Rynar guided it into position at the edge of the field, Cupcake's golden eyes following from the sidelines. He shifted in his seat, a smirk returning as he glanced once more toward Lily's mount. No rivalry yet. Just two riders, ready to learn each other with lance and steel.
As the crowd settled and the announcer's voice began its booming introduction, Rynar lifted his lance arm in a quiet salute toward Lily. No words. Just the gesture—sportsmanship, and a promise of a good match.
The war droid trembled beneath him, eager for the charge. And Rynar, steady in the saddle, was ready too.
Lily Decoria
Pillar of Perseverance
Cupcake chirped from where it sat on a small patch of sun-warmed stone near the sideline. Rynar cast a fond smile toward the creature. "Stay put," he instructed, voice low but warm. "I'll be back before you know it. Try not to heckle me if I get knocked on my back." Cupcake gave a trill that was just mischievous enough to be considered a promise.
He straightened, lifting his gaze across the field—and that's when he spotted her.
The rider across from him was already mounted, hair gathered into a loose, practical bun. Her voice echoed across the arena as she waved to the crowd with a radiant smile, all confidence and brightness. An uncommon energy for someone about to face down war droids. Rynar found himself smiling, too. Not a mocking one—just a quiet appreciation of her spirit.
He gave her a respectful nod from atop his mount, murmuring just loud enough for the crowd nearby to hear: "Good day for a ride." He tilted his head, adding a touch of wry amusement. "Try not to make me look too slow out there."
The basilisk flickered to life beneath him, its sensors glowing, posture settling into a ready crouch—like it understood, and accepted him. Rynar settled into the harness, fingers tightening around the controls, and let the thrum of the engine seep into his bones. A rush of steadying focus washed over him.
"One joust," he whispered, to himself—and to the ancient machine that carried him. "Let's give them a good one."
With a soft kick and a mechanical snarl, the basilisk strode forward. Rynar guided it into position at the edge of the field, Cupcake's golden eyes following from the sidelines. He shifted in his seat, a smirk returning as he glanced once more toward Lily's mount. No rivalry yet. Just two riders, ready to learn each other with lance and steel.
As the crowd settled and the announcer's voice began its booming introduction, Rynar lifted his lance arm in a quiet salute toward Lily. No words. Just the gesture—sportsmanship, and a promise of a good match.
The war droid trembled beneath him, eager for the charge. And Rynar, steady in the saddle, was ready too.