Post by Lio Agouti on Jun 2, 2021 20:27:14 GMT -5
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"There's a fork in the road in front of me,
At the crossroads of identity.
The Devil is standing to the left.
He says "Either way, they both lead to death.""
- Follow My Feet by The Unlikely Candidates [X]
[attr=class,char-name]Lio "Bunyoro" Agouti
"There's a fork in the road in front of me,
At the crossroads of identity.
The Devil is standing to the left.
He says "Either way, they both lead to death.""
- Follow My Feet by The Unlikely Candidates [X]
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Date of Birth: August 1st, 7 AV
Species: Faunus (Bunyoro Rabbit)
Romantic Orientation: Bisexual
Aura Color: Dull Yellow
Height: 173cm (5'6 ft)
Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs)
Color Naming Rule: Agouti is a type of fur coloration in which each hair displays two or more bands of pigmentation. As a result, the overall appearance of agouti fur is usually gray or dull brown, although dull yellow is also possible.
Semblance Name: Plus and Minus
Rank of Semblance: D
Semblance Type: Clones
Primary Category: Hazard (+2 base, plus +1 for specialization)
Secondary Category: Hazard (+1 to all rolls)
One Sentence Summary of Semblance: Lio Agouti has the clone semblance of Plus and Minus which allows the wielder to produce a single clone with the benefit of exerting physical force, non-zero durability, and clone and user being able to move while semblance is activated.
Description of Semblance: As a worn traveller, going on a journey alone is not ideal for those too weak or lacking in confidence when it comes to fighting any enemies they come across. Fortunately for Lio he has always had a companion when he travelled, even if that person is technically himself. When Lio activates his semblance a single clone of himself is produced. The clone is a mirror image of Lio with perfect (if asymmetrical) detail of his face, whatever clothes he was wearing at the time, and the tools/ weapons he was holding. None of it is real however, being an aura construct afterall, and will dissipate when semblance meets one of it's deactivating conditions.
Both the clone and the user can move at the same time while the semblance is activated. The clone is semi-autonomous, like an extension of Lio's body that can move without much concentration but fine motor tasks require greater concentration.
The clone is also able to exert physical force, pick up, and manipulate objects in the world which makes it ideal for physical labour and doing dangerous tasks that would more likely kill or maim a real person.
The clone has non-zero durability. If the clone is hit by an attack at or above Lio's semblance rank the clone is destroyed immediately.
Flavourwise, the clone is often depicted as being made of living electricity.
Drawbacks of Semblance:
If Lio wants to dismiss the clone, he must be physically touching the clone, and consciously deactivate his semblance.
If the clone is hit by an attack at or above Lio's semblance rank the clone is destroyed immediately.
The clone dissolves if it moves farther than his range, the length of a telephone pole (10-12 meters).
The clone is destroyed if Lio's aura breaks.
The clone does not provide extra "moves" in combat. The clone does only semblance damage.
Weapon Name: Steel Shovel
Rank of Weapon(s): F
Category: Combatants (0)
Description of Weapons(s): It is a shovel made out of steel. He grabbed it when he left Hyakunosuke farm and regards it as nothing more than a temporary tool that he will immediately replace once he gets his hands on a real weapon.
Name of Non-Combat Ability: Hardworking (Strength)
Rank of Non-Combat Ability: E
Category: Hazard (+1)
Description of Non-Combat Ability: Lio has already been a hardworker before he came to the Revolutionary League and even if he is not particularly skilled with his hands he can be relied on to do manual labour so long as he gets a meal at the end of the day. With this ability Lio can lift up to 140-150 kg overhead. This ability cannot be used for combat.
Name of Combat Ability: Shovel Knight (Martial Arts)
Rank of Combat Ability: E
Category: Combatants (+1)
Description of Combat Ability: Lio had thought his fighting ability was good enough when he was back in Vacuo but now that he looks back on it, if he hadn't been so lucky in avoiding danger he would have been slaughtered whether he was in Vacuo or Mistral. While he is strong and can fight at the same level as a 2nd-year trainee, Lio's fighting style is hardly special, other than the laughable weapon he possesses.
Name of Combat Ability: Vacuoan Survivalist (Durability)
Rank of Combat Ability: F
Category: Hazard (0)
Description of Combat Ability: The Vacuoans have known struggle and hardship but no matter the pains they go through they endure. Lio has not had an easy life but he has managed through the violence of life to become the man he is today. No matter what challenges he is faced with, Lio will not surrender. Even if he is caught between the sharp teeth of a monster, grimm or man, Lio will do whatever it takes to survive. Lio is about as durable as wood.
Primary Drive: Lio had sought to join the Revolutionary League for the opportunity to acquire their training, to become stronger, and to enjoy their protection. A lone individual fighting a gang is an unwinnable prospect but if you join an ever bigger one, there is less to be afraid of. That said, Lio looks after himself before he is willing to work for others. He wouldn't be with the League if they didn't provide so much in terms of supplies, food, and shelter.
While he did join the League for his own selfish reasons he does see the value in their mission. Providing training and resources to those who want it, improving communities' self-reliance through development and infrastructure, and reaching out to those in most of need are certainly noble, he would say but he is not by any means passionate about the cause. He is willing enough to contribute to their goals when he is ordered to but he won't go out of his way to do so, especially if helping others comes at a cost to himself.
Rather than empathy for the common man, Lio has convinced himself any source of societal progress comes when people understand the simple truth of life. Strength is the only thing that matters when it comes to taking control of your life. The Mistrallians have grown lax, relying on a group of a few powerful individuals when they need to be looking after themselves. Strength and self-sufficiency go hand in hand in Vacuo and anyone, no matter if they are from the Kozaks or the Council, is exempt from this.
Fears: Lio's primary fears are about imprisonment, and being restrained or put into situations without a clear escape route. While not specifically claustrophobic, Lio is terrified of being in a position where he is unable to escape whether it is being put into a locked cage, handcuffs or chains, or just being completely surrounded by enemies. This does not necessarily result in strange coping mechanisms as the context of his situation matters to Lio but he would be quick to panic if he ever was put into such a situation. After all, being afraid of having one's freedom taken away is quite a rational fear.
Lio is also afraid of being eaten alive. More so founded during his childhood in Vacuo, the bloodlust and hunger of the grimm were something to dread whenever packs of grimm were encountered around the edges of villages, killing those that strayed too far and eating with endless appetite. Of course, the wildlife of Vacuo also promoted that fear, with buzzards and stray coyotes not being picky with those who had died of dehydration in the desert. If Lio were to die, while he knows he would not be conscious enough to be upset about it, he would hope that he wouldn't be reduced to something else's meal.
Lio is deathly afraid of Apathy grimm. During his travels a herd of Apathy had strayed close to the caravan he was with at the time and subjected them to its numbing effects. They were not under its spell for long as a huntsman was in the area but for an entire day they struggled to get away. The draining effect of the Apathy were one of the reasons Grimm were not attracted to them despite their vulnerability and why they survived the night without being slaughtered. None the less the experience itself was traumatizing and he would say the best course of action would be to kill any Apathy straight away.
Style of Self-Expression: Lio's personality is best described as sweet-and-sour as he is someone capable of caring greatly about those closest to him while also being unsociable in most other contexts.
To those that do not know him, Lio can come off as an asocial person. While he doesn't mind working with others he actively resists making connections with other Kozak's he doesn't personally know. Lio does his best to be polite and short to the point to cover up his lack of self confidence as he was always a bit skittish even before he arrived in Mistral.
For Lio, actions are worth more than words and he does give recognition to those who are competent, hardworking, and generous. In an ideal world people's personal value would be easy to see so Lio would be better able to categorize them appropriately but he understands that is almost never the case.
He dislikes anything that can be seen as manipulating people. A display of kindness in order to win a favour or a show of intimidation to force a response. He knows that sometimes it can't be helped, recognizing the Kozak's are a group willing to apply a soft or heavy hand depending on who they are dealing with, but he would prefer it if people were straight to the point if they want something from him personally.
He does not trust easily, which is something that can only be developed with time with Lio. Those willing to wait it out find that Lio is reliable and generous to those he cares for.
Lastly, Lio is somewhat of a superstitious person with some habits and rituals born out of old wives tales from Vacuo and some paranoid habits he picked up after he arrived in Mistral. Some vary from being minor and unobtrusive to actually inconvenient to others but Lio likes his rituals. While he may recognize how ridiculous it seems he finds they are good for comforting himself and will fall back on them during times of stress.
Most Important Thing: Lio understands the importance of strength, felt the cost of forgetting such an important rule. No man can live a satisfying life without being strong enough to secure his own freedom.
But still, Lio has these thoughts that make him wonder if he wouldn't mind being weak, to rely on someone else's protection. To him, the idea of being a civilian that never has to face Grimm, endure combat or to suffer from war is a luxury he wants for himself. It seems that Lio has not completely forgotten his dreams of making a new life in Mistral, despite it all.
Sometimes he thinks these kinds of impulses are traitorous thoughts, after all those soft bodied upper class Mistrallians are one of the things the Kozaks are fighting back against.
But Lio can't help but dream and if he had the opportunity to live in the capital of Mistral, own his own house, buy food from a real supermarket, he might take it. So long as the price wasn't too steep, and he could genuinely feel safe enough to enjoy some modern comforts.
Lio is not particularly empathetic to those outside of his personal relationships. There are countless tragedies whether you are living in Vacuo or Mistral and while it is noble to try to save as many as you can, sometimes all a person can do is save themselves, and if they are strong enough, save those you care for. Even if countless people suffered out of his sight, Lio wouldn't dwell on it. It would just be like what happens in Vacuo everyday after all. All Lio can do is keep himself safe and to become strong enough to never be a victim again. He doesn't have the energy to be concerned about strangers living in villages he's never heard of.
The concept of strength is something Vacuoans obsess over but the definition of what strength means is not simple. For Lio, the strength you have determines your role in life, the responsibilities that you can take on, and what kind of limits exist for you. The world reflects this as the strong have different philosophies and values than someone considered weaker than them.
Whether you are capable of being strong enough for yourself, being strong enough for those weaker than you, and being strong enough to empower more.
How strong you are determines what change you affect the world. As for Lio, he is only strong enough to concern himself and protect his own life. If he becomes strong enough he might consider putting more effort into helping the Revolutionary League but for now he is limited.
While part of Lio doesn't want to put himself into unnecessary danger or to put attention on himself, he might throw caution to the wind if he sees a chance to attack bandits without getting kicked out of the Revolutionary League. The fact that the Kozaks accept reformed bandits into their group is one of the most unforgivable things about them. While the League's outreach relies on acquiring allies to unite themselves against the Council, Lio would be loudly of the opinion that they ought to be more selective and just treat all bandits as their enemies.
"In Vacuo, there is no room for useless brats. Learn a trade, grow stronger, and, for god's sake, learn to use a dust-damned knife."
All his life, Lio knew that there would be no mercy, no generosity, no salvation waiting for him if he allowed his weakness to get the better of him.
He thought he had understood that but he had needed time to truly learn that lesson.
As a child, he had been provided an education on the street that taught him everything that people believed a Vacuoan needed to ever know. On long nights huddled around the fire the other boys told him stories about whimsical adventures of Vacuoan children, often with strange ears like his, and how they were able to outsmart monsters and cannibals through clever thinking and resourcefulness. Later when he was strong enough, he begged a local huntress to unlock his aura, and was trained to fight with a weapon by good men. He had been given everything he needed to survive in the treacherous land of Vacuo and to make a good life for himself.
What a shame he ever decided to go to Mistral.
Dissatisfied with life in Vacuo, Lio Agouti dreamed of starting a new life in one of the other kingdoms. He was strong enough to survive in Vacuo, he could have enjoyed a modest life. But one does not want to struggle so much for the bare minimum of comforts. While the local men chided the other kingdoms for their weakness, Lio decided he wouldn't mind being weak if it meant relative safety, frequent meals, and a secure roof over his head. He convinced himself that his parents would have supported his dream to travel and to find opportunities that they were not able to have.
On his 17th birthday, he bought himself a one-way ticket to Mistral, landing at one of the eastern sea ports by one of the riverside towns. His first experience of Mistral was an uneasy one; in unfamiliar lands he could not know what to expect but the people were polite enough, if stingy about lien. The inhabitants in this town were used to trading goods and were cordial to seaside travellers but only to a point. This was not a town that invited people to make new lives in, but rather they wanted people to trade their goods and move on. Lio had no skills in bartering and could not find work as a ship labourer so he had to accept he must continue searching for a new home.
During this search he was approached by some men in suits and given an offer that would change his life.
Apparently there was a newly settled village further inland that needed farmhands to work the soil and labourers to build new homes and walls for the expanding townstead. Inclined to hasten their village’s development, the strongman or “mayor” was sending out offers of employment to nearby settlements and was supposedly willing to help new immigrants find homes so long as they did their share of work.
Thinking not much of it, Lio had jumped at the offer. Afterall, in Vacuo the hiring of daylabourers off the streets was not so unusual. Coming in to three square meals and getting their coinage at the end of the day seemed straightforward. After all, the world did not take care of those that didn’t do the work.
Promised a better life by the kind men, Lio made his way to the work camp alongside a caravan of displaced travellers and immigrants hoping to start new lives. It was an arduous journey but the people possessed a strong will and a desire to find stability in their lives no matter the temporary pains they had to endure.
They arrived with no casualties and only a little later than scheduled. However they did not find a cozy little village, filled with Mistrallian hospitality.
They found guns and spear points directed at them in the same hands of those kind men along with those like them.
Slavers whose ideas of opportunity were dependent on control and subjugation.
So were they foolish to let themselves be caught by this scheme? Were they desperate or just stupid? These kinds of thoughts would plague Lio, who very much wished he had made better choices although that dream of making a new life continued to slip away.
The fate of their particular group was to work in the mines. Dust deposits from an abandoned outpost that the bandits had total control over. Enforcing control was rather simple for the vagabonds. If they brought up enough dust they got to eat. If they tried to escape they would be hunted down. Clear rules meant for a straightforward life said the bandits who did not venture into the mines.
Lio endured it for over a year, crawling into small mineshafts to get at hidden deposits, and praying that he would be lucky to escape the numerous ways to die in a volatile dust mine.
He prayed that he would escape one day, that someone would rescue them.
But then one day they were merely let go. The bandits guided them out of the mines, gave them worn but clean clothes, herded them to the outskirts of a small village and told to start walking in that direction.
It had turned out that during all that time he was in the mines the leader of the bandit tribe was cut down by another competing group and the remaining bandits incorporated into the fold. And the new leader, discovering the source of the dust resources had taken one look at the slaves and demanded that they be released back into society.
Lio was not rescued, had not escaped, but was just let go one day by one bandit leader that showed up possessing some morals and a spine.
Wasn't that hilarious? Helpless until the end, spared on a whim.
Starting his new life in this new village, Lio had to wonder what he had done to get to this point. He had dreamed too big, trusted too much, suffered under evil men, but was spared for no good reason. What logic in the world was this? What cruel gods had written his destiny? Had Lio been at fault by some moral standard that mere men could not understand?
Whatever destiny had planned for him, whatever logic there was to be gleaned from this experience, Lio decided he didn't want it.
He wanted to forget it all and move on.
Lio started his new life in the village of Hyakunosuke, taking up the life of a farmer. He had finally achieved his dream, to live a decent life in the Kingdom of Mistral. But now he knew it could all be taken away from him. If bandits attempted to attack a village he tried to live in, or if that new bandit leader was replaced with someone even more cruel, he doubted he would have the same good fortune again.
The only way to get by in this world is to acquire the strength to secure your own freedom. The Vacuoans had learned that after the Great War. Lio had forgotten that, but now he knew better.
The Revolutionary League adopted the village of Hyakunosuke in the December of 27th AV as part of it's expanding influence and Lio had followed their militia back to the village of Kerch and volunteered for training. He had considered himself strong but experience had shown how wrong he was. He wanted to gain a part of the strength and protection that the Revolutionary League could provide and he is willing to do their bidding to acquire them. He doesn't dare hope for anything more than that.
The woman finally relented to the faunus child's demands and unlocked his aura. Despite his assumptions, she was no huntress but it was easier that he believed that she was. To be honest, it didn't matter but some part of her wondered if it would be better if a real huntsman did this instead.
His life would be hard but he didn't need an old woman to tell him that. She wouldn't be able to provide him with much. After this he would be on his own but maybe this would be enough to protect him.
"For it is in our enduring spirit that we may fulfil our purpose as children of Vacuo. Through this blessing, may we be emboldened and given the strength to rise above our greatest struggles. Little warrior of my heart, I pass onto you the legacy of the gods, release your soul, and protect thee."
 | [attr=class,title nomargin]Age 21 [attr=class,title]Gender Male [attr=class,title]Faction Revolutionary League [attr=class,title]Tier Freshman [attr=class,title]Face Claim Ayerscarpe from Arknights [attr=class,title]OOC Name Kazuki |
[attr=class,main-title-left rl]Character Traits
Date of Birth: August 1st, 7 AV
Species: Faunus (Bunyoro Rabbit)
Romantic Orientation: Bisexual
Aura Color: Dull Yellow
Height: 173cm (5'6 ft)
Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs)
Color Naming Rule: Agouti is a type of fur coloration in which each hair displays two or more bands of pigmentation. As a result, the overall appearance of agouti fur is usually gray or dull brown, although dull yellow is also possible.
[attr=class,main-title-right rl]Combat And Inventory
[attr=class,title]Semblance
Semblance Name: Plus and Minus
Rank of Semblance: D
Semblance Type: Clones
Primary Category: Hazard (+2 base, plus +1 for specialization)
Secondary Category: Hazard (+1 to all rolls)
One Sentence Summary of Semblance: Lio Agouti has the clone semblance of Plus and Minus which allows the wielder to produce a single clone with the benefit of exerting physical force, non-zero durability, and clone and user being able to move while semblance is activated.
Description of Semblance: As a worn traveller, going on a journey alone is not ideal for those too weak or lacking in confidence when it comes to fighting any enemies they come across. Fortunately for Lio he has always had a companion when he travelled, even if that person is technically himself. When Lio activates his semblance a single clone of himself is produced. The clone is a mirror image of Lio with perfect (if asymmetrical) detail of his face, whatever clothes he was wearing at the time, and the tools/ weapons he was holding. None of it is real however, being an aura construct afterall, and will dissipate when semblance meets one of it's deactivating conditions.
Both the clone and the user can move at the same time while the semblance is activated. The clone is semi-autonomous, like an extension of Lio's body that can move without much concentration but fine motor tasks require greater concentration.
The clone is also able to exert physical force, pick up, and manipulate objects in the world which makes it ideal for physical labour and doing dangerous tasks that would more likely kill or maim a real person.
The clone has non-zero durability. If the clone is hit by an attack at or above Lio's semblance rank the clone is destroyed immediately.
Flavourwise, the clone is often depicted as being made of living electricity.
Drawbacks of Semblance:
If Lio wants to dismiss the clone, he must be physically touching the clone, and consciously deactivate his semblance.
If the clone is hit by an attack at or above Lio's semblance rank the clone is destroyed immediately.
The clone dissolves if it moves farther than his range, the length of a telephone pole (10-12 meters).
The clone is destroyed if Lio's aura breaks.
The clone does not provide extra "moves" in combat. The clone does only semblance damage.
[attr=class,title]Weapon(s)
Weapon Name: Steel Shovel
Rank of Weapon(s): F
Category: Combatants (0)
Description of Weapons(s): It is a shovel made out of steel. He grabbed it when he left Hyakunosuke farm and regards it as nothing more than a temporary tool that he will immediately replace once he gets his hands on a real weapon.
[attr=class,title]Non-Combat Abilities
Name of Non-Combat Ability: Hardworking (Strength)
Rank of Non-Combat Ability: E
Category: Hazard (+1)
Description of Non-Combat Ability: Lio has already been a hardworker before he came to the Revolutionary League and even if he is not particularly skilled with his hands he can be relied on to do manual labour so long as he gets a meal at the end of the day. With this ability Lio can lift up to 140-150 kg overhead. This ability cannot be used for combat.
[attr=class,title]Combat Abilities
Name of Combat Ability: Shovel Knight (Martial Arts)
Rank of Combat Ability: E
Category: Combatants (+1)
Description of Combat Ability: Lio had thought his fighting ability was good enough when he was back in Vacuo but now that he looks back on it, if he hadn't been so lucky in avoiding danger he would have been slaughtered whether he was in Vacuo or Mistral. While he is strong and can fight at the same level as a 2nd-year trainee, Lio's fighting style is hardly special, other than the laughable weapon he possesses.
Name of Combat Ability: Vacuoan Survivalist (Durability)
Rank of Combat Ability: F
Category: Hazard (0)
Description of Combat Ability: The Vacuoans have known struggle and hardship but no matter the pains they go through they endure. Lio has not had an easy life but he has managed through the violence of life to become the man he is today. No matter what challenges he is faced with, Lio will not surrender. Even if he is caught between the sharp teeth of a monster, grimm or man, Lio will do whatever it takes to survive. Lio is about as durable as wood.
[attr=class,main-title-left rl]Character Information
[attr=class,title]Vitals
Primary Drive: Lio had sought to join the Revolutionary League for the opportunity to acquire their training, to become stronger, and to enjoy their protection. A lone individual fighting a gang is an unwinnable prospect but if you join an ever bigger one, there is less to be afraid of. That said, Lio looks after himself before he is willing to work for others. He wouldn't be with the League if they didn't provide so much in terms of supplies, food, and shelter.
While he did join the League for his own selfish reasons he does see the value in their mission. Providing training and resources to those who want it, improving communities' self-reliance through development and infrastructure, and reaching out to those in most of need are certainly noble, he would say but he is not by any means passionate about the cause. He is willing enough to contribute to their goals when he is ordered to but he won't go out of his way to do so, especially if helping others comes at a cost to himself.
Rather than empathy for the common man, Lio has convinced himself any source of societal progress comes when people understand the simple truth of life. Strength is the only thing that matters when it comes to taking control of your life. The Mistrallians have grown lax, relying on a group of a few powerful individuals when they need to be looking after themselves. Strength and self-sufficiency go hand in hand in Vacuo and anyone, no matter if they are from the Kozaks or the Council, is exempt from this.
Fears: Lio's primary fears are about imprisonment, and being restrained or put into situations without a clear escape route. While not specifically claustrophobic, Lio is terrified of being in a position where he is unable to escape whether it is being put into a locked cage, handcuffs or chains, or just being completely surrounded by enemies. This does not necessarily result in strange coping mechanisms as the context of his situation matters to Lio but he would be quick to panic if he ever was put into such a situation. After all, being afraid of having one's freedom taken away is quite a rational fear.
Lio is also afraid of being eaten alive. More so founded during his childhood in Vacuo, the bloodlust and hunger of the grimm were something to dread whenever packs of grimm were encountered around the edges of villages, killing those that strayed too far and eating with endless appetite. Of course, the wildlife of Vacuo also promoted that fear, with buzzards and stray coyotes not being picky with those who had died of dehydration in the desert. If Lio were to die, while he knows he would not be conscious enough to be upset about it, he would hope that he wouldn't be reduced to something else's meal.
Lio is deathly afraid of Apathy grimm. During his travels a herd of Apathy had strayed close to the caravan he was with at the time and subjected them to its numbing effects. They were not under its spell for long as a huntsman was in the area but for an entire day they struggled to get away. The draining effect of the Apathy were one of the reasons Grimm were not attracted to them despite their vulnerability and why they survived the night without being slaughtered. None the less the experience itself was traumatizing and he would say the best course of action would be to kill any Apathy straight away.
Style of Self-Expression: Lio's personality is best described as sweet-and-sour as he is someone capable of caring greatly about those closest to him while also being unsociable in most other contexts.
To those that do not know him, Lio can come off as an asocial person. While he doesn't mind working with others he actively resists making connections with other Kozak's he doesn't personally know. Lio does his best to be polite and short to the point to cover up his lack of self confidence as he was always a bit skittish even before he arrived in Mistral.
For Lio, actions are worth more than words and he does give recognition to those who are competent, hardworking, and generous. In an ideal world people's personal value would be easy to see so Lio would be better able to categorize them appropriately but he understands that is almost never the case.
He dislikes anything that can be seen as manipulating people. A display of kindness in order to win a favour or a show of intimidation to force a response. He knows that sometimes it can't be helped, recognizing the Kozak's are a group willing to apply a soft or heavy hand depending on who they are dealing with, but he would prefer it if people were straight to the point if they want something from him personally.
He does not trust easily, which is something that can only be developed with time with Lio. Those willing to wait it out find that Lio is reliable and generous to those he cares for.
Lastly, Lio is somewhat of a superstitious person with some habits and rituals born out of old wives tales from Vacuo and some paranoid habits he picked up after he arrived in Mistral. Some vary from being minor and unobtrusive to actually inconvenient to others but Lio likes his rituals. While he may recognize how ridiculous it seems he finds they are good for comforting himself and will fall back on them during times of stress.
Most Important Thing: Lio understands the importance of strength, felt the cost of forgetting such an important rule. No man can live a satisfying life without being strong enough to secure his own freedom.
But still, Lio has these thoughts that make him wonder if he wouldn't mind being weak, to rely on someone else's protection. To him, the idea of being a civilian that never has to face Grimm, endure combat or to suffer from war is a luxury he wants for himself. It seems that Lio has not completely forgotten his dreams of making a new life in Mistral, despite it all.
Sometimes he thinks these kinds of impulses are traitorous thoughts, after all those soft bodied upper class Mistrallians are one of the things the Kozaks are fighting back against.
But Lio can't help but dream and if he had the opportunity to live in the capital of Mistral, own his own house, buy food from a real supermarket, he might take it. So long as the price wasn't too steep, and he could genuinely feel safe enough to enjoy some modern comforts.
Lio is not particularly empathetic to those outside of his personal relationships. There are countless tragedies whether you are living in Vacuo or Mistral and while it is noble to try to save as many as you can, sometimes all a person can do is save themselves, and if they are strong enough, save those you care for. Even if countless people suffered out of his sight, Lio wouldn't dwell on it. It would just be like what happens in Vacuo everyday after all. All Lio can do is keep himself safe and to become strong enough to never be a victim again. He doesn't have the energy to be concerned about strangers living in villages he's never heard of.
The concept of strength is something Vacuoans obsess over but the definition of what strength means is not simple. For Lio, the strength you have determines your role in life, the responsibilities that you can take on, and what kind of limits exist for you. The world reflects this as the strong have different philosophies and values than someone considered weaker than them.
Whether you are capable of being strong enough for yourself, being strong enough for those weaker than you, and being strong enough to empower more.
How strong you are determines what change you affect the world. As for Lio, he is only strong enough to concern himself and protect his own life. If he becomes strong enough he might consider putting more effort into helping the Revolutionary League but for now he is limited.
While part of Lio doesn't want to put himself into unnecessary danger or to put attention on himself, he might throw caution to the wind if he sees a chance to attack bandits without getting kicked out of the Revolutionary League. The fact that the Kozaks accept reformed bandits into their group is one of the most unforgivable things about them. While the League's outreach relies on acquiring allies to unite themselves against the Council, Lio would be loudly of the opinion that they ought to be more selective and just treat all bandits as their enemies.
[attr=class,title]History Freeform
"In Vacuo, there is no room for useless brats. Learn a trade, grow stronger, and, for god's sake, learn to use a dust-damned knife."
All his life, Lio knew that there would be no mercy, no generosity, no salvation waiting for him if he allowed his weakness to get the better of him.
He thought he had understood that but he had needed time to truly learn that lesson.
As a child, he had been provided an education on the street that taught him everything that people believed a Vacuoan needed to ever know. On long nights huddled around the fire the other boys told him stories about whimsical adventures of Vacuoan children, often with strange ears like his, and how they were able to outsmart monsters and cannibals through clever thinking and resourcefulness. Later when he was strong enough, he begged a local huntress to unlock his aura, and was trained to fight with a weapon by good men. He had been given everything he needed to survive in the treacherous land of Vacuo and to make a good life for himself.
What a shame he ever decided to go to Mistral.
Dissatisfied with life in Vacuo, Lio Agouti dreamed of starting a new life in one of the other kingdoms. He was strong enough to survive in Vacuo, he could have enjoyed a modest life. But one does not want to struggle so much for the bare minimum of comforts. While the local men chided the other kingdoms for their weakness, Lio decided he wouldn't mind being weak if it meant relative safety, frequent meals, and a secure roof over his head. He convinced himself that his parents would have supported his dream to travel and to find opportunities that they were not able to have.
On his 17th birthday, he bought himself a one-way ticket to Mistral, landing at one of the eastern sea ports by one of the riverside towns. His first experience of Mistral was an uneasy one; in unfamiliar lands he could not know what to expect but the people were polite enough, if stingy about lien. The inhabitants in this town were used to trading goods and were cordial to seaside travellers but only to a point. This was not a town that invited people to make new lives in, but rather they wanted people to trade their goods and move on. Lio had no skills in bartering and could not find work as a ship labourer so he had to accept he must continue searching for a new home.
During this search he was approached by some men in suits and given an offer that would change his life.
Apparently there was a newly settled village further inland that needed farmhands to work the soil and labourers to build new homes and walls for the expanding townstead. Inclined to hasten their village’s development, the strongman or “mayor” was sending out offers of employment to nearby settlements and was supposedly willing to help new immigrants find homes so long as they did their share of work.
Thinking not much of it, Lio had jumped at the offer. Afterall, in Vacuo the hiring of daylabourers off the streets was not so unusual. Coming in to three square meals and getting their coinage at the end of the day seemed straightforward. After all, the world did not take care of those that didn’t do the work.
Promised a better life by the kind men, Lio made his way to the work camp alongside a caravan of displaced travellers and immigrants hoping to start new lives. It was an arduous journey but the people possessed a strong will and a desire to find stability in their lives no matter the temporary pains they had to endure.
They arrived with no casualties and only a little later than scheduled. However they did not find a cozy little village, filled with Mistrallian hospitality.
They found guns and spear points directed at them in the same hands of those kind men along with those like them.
Slavers whose ideas of opportunity were dependent on control and subjugation.
So were they foolish to let themselves be caught by this scheme? Were they desperate or just stupid? These kinds of thoughts would plague Lio, who very much wished he had made better choices although that dream of making a new life continued to slip away.
The fate of their particular group was to work in the mines. Dust deposits from an abandoned outpost that the bandits had total control over. Enforcing control was rather simple for the vagabonds. If they brought up enough dust they got to eat. If they tried to escape they would be hunted down. Clear rules meant for a straightforward life said the bandits who did not venture into the mines.
Lio endured it for over a year, crawling into small mineshafts to get at hidden deposits, and praying that he would be lucky to escape the numerous ways to die in a volatile dust mine.
He prayed that he would escape one day, that someone would rescue them.
But then one day they were merely let go. The bandits guided them out of the mines, gave them worn but clean clothes, herded them to the outskirts of a small village and told to start walking in that direction.
It had turned out that during all that time he was in the mines the leader of the bandit tribe was cut down by another competing group and the remaining bandits incorporated into the fold. And the new leader, discovering the source of the dust resources had taken one look at the slaves and demanded that they be released back into society.
Lio was not rescued, had not escaped, but was just let go one day by one bandit leader that showed up possessing some morals and a spine.
Wasn't that hilarious? Helpless until the end, spared on a whim.
Starting his new life in this new village, Lio had to wonder what he had done to get to this point. He had dreamed too big, trusted too much, suffered under evil men, but was spared for no good reason. What logic in the world was this? What cruel gods had written his destiny? Had Lio been at fault by some moral standard that mere men could not understand?
Whatever destiny had planned for him, whatever logic there was to be gleaned from this experience, Lio decided he didn't want it.
He wanted to forget it all and move on.
Lio started his new life in the village of Hyakunosuke, taking up the life of a farmer. He had finally achieved his dream, to live a decent life in the Kingdom of Mistral. But now he knew it could all be taken away from him. If bandits attempted to attack a village he tried to live in, or if that new bandit leader was replaced with someone even more cruel, he doubted he would have the same good fortune again.
The only way to get by in this world is to acquire the strength to secure your own freedom. The Vacuoans had learned that after the Great War. Lio had forgotten that, but now he knew better.
The Revolutionary League adopted the village of Hyakunosuke in the December of 27th AV as part of it's expanding influence and Lio had followed their militia back to the village of Kerch and volunteered for training. He had considered himself strong but experience had shown how wrong he was. He wanted to gain a part of the strength and protection that the Revolutionary League could provide and he is willing to do their bidding to acquire them. He doesn't dare hope for anything more than that.
The woman finally relented to the faunus child's demands and unlocked his aura. Despite his assumptions, she was no huntress but it was easier that he believed that she was. To be honest, it didn't matter but some part of her wondered if it would be better if a real huntsman did this instead.
His life would be hard but he didn't need an old woman to tell him that. She wouldn't be able to provide him with much. After this he would be on his own but maybe this would be enough to protect him.
"For it is in our enduring spirit that we may fulfil our purpose as children of Vacuo. Through this blessing, may we be emboldened and given the strength to rise above our greatest struggles. Little warrior of my heart, I pass onto you the legacy of the gods, release your soul, and protect thee."
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