You Fucking Nerd (Ehefra, Mikhail)

"Down with you, vile creature!"

Despite the fact that these beasts were hollows, they were not such grave threats that Mikhail had pushed himself particularly hard to take them down. Indeed, it required scarcely more than pointing his spirit weapon in their direction, and sending a short array of searing spears to pierce through them all. A handful of loud thunderclaps echoed through the air from the volley, and Mikhail put away his sword only when he was certain the creatures were felled.

Well, this part of the country was not quite so pretty as he might have hoped, was it? But these efforts to rebuild, and the remnants of war, certainly reminded him of other battlefields upon which he'd fought.

Well, no sense in dwelling on such things. He was, after all, on campaign.

"Ah, thank you dearly, fair maiden!"

Mikhail's own reikaku had kept him aware enough of the surroundings that he wasn't caught off guard by another presence speaking to him. The comely young woman seemed quite casual, forward, which was a welcome demeanor for a man of the highlands such as he. He gladly greeted her with a small wave, surveying the corpses for a moment to ensure nothing else came to scavenge before his attention returned fully to Ehefra.

"I am Sir Mikhail of the Dance, knight of Nartia. A pleasure to meet you."

Naturally, he offered a polite bow, his warm smile never faltering for even a moment.

Mikhail nodded as he visibly internalized her having come from Karakura, the location familiar enough in his mind, even if he had not personally visited. The question as to his own background was one he might not have expected so quickly, but nevertheless was one he was always proud to answer. There was not quite so much "cheer" in his voice as he replied, but there was still confidence, a unilateral assuredness in himself.

"While I have always been a warrior and a leader among my clan, it was only recently that I properly came into knighthood. The young Princess Nataliya has fallen into an unending slumber since the war against the hellspawn who once roamed the lands, and I took up this honorable post that I might campaign to find the cure for what ails her."

A noble quest, to be sure, but one that was no small weight for one to carry. It had been several years since the war, after all, and Mikhail's campaign had seen little in the way of success. But, even so, he did not falter.

"Your kindness is well appreciated. I have not eaten since the morning, though I always keep my camp well-stocked with game and provisions both."

Indeed, this part of the world felt almost like home to Mikhail, at least in some respects. Wide open spaces, good game, ample grassland to roam and sky under which to think. The only trouble was a lack of true mountains to enjoy, but he supposed those were further to the east and the west both, if the maps were to be trusted.

"I would, of course, hardly object to inviting you for said meal. If you are a fellow hunter of beasts, it is only right that a meal be shared, and I would hardly be opposed to pleasant company."

Despite Ehefra's possible reservations, there was no indication of malice on Mikhail's part as he spoke. Such discourtesy would not do well to a knight of valor and honor, after all, and there was perhaps no man alive who was more devoted to that cause than he.

Mikhail's smile remained, though at Ehefra's question, he brought a hand upward to his chin in a sort of exaggerated gesture of thought. A contribution, hm? Well, there was little need for such a thing, practically speaking. He was hardly the kind of man who would allow himself to be caught ill-prepared to show any traveller the proper hospitality, after all. However, her question struck him as a proper response of that same courtesy.

"I would certainly not be opposed to a hunt at your side, Lady Ehefra! Such sport is always welcome to build bonds between travellers, after all."

Like countless wandering heroes before him, Mikhail was all too willing to hunt at the side of another who had joined him. One needed only look at Sir Lancelot, or brave Khmish, to see the value in such a thing! Ah, though there were other aspects of their character that one needed consider as well. Well, such things needed not be addressed for the moment. A hunt was at hand, after all.

"Ah, though I would not think to utilize the quincy arts against wild animals, of course. Such would be cruel, and certainly unsporting. Worry not, however! I have more than suitable tools at hand."

Leading the way to his campsite, he gestured for her to enter the woodland clearing first, proper as anyone naturally should be. Though it was a camp in the woods, the tent was built on a rather sturdy wooden frame, and between the neatly-built firepit, the vegetables drying in the sun, and other such structures, it seemed as though this camp was nearly a semi-permanent home.

"What sort of hunting do you prefer? The bow, the spear? I would even lend my rifle to a fellow hunter, of course."