I did not realize Flat considered me a teacher of his.
[Spoken frankly, because the surprise is evident on his expression and there's no reason to shield it from Waver's critical gaze. That Flat thought of him as a teacher, yes, Chiron knew very well, but this... complicates matters, if Flat holds him in any similar regard to Waver, even if only slight.
... Such a mess this continues to snowball into. He could choke the kitsune, no matter that it's his own neck that would be snapped by the effort.]
Very well. [An accommodating nod] I will be contacting him shortly after our discussion.
[And that is that, Chiron decides, on the matter of Flat, seeing no need to wallow in guilt when a path has been laid out before him. He will judge for himself if mercy and forgiveness are on the forefront of the child's mind, and keep Waver's counsel in mind all the while.
... Which leads him to the next point on the agenda, and Chiron fights to keep his shoulders square instead of sloped with weariness. His eyes tick up, meeting his fellow Servant's]
Of course, I also owe you an apology for the intrusion.
[And a favor. And perhaps a pound of blood. That's how it would have been done in Greece.]
[This is the second time something like this has happened, and Waver files it away for note. Sage he is, Chiron may not realize the extent of another's attachment, and perhaps he requires someone to tap him on the shoulder time to time.]
Mmmm...
[Yes, he nods. Yes, he does.]
Look, first things first. The transformations influence all of our judgements. I can't overlook what happened, however, not taking into account that would be just as wrong, Archer.
We're both furious about this. [Oh come on, he knows. Don't even try to deny it. A warrior like you prides himself on his control, and poof, it slips and look what happens. Combine that with duty and responsibility...] But I don't want blood. Not for this. It can be made up for in some other way.
He thinks, quietly, that he might have preferred Caster's wrath, in hindsight. That is an easy hurdle to clear. Either they would solve their differences, or one of them would die. And if talking is included, well, there are no words that this man could string together to hurt him. Few people are ever offered such a luxury.
But the comment, the offhanded acknowledgement of the centaur's anger, his wounded pride and loss of self -- that is what draws Chiron's mouth into a sharp line, and the careful grip of his control slips for a beat, leaking excess heat into their shared connection like hell's barely contained fury.
Then the door is shut again. The fire disappears. Chiron leans back into his seat, considering]
And how would you prefer we go about this -- a favor as payment for the transgression?
[... no, he's not fine. Waver would say not fine before this incident, but absolutely not fine now. There's nothing to be fine with in this instance, another reaction would be worse, but still Waver's mouth momentarily pulls into a deeper scowl feeling the sheer hellfire of a wounded former deity, before he nods in agreement.]
I am amenable to that, yes.
[He does have something in mind and he was thinking about eventually asking. He wishes the circumstances were different, though.]
Very well. If you've an idea of your claim, then speak it.
[within reason, of course. Within the parameters of Chiron's past mishaps, to make for a fitting exchange. Waver is no fool, and so it is not as if he expects to be asked to take down a moon, or that his fellow servant will risk burning down the bridge of their allyship over a petty wish...
But Chiron waits patiently all the same to hear what the Caster might ask of him, when there is clearly a debt to be paid.]
[... Waver would disagree on himself not being a fool, and he knows himself to be petty enough, but there will be none of that here. Instead Chiron can help him remedy best he can a vulnerability this place has left him with.
Caster is widely considered the weakest class to be in for a variety of reasons: their over dependence on magecraft, the fact that the members of that class often come from backgrounds that are not combat related, and the fact their physical stats are usually subpar for a Servant. There are exceptions of course, but close to melee range for most of them and they're sitting ducks.
Here, given the fact that they have to be incredibly mindful of both manna and mana (especially without an established Master), it's a logical, pragmatic request.
(but a vulnerable one, admitting of weakness, and no Servant or Mage enjoys that, even if it is necessary)]
Given the circumstances, my ability to practice magecraft is severely limited, even with Flat here to support me. [No, his kid is not his Master. Not yet, maybe not ever.] Which is... not ideal, especially if trouble should arise. I would ask that you teach me hand to hand so I would have something else to rely on in that kind of situation.
And so Chiron's eyes tick to the side, expression ... unreadable for the moment. It is, of course, a favor easily settled. The conditions are fair, and within his scope of ability. Had he a Master, more abundance of mana, there are ways they could speed up the process in Caster's favor, given a particular skill which Chiron was gifted.
Yet he takes his time in measuring a response, Chiron's eyes only coming back to rest on his companion when he seems to have reached some internal decision]
I accept those terms. I will teach you what I know until you reach mid-to-high level proficiency in the style of my choosing. [As there are many types of hand-to-hand combat, and in this case he thinks it best to defer to his experience with such matters, though he will of course explain his thought process at Waver's prompting.
... All of that being said:]
If I may -- I have a request.
[A rather bold statement given that they're here to hold Chiron accountable for past deeds, not trade favors, but even still...]
I haven't established any in practice [Mage Society, man. You just don't allow it unless you have no other choice, or a way to get out of it without suffering the cost.] but I am well versed in the theory of establishing many different types.
I've little interest in a repeat performance of what transpired, Caster.
[Eyes ticking away again, and for a beat... he is tired. Was it an unmitigated disaster? No. But it could of been. It very well could have been. And that is enough of a lesson for Chiron to take action in whatever way he deems necessary.
Even if that answer boils down to a collar of his own making.]
[The worst part is he'd do the same thing. The worst part is he gets it and Chiron needs that peace of mind. The terrifying part is that Waver worries such a collar might be taken advantage of in the future and he needs to make sure it can come off without negative consequence if necessary.]
[Slowly, happening in tiny increments, but Chiron feels a bit of tension finally bleed out of his shoulders once a way forward has been promised. And it's only fair, after all. A vulnerability for a vulnerability. A chance for each of them to account for each other's weaknesses.
... not particularly how Chiron imagined this conversation going, but it is not... unpleasant an outcome.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2021-06-05 08:49 pm (UTC)From:[Spoken frankly, because the surprise is evident on his expression and there's no reason to shield it from Waver's critical gaze. That Flat thought of him as a teacher, yes, Chiron knew very well, but this... complicates matters, if Flat holds him in any similar regard to Waver, even if only slight.
... Such a mess this continues to snowball into. He could choke the kitsune, no matter that it's his own neck that would be snapped by the effort.]
Very well. [An accommodating nod] I will be contacting him shortly after our discussion.
[And that is that, Chiron decides, on the matter of Flat, seeing no need to wallow in guilt when a path has been laid out before him. He will judge for himself if mercy and forgiveness are on the forefront of the child's mind, and keep Waver's counsel in mind all the while.
... Which leads him to the next point on the agenda, and Chiron fights to keep his shoulders square instead of sloped with weariness. His eyes tick up, meeting his fellow Servant's]
Of course, I also owe you an apology for the intrusion.
[And a favor. And perhaps a pound of blood. That's how it would have been done in Greece.]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-06 01:56 am (UTC)From:Mmmm...
[Yes, he nods. Yes, he does.]
Look, first things first. The transformations influence all of our judgements. I can't overlook what happened, however, not taking into account that would be just as wrong, Archer.
We're both furious about this. [Oh come on, he knows. Don't even try to deny it. A warrior like you prides himself on his control, and poof, it slips and look what happens. Combine that with duty and responsibility...] But I don't want blood. Not for this. It can be made up for in some other way.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-06 02:26 am (UTC)From:He thinks, quietly, that he might have preferred Caster's wrath, in hindsight. That is an easy hurdle to clear. Either they would solve their differences, or one of them would die. And if talking is included, well, there are no words that this man could string together to hurt him. Few people are ever offered such a luxury.
But the comment, the offhanded acknowledgement of the centaur's anger, his wounded pride and loss of self -- that is what draws Chiron's mouth into a sharp line, and the careful grip of his control slips for a beat, leaking excess heat into their shared connection like hell's barely contained fury.
Then the door is shut again. The fire disappears. Chiron leans back into his seat, considering]
And how would you prefer we go about this -- a favor as payment for the transgression?
[He is keeping this to business]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-06 06:32 am (UTC)From:I am amenable to that, yes.
[He does have something in mind and he was thinking about eventually asking. He wishes the circumstances were different, though.]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-06 12:49 pm (UTC)From:[within reason, of course. Within the parameters of Chiron's past mishaps, to make for a fitting exchange. Waver is no fool, and so it is not as if he expects to be asked to take down a moon, or that his fellow servant will risk burning down the bridge of their allyship over a petty wish...
But Chiron waits patiently all the same to hear what the Caster might ask of him, when there is clearly a debt to be paid.]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 01:10 am (UTC)From:Caster is widely considered the weakest class to be in for a variety of reasons: their over dependence on magecraft, the fact that the members of that class often come from backgrounds that are not combat related, and the fact their physical stats are usually subpar for a Servant. There are exceptions of course, but close to melee range for most of them and they're sitting ducks.
Here, given the fact that they have to be incredibly mindful of both manna and mana (especially without an established Master), it's a logical, pragmatic request.
(but a vulnerable one, admitting of weakness, and no Servant or Mage enjoys that, even if it is necessary)]
Given the circumstances, my ability to practice magecraft is severely limited, even with Flat here to support me. [No, his kid is not his Master. Not yet, maybe not ever.] Which is... not ideal, especially if trouble should arise. I would ask that you teach me hand to hand so I would have something else to rely on in that kind of situation.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 02:27 am (UTC)From:...
Ah.
And so Chiron's eyes tick to the side, expression ... unreadable for the moment. It is, of course, a favor easily settled. The conditions are fair, and within his scope of ability. Had he a Master, more abundance of mana, there are ways they could speed up the process in Caster's favor, given a particular skill which Chiron was gifted.
Yet he takes his time in measuring a response, Chiron's eyes only coming back to rest on his companion when he seems to have reached some internal decision]
I accept those terms. I will teach you what I know until you reach mid-to-high level proficiency in the style of my choosing. [As there are many types of hand-to-hand combat, and in this case he thinks it best to defer to his experience with such matters, though he will of course explain his thought process at Waver's prompting.
... All of that being said:]
If I may -- I have a request.
[A rather bold statement given that they're here to hold Chiron accountable for past deeds, not trade favors, but even still...]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 02:36 am (UTC)From:What would you like to request?
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 02:44 am (UTC)From:[...
He assumes he need not explain why he has asked such a thing.]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 03:07 am (UTC)From:I haven't established any in practice [Mage Society, man. You just don't allow it unless you have no other choice, or a way to get out of it without suffering the cost.] but I am well versed in the theory of establishing many different types.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 03:36 am (UTC)From:[...]
I've little interest in a repeat performance of what transpired, Caster.
[Eyes ticking away again, and for a beat... he is tired. Was it an unmitigated disaster? No. But it could of been. It very well could have been. And that is enough of a lesson for Chiron to take action in whatever way he deems necessary.
Even if that answer boils down to a collar of his own making.]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 05:12 am (UTC)From:[The worst part is he'd do the same thing. The worst part is he gets it and Chiron needs that peace of mind. The terrifying part is that Waver worries such a collar might be taken advantage of in the future and he needs to make sure it can come off without negative consequence if necessary.]
I will help you with that, then.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-07 01:57 pm (UTC)From:[Slowly, happening in tiny increments, but Chiron feels a bit of tension finally bleed out of his shoulders once a way forward has been promised. And it's only fair, after all. A vulnerability for a vulnerability. A chance for each of them to account for each other's weaknesses.
... not particularly how Chiron imagined this conversation going, but it is not... unpleasant an outcome.
...]
I truly am sorry for the trouble I've caused.