(Ah, he's quiet, letting the words sit in the air, feeling that weight and considering what it means. Looking down at his bow, he traces the silver of the frame with his finger, thinking,)
Perhaps you're right but that doesn't mean we're the same.
(And he looks up, eyes determined once more, as if that quiet spell had never even happened,)
Can I ask you a bit of a personal question, Teach? (And he's just going to cut to it,) Are you and Ruler close?
Now that I think about it, both of you have been going by strange names.
(So he wouldn't be surprised. Really, he actually feels kind of silly for not noticing it before. It can't be helped when there are so many unfamiliar names here but wow, it feels obvious now.)
[mm. And so his expression neutralizes again when Ruler is brought up.]
She is a comrade of mine, yes.
[there's nothing to hide in that regard; this is a fact that Chiron would have spoken of since the beginning, and given his actions during the execution, it's no surprise there would be questions]
So you already knew someone here, too. (Just like he knew Hilda, Izumo new Shima, Lup knew Taako, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian, Ange and Dorothy...) I like her.
(But "comrade" is interesting,)
You two fought together? Do you mean a few skirmishes? Some troublesome bandits or rascally pirates... or something bigger?
I've no issue answering your questions, though I would like to know where this curiosity came from.
[Is this just the natural curiosity that comes from watching Chiron contemplate putting an arrow through Kano's head? He could believe it. But old habits die hard for a Sage; even if he keeps his intrigue in check most of the time, it doesn't mean he isn't always wondering]
(There's a natural curiosity, of course-- he's always been curious and regarded the world with a certain type of wonder-- but as ever, there's more with Claude von Riegan,)
There's someone here I know, too. (He's probably noticed how he and Hilda wear similar uniforms sometimes,) She's my classmate, my comrade, and most importantly, my friend. I've been thinking about this for awhile... what would I do if her life was on the line? We've fought battles together so I know I would fight for her; I've even killed to protect her back home.
But this place isn't a battlefield, at least, not in the traditional sense.
(Metaphorically? Maybe but there's no clear enemy coming down with their sword or aiming their spell at her right in front of him.)
As someone who came here with a comrade as well, what would you do?
... It will be a more complicated decision for you, I fear.
[Starting off with that unfortunate statement, now that he's heard Claude's concerns]
Though I care for Ruler, our arrangement is more or less that of pragmatism. I would see her live and return to our world, but should that not come to pass, there are still options available to me. [A pause... he sighs a little] And if I were to die here, it would not matter. She would not avenge me.
[A frank, almost callous assessment of his worth in this regard. But he moves on as if it's nothing of value]
But to you, Miss Hilda is someone you cherish, correct? First you must acknowledge if the bond you two share is worth spilling blood over. And if so, then you must ask what you would do if more unfortunate circumstances were to come to pass.
If she kills, and is found out -- what will you do? Defend her? If she is an innocent but is pulled to execute, would you allow her murderer to walk free, even if perhaps they were also innocent?
[There's nothing cruel in the questions, but Chiron does not deliver them gently, either. This is the ugly truth of their reality in this Realm. He does Claude a disservice, he thinks, if he tries to shield him from it.]
... Had Kano killed Ruler, I would have incapacitated him immediately, asked my questions, and perhaps... I would have executed him in the end. Not just as punishment for attacking my comrade, but because I doubt he would have been allowed to live long by the group. I knew this, and that is why I drew my arrow.
[Finally a pause, and Chiron releases a sigh, brows pulled into a subtle, concerned frown]
Truthfully, I do not know if I can offer you the guidance you seek. Our reasons for protecting those we care for... they will alway be personal, and sometimes, beyond the realm of practicality. I could guide you down every possible outcome and still deep down, you would follow your own code to save her.
(No, there's nothing cruel to it and Claude understands this. As idealistic as he can be, he's realistic. These are the real questions he has to think about and in the end, he knows there won't be one, clear answer to make everyone happy, including himself. There will always be some dissatisfaction. He knows this. And he knew this even before he asked Chiron.
He's quiet, vocally unresponsive of Chiron's questions but listening to each word carefully. Claude is a talkative person. Some might even say he loves the sound of his own voice (he does) but he knows when to be quiet and to just listen.)
Don't beat yourself up over it, Teach. (Lightly but not without some weight,) I've been thinking about all of those things for awhile already.
(Before he even came to the Realm, even.)
But sometimes it's just good to hear it from someone else, you know? I guess I just didn't want to be alone with those thoughts for too long.
(And he gets up, dusting off his uniform and recollects himself himself.
There are people back home that yell at him for not taking his duties seriously. (He's always taken it seriously) And there are people would call him weak and cowardly (He isn't) Or a dangerous beast (And maybe he could be if he'd turned out a different way)
But isn't he the perfect image of a resolute leader right now? Thoughtful eyes, a charming smile, head held proud and high, chest swelling with hope and courage.)
Thanks, Teach. You know, if you've ever got anything on your mind, you can tell me too. It's the least I can do after all the time I'm bothering you.
(And yet, he isn't the slightest bit sorry about being a nuisance.)
There's one more thing, too. Check it out.
(He holds out his bow, his grip certain and sets an imaginary arrow, drawing his arm back skillfully,)
I got it back. (His skill.) There're some people I need to talk to about that... But I wanted to let you know. You can count on me at practice again.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
(Ah, he's quiet, letting the words sit in the air, feeling that weight and considering what it means. Looking down at his bow, he traces the silver of the frame with his finger, thinking,)
Perhaps you're right but that doesn't mean we're the same.
(And he looks up, eyes determined once more, as if that quiet spell had never even happened,)
Can I ask you a bit of a personal question, Teach? (And he's just going to cut to it,) Are you and Ruler close?
Now that I think about it, both of you have been going by strange names.
(So he wouldn't be surprised. Really, he actually feels kind of silly for not noticing it before. It can't be helped when there are so many unfamiliar names here but wow, it feels obvious now.)
no subject
She is a comrade of mine, yes.
[there's nothing to hide in that regard; this is a fact that Chiron would have spoken of since the beginning, and given his actions during the execution, it's no surprise there would be questions]
no subject
(But "comrade" is interesting,)
You two fought together? Do you mean a few skirmishes? Some troublesome bandits or rascally pirates... or something bigger?
(Like war.)
no subject
[Is this just the natural curiosity that comes from watching Chiron contemplate putting an arrow through Kano's head? He could believe it. But old habits die hard for a Sage; even if he keeps his intrigue in check most of the time, it doesn't mean he isn't always wondering]
no subject
(There's a natural curiosity, of course-- he's always been curious and regarded the world with a certain type of wonder-- but as ever, there's more with Claude von Riegan,)
There's someone here I know, too. (He's probably noticed how he and Hilda wear similar uniforms sometimes,) She's my classmate, my comrade, and most importantly, my friend. I've been thinking about this for awhile... what would I do if her life was on the line? We've fought battles together so I know I would fight for her; I've even killed to protect her back home.
But this place isn't a battlefield, at least, not in the traditional sense.
(Metaphorically? Maybe but there's no clear enemy coming down with their sword or aiming their spell at her right in front of him.)
As someone who came here with a comrade as well, what would you do?
(A TRUE MORAL DILEMMA)
... I guess I just want some guidance.
no subject
[Starting off with that unfortunate statement, now that he's heard Claude's concerns]
Though I care for Ruler, our arrangement is more or less that of pragmatism. I would see her live and return to our world, but should that not come to pass, there are still options available to me. [A pause... he sighs a little] And if I were to die here, it would not matter. She would not avenge me.
[A frank, almost callous assessment of his worth in this regard. But he moves on as if it's nothing of value]
But to you, Miss Hilda is someone you cherish, correct? First you must acknowledge if the bond you two share is worth spilling blood over. And if so, then you must ask what you would do if more unfortunate circumstances were to come to pass.
If she kills, and is found out -- what will you do? Defend her? If she is an innocent but is pulled to execute, would you allow her murderer to walk free, even if perhaps they were also innocent?
[There's nothing cruel in the questions, but Chiron does not deliver them gently, either. This is the ugly truth of their reality in this Realm. He does Claude a disservice, he thinks, if he tries to shield him from it.]
... Had Kano killed Ruler, I would have incapacitated him immediately, asked my questions, and perhaps... I would have executed him in the end. Not just as punishment for attacking my comrade, but because I doubt he would have been allowed to live long by the group. I knew this, and that is why I drew my arrow.
[Finally a pause, and Chiron releases a sigh, brows pulled into a subtle, concerned frown]
Truthfully, I do not know if I can offer you the guidance you seek. Our reasons for protecting those we care for... they will alway be personal, and sometimes, beyond the realm of practicality. I could guide you down every possible outcome and still deep down, you would follow your own code to save her.
no subject
He's quiet, vocally unresponsive of Chiron's questions but listening to each word carefully. Claude is a talkative person. Some might even say he loves the sound of his own voice (he does) but he knows when to be quiet and to just listen.)
Don't beat yourself up over it, Teach. (Lightly but not without some weight,) I've been thinking about all of those things for awhile already.
(Before he even came to the Realm, even.)
But sometimes it's just good to hear it from someone else, you know? I guess I just didn't want to be alone with those thoughts for too long.
(And he gets up, dusting off his uniform and recollects himself himself.
There are people back home that yell at him for not taking his duties seriously.
(He's always taken it seriously)
And there are people would call him weak and cowardly
(He isn't)
Or a dangerous beast
(And maybe he could be if he'd turned out a different way)
But isn't he the perfect image of a resolute leader right now? Thoughtful eyes, a charming smile, head held proud and high, chest swelling with hope and courage.)
Thanks, Teach. You know, if you've ever got anything on your mind, you can tell me too. It's the least I can do after all the time I'm bothering you.
(And yet, he isn't the slightest bit sorry about being a nuisance.)
There's one more thing, too. Check it out.
(He holds out his bow, his grip certain and sets an imaginary arrow, drawing his arm back skillfully,)
I got it back. (His skill.) There're some people I need to talk to about that... But I wanted to let you know. You can count on me at practice again.