pullmeoutalive | Chiron & Fiore; catch-all

All of it seems plenty ambitious. Why don't we start in the north?

[As Chiron moves out into the open air, he's careful to actually figure out which way north is. More than that, his eyes sweep over the grounds, drinking in the landscape. It's one of the true pleasures of being summoned - seeing new parts of the world that are not Greece.

So north he goes, still at walking speed.]

Are you feeling comfortable enough for me to break into a run?

... If you won't find it troubling if I have to press myself against you...

[ She won't be able to grip with her legs, after all, and she'd hate to worry him with the thought of her possibly falling off. ]

Not in the slightest. I'll progress slowly, so that you can adjust in increments.

[Chiron turns back a little, and the grin on his face has a different texture. It's excited. There's a little bit of deviousness in it.]

[ ... Has she seen that kind of look from him before? If Fiore thinks back far enough, it's almost similar to the look he'd warn when he'd thought of facing Achilles-- not as his teacher, but as his opponent.

This, though, seems more mischievous, and Fiore laughs softly under her breath, leaning forward to wrap both arms around his waist again. ]

It's all right. You can run, Chiron.

[There's no more words from the centaur. At the word run, his pace picks up. A speedy trot at first, nothing too fast. Fiore needs to adjust to the movement, and he is careful to make sure that all of his hair does not smack her in the face.

It's after a few minutes of that that Chiron really breaks into a run. His hooves thunder over the ground, slamming down again and again, speeding ever forward. To run like this for no reason at all, there is such a lightness to it that Chiron has nearly forgotten the sheer joy of it all.

Conversing over this much noise is hard, but not impossible.]

How are you doing?

[ A very soft yelp may escape once he shifts from a trot to a gallop, her hands tightening their grip, but it's mere seconds before she registers that they're really, truly running. There's a strong breeze whipped up from the centaur's speed that has her hair flying behind her, her eyes growing wide at the sensation of such swift movement. It's almost like they're flying. ]

... Incredible...

[ The word emerges, almost breathlessly. Before Fiore can properly curb her excitement, a delighted laugh escapes her. ]

This feels wonderful, Chiron!

[That laugh means everything.]

It'll be the best thing to using your own legs for a while longer!

[But that was the point. To run and remind her that soon, sooner than she may hope, the world will be under her feet in full and there will be no wobbling about.

Chiron keeps running, urged on by the glory of Fiore's reaction.]

How much further to the trees?

[ It's a good motivation. Just feeling this way has Fiore that much more determined to stand firmly on her own two feet and run-- never this fast, of course, but that sense of liberation is intoxicating.

For now, she savors the rush. ]

Not much-- at this speed, you're only about three minutes off.

Very good!

[It's tempting to speed up, but Chiron fights that urge with total ease. This pace is perfect, and even with Fiore on his back, she feels so much lighter for just having this wild, mad, perfect run.]

Your home's grounds are beautiful.

Thank you. It's been awhile since I've been back, but even then... I don't think I ever had the opportunity to appreciate it like this.

[ Definitely not ever like this. ]

[Chiron can only laugh at that. It's a deep, warm, rich tone, all lightness as they continue onwards.]

Then I'll make sure we cover the entire area!

[But for now, trees. Chiron's run slows down as they approach the same trees Fiore mentioned earlier, and that becomes a trot, until they're at the trees themselves and the centaur is doing little more than walking.

He pants, just a little, resting one palm on the nearest tree trunk.]

There.

[He turns them both around, overlooking the ground that they have just covered.]

Chiron... are you all right?

[ He'd taken most of that distance at a run, and she's leaning closer to him, slightly concerned. She can't exactly reassuringly rub his neck like she would an actual horse... ]

I wasn't too heavy, was I? You ran all this way...

Quite fine.

[He can feel the concern just by how Fiore leans on his back. One hand reaches around, seeking hers to help reassure.]

I perhaps challenged myself a little too much with how fast I dared to go.

... [ Fiore sighs after a minute, squeezing his hand with a tiny burst of relief. ]

You really must have wanted to run all this time, hm?

It's hardly the same for me on two legs.

[He squeezes back, careful not to apply too much pressure there.]

Besides, there was a war to attend to. I'm not Astolfo, I could never indulge in whim when faced with something far more serious.

I wouldn't have wanted you to be like Astolfo. It was because of your seriousness and your strategies that we were able to get as far as we did... and obviously if you hadn't taken an interest in my future and spoke to my brother, I'd still be in a wheelchair.

[ She doesn't slip her hand free; he can release it when he wishes, but she's quietly enjoying this. ]

But I like seeing you like this. You seem much happier.

Do I?

[He must be then.]

With fewer weighty responsibilities, it must come easier to me then. Made even better for your presence.

[ Fiore clears her throat after a minute, hoping her cheeks aren't actually looking as warm as they feel. ]

Actually, I had a question for you... it might be a little heavy, though.

Heavy?

[Chiron nods, angling so that he is looking at Fiore. He's breathing normally now, calm as ever.]

Go right ahead.

Your family... I know you exist in the Throne of Heroes, but does that mean you can't be allowed to see them again?

... And if that's so... is that really all right with you?

[ To see him again had been the wish Fiore herself had fought for... but now she's wondering if that wasn't too selfish. If she ought to be trying harder to reunite him with his wife and daughters. ]

[Fiore is right. It is a very heavy question, and it is one that renders Chiron silent as he tries to find the right answer. There's a lot to unpack, and he has to figure out where to even start.

There's a soft noise, closer to equine than human.]

I am...unsure about being able to see them again. Gods willing, they are within the realms of Elysium, or at the least, within the Asphodel Meadows. Hades guards the dead with great care, and I am no Orpheus. They deserve all the rest in death.

[There is another part here:] I do not know if any of them were so fortunate as to be a part of the Throne of Heroes as I am. Our lives, in private, were ordinary. I would not expect to find them there.

[But if it is all right with him, that's a very different question.]

If I am only here for a few days, then I imagine that I am okay with it. I may well find a place for offerings, even if their burial places are thousands of miles away.

[ Fiore frowns apologetically, giving his hand a squeeze. It really wasn't her business to ask, but she appreciates that Chiron commits himself to answering anyway. ]

I'm incredibly sorry for bringing up a painful topic. The path of a Heroic Spirit really might end up being a lonely one...

[ A place for offerings, though... ]

... This actually isn't far from where I said goodbye to someone important. If you'd like...

[ At this point, Fiore thinks, it's probably the least she can do. ]

Perhaps later today? I'd like to be as traditional as I can, if there is milk, honey, water, or wine that can be spared.

[The wine is a stretch, given Fiore's young age and the sensibilities of the day. He doubts the rest will pose the same problem.]

But I would be content to walk by the place, so we can get to it easier later on.

Of course-- I can get you all of that.

[ She says that confidently enough-- Fiore's near adulthood, and there's a wine cellar that holds enough bottles that he should have a decent selection. ]

As well as the location, of course.

Thank you.

[He means it. He squeezes Fiore's hand gently, happy for this much at least.]

It means more than I can put into words.

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gonna get to bed now it's been a long day!

sleep well! I hope tomorrow is more restful

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