Chiron & Fiore; catch-all

[cheir]

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[cheir]

[ Not for the first time does Fiore think that Heroic Spirits must be terribly lonely. There may be those who are fortunate enough to once again cross paths with those they'd known and loved in life, and she's glad he at least got to see his student again, but...

More often than not, their families are beyond their reach, and seeing the sorrow in Chiron's face is a firm, heartbreaking reminder of it.

She doesn't say anything quite yet, lowering herself and her aching legs into a kneel on the ground, though she's careful to avoid where the wine was poured. And, silently, she bows her head to the site in clear respect.

Not just for the life that she'd apologized to, over and over again, but to Chiron's family, people she had only seen in her dreams. ]

[horsepowered]

[Chiron doesn't even dare look in Fiore's direction. This is her own ritual, and so that demands the deepest respect. He cannot, should not, and never will interrupt a devotion so deeply personal.

There's clouds that pass overhead, sped along by a sudden uptick in the wind. That catches Chiron's attention, and he smiles very thinly as the leaves of the trees waver in the wind. That's an omen. That's an acceptance of an offering.]

[cheir]

[ As the wind ruffles her bangs, Fiore finally lifts her head. There's a soft sort of darkness in her eyes, but as she glances up, she smiles at her former Servant. ]

Thank you.

[horsepowered]

Of course.

[Chiron offers out his hand to Fiore. It isn't for physical support this time, but emotional. These moments are always tender things, often hard to bear regardless of being alone or having another person there.]

Do you wish to linger?

[cheir]

[ Fiore takes it, after a few seconds. Her fingers are trembling faintly, but she takes a slower breath to ease that much. ]

... I'm not sure. It's so peaceful here, but at the same time, there's nothing more I can say.

[horsepowered]

Mmm. The dead have a tendency to inspire such feelings and contradictions.

[Chiron's voice is barely a whisper. His eyes are focused on where the wine has gone into the ground, and he brushes a single finger over the space with a sigh.]

They're always complicated.

[cheir]

Indeed they are.

[ He's, once again, worded it perfectly. ]

I imagine it's the least we can do for them, at least.

[horsepowered]

Mm. It was considered a terrible thing to not give your dead their rites. But you probably know those stories already, don't you? [Chiron knows that even if mages didn't study in preparation for summoning a Heroic Spirit, the stories of the Greeks have penetrated deep into the culture.]

Do mages have their own theories on any sort of afterlife?

[cheir]

[ He's right; Fiore had known, and she'd made a point to read up more on Greek lore and culture after Chiron had been summoned. She'd wanted to understand the world he'd come from, not just his own story. ]

It's not mentioned much. To a magus, death is really only accepted if they know their family will continue on, to achieve the greatness and glory that they themselves couldn't. But there's nothing like Elysium for us.

[horsepowered]

That's...[Really depressing. Chiron doesn't say that though, but finding the right words is more of a challenge than it ought to be.]

That flies in the face of most cultures, as I understand it.

[But that makes sense, in it's way. Magi are disconnected from the world around them in ever so many ways. What differences does one more make, in the end? It doesn't. Not really.]

It also doesn't feel right.

[cheir]

No... it doesn't.

I always thought so as well, that as much as I loved magecraft, that way of thinking was too pragmatic. I suppose that's why both you and my brother both realized that I was ill-suited for that life.

[horsepowered]

I would not dare say this in the walls of your home, and to even say so on your grounds feels as if it is a violation of hospitality, but in truth, I think that pragmatism is justification for far too many things. Or at least, that seems to be what I have observed.

[He can't say anything ruder or blunter, but there is to be a pragmatic person, and there is the loss of humanity entirely. The latter seems to be a risk that magi run, and one that doesn't give them as much pause as they should.]

Your brother and yourself have ethics behind you. I do not know how true that is elsewhere.

[cheir]

[ Fiore's smile is a sad, slightly pained and knowing one. ]

You really must have cherished your wish for the Grail to have willingly answered the call of a clan of certain ruthless individuals.

[ But the Yggdmillennia were hardly any different than any magus family. Caules had likely turned out the way he had because he was a bit more forward-thinking, sensible, and because his sister had too much softness in her heart.

But Darnic? Celenike? Assassin of Black's first Master? ]

... It's a very common attitude among magi, Chiron. The Clock Tower taught it rather faithfully.

[horsepowered]

I suppose that is true. Or else I knew that no matter who called me forth, such attitudes were likely to be present. Fortune favored us both.

[Anyone else within the faction's camp, besides Caules, would have lead to a very different time indeed. Chiron knows full well exactly how lucky he is.]

Mmm. Your Clock Tower would stand to benefit from adding other courses to it's curriculum.

[cheir]

[ He could have (eventually) had Sieg, maybe!! ]

I won't deny that. [ Rather, she can't. ]

It's just a shame to see it like that...

[horsepowered]

It's a very different way to look at the world, the perspective magi have. [He doesn't try to lighten the mood, especially because it seems like death is actually better than talking about magi at the moment.]

And it developed out of good reason, that much I do know. The question shall always remain where does one go from the point they're at. Yours is so very wide open now.

[cheir]

It feels a little too open...

I imagine at some point I'll need to relocate, too. No one will be willing to understand my stance just yet.

[horsepowered]

[Well that gets a frown out of Chiron, and he tilts his head.]

You're sure that will be demanded of you? Why?

[cheir]

The head of a clan, someone talented and able, willingly passing over the Magic Crest to a less superior member? [ Fiore recites this rather flatly. ]

It's the utmost act of betrayal-- not just to the Forvedge family, but to the Yggdmillenia clans around the world. The majority are based in Europe, so while I'm here, I'm sure they'll be seeking my death soon enough.

[ Caules, at least, would be safe, and she's grateful for that. ]

[horsepowered]

Are you sure that you'll be the only target, if they are so ruthless?

[It's a question of real concern. Magi don't seem the type to go after only one target, not in a situation like this. Chiron's lips thin, quirking into a small frown at realizing that this was all done on his suggestion and with his medical skills.]

Or will they even care?

[cheir]

There was a reason I didn't involve Uncle Gordes in the ritual; he won't be harmed. They can't target Caules, because he's the only bearer of the Magic Crest now, and the only remaining hope for the Forvedge family, to say nothing of the Yggdmillennia.

[ Fiore slumps a little, legs once again too weak to properly support her in her kneel, but her chin stays up. ]

So yes, I'm certain.

[horsepowered]

[Chiron inches over. He's certain that it isn't an elegant movement, there's too darn much of him for that. What he is sure of is that Fiore's legs need a break now, and so he settles perpendicular to her.]

Untuck your legs from yourself and lean back. I'll help if you need a set of hands for assistance.

[But then it is back to the more serious matters.]

Then where do you intend to move?

[cheir]

[ Fiore smiles ruefully, resting her palms on the ground to brace herself and ease her legs out from under her. Chiron is a welcome, solid weight when she leans back. ]

I was actually thinking about the United States. We don't have any clan members there, and due to the lack of leylines there, it's not an ideal place for them to go. No strong magus would consider it anytime soon.

[horsepowered]

[Chiron: Servant, teacher, actual sofa.]

Mm. That'd allow you to build up your own spaces of power then, wouldn't it? And my understanding is that there are plenty of places in America for one to learn as well, thus enabling you to pursue whatever you decide to chase after.

[cheir]

[ He is the best sofa and she loves him. ]

It's true, on both accounts. [ Fiore musters a smile, tipping her head back slightly. ]

I'd be parting from my brother, but he already told me I'd get over my loneliness in no time. He's as abrupt as ever...