Chiron & Fiore; catch-all

[cheir]

Comments

[horsepowered]

You may not want that, but it's important to me all the same.

[Chiron offers Fiore his nearest arm. The angle for him is a little awkward, leaning back and twisting, but it'll be enough for her to steady herself. Climbing back onto horses, even under normal circumstances, is hardly ever an easy or elegant motion.]

[cheir]

... Chiron, that's just unfair.

[ But she grasps his arm, using the last bit of strength in her legs to get them out and underneath her long enough to pull herself onto his back.

Maybe one day she'll be better at this. ]

[horsepowered]

Is it? It's unfair to say that I wish you a long and happy life?

[Look, he's had worse attempts at climbing onto his back than this Fiore. You're fine. You're fine, and once Alucard is certain of that simple fact, he rises to his feet again.]

What a very strange definition of the word.

[cheir]

You knew precisely that if you worded it like that, I couldn't exactly protest.

[ So unfair, and she does huff under her breath as she balances on his back. ]

[horsepowered]

Caught in the act, I'm afraid.

[And smiling smugly in spite of it. Chiron gets back to his feet carefully, and after he does so, there's a soft laugh.]

Of all the people to worry about that would judge on appearances, you'd put me in that category?

[cheir]

No, it's not that.

[ Of course it isn't that, and she reaches down to pat his side. ]

It's my own pride speaking... simply that.

[horsepowered]

Well, you know that pride was always a heel for Greeks.

[But he doesn't need to list examples.]

How often to you come to this space?

[cheir]

[ He sure doesn't need to list examples, she's well aware. ]

About once a week, if I can manage.

[ She has her reasons, after all. ]

[horsepowered]

Then whoever it is you come here for must be very special indeed.

[Chiron makes a point of not asking after their identity. It isn't his business since Fiore has chosen not to share it.]

How do you normally get here?

[cheir]

Normally, Caules brings me. I'll try to walk part of the way, but he'll bring the wheelchair along.

[ It's a bumpy ride, but she can't use her magecraft anymore, so she puts up with it. ]

... By any chance, did he mention a dog to you?

[horsepowered]

The chair can't be comfortable with this little paved ground.

[There's a soft noise, which means Chiron's worried about that of all things. But then there's Fiore's question, and he shakes his head no.]

Never, no.

[cheir]

It's a small sacrifice.

[ But-- ]

... We owned a dog, once, when we were still very young. Father brought it back to be used in our education, but then had to leave on sudden business, so I had... so much time to spend with it.

[horsepowered]

Ah. A very good and loyal friend then.

[He understands. And there is a respect for remembering a friend who must be old and longer gone at this point.]

The both of you unto each other.

[cheir]

I wonder... if I was truly able to do that much.

... When my father returned, he used the dog to demonstrate what a failed spirit evocation looked like, and I could only watch as that child was turned inside out.

[horsepowered]

And had you tried to stop him, what would have happened? Nothing acceptable or pleasant for either of you, you know.

[Part of the visits are guilt, aren't they? But the description is gruesome, and Chiron does cringe. Just a little.]

Caring for another in death is still deeply important.

[cheir]

It's unbecoming of a magus... [ Fiore says this softly. ] It's what Caules used to remind me that I'm not suited for it.

[ That she couldn't forget the dog? No decent magus would have been like that. ]

[horsepowered]

[It's a harsh and cruel thing to use as a reminder, isn't it? But there's another thread there, one that is just as important.]

It sounds as if he didn't forget either.

[cheir]

He didn't.

... [ Fiore sighs after a moment, fondly. ]

As expected of my brother. He saw what no one else did.

[horsepowered]

[They're both far, far too kind for the kind of work a life of magecraft demands, aren't they?]

I think he still does. And no matter what comes of these decisions, I doubt that is going to change. [Chiron's pace is incredibly leisurely at the moment, bordering on slow. Mostly this is so Caules doesn't end up hearing a Deeply Sentimental conversation.]

You've always looked out for each other.

[cheir]

[ Thanks, Chiron. Looking out for them, as always. ]

That's... just how siblings are. We're fortunate that we weren't both born with the same capacity for magecraft, or we wouldn't have been able to be as close.

[ Everything was a competition in magecraft, after all. ]

[horsepowered]

Even without magecraft, not every set of siblings get a relationships like the both of you have.

[Chiron's words are soft and considering, but ever too warm.]

Nor does a rivalry ever demand the presence of magecraft.

[cheir]

No... you're right. And I'm grateful that we're close.

You already know that I owe him so much.

[horsepowered]

I do. And as I understand it, what is owed has never been something called in and never will be.

[cheir]

No... well, that's just how Caules is. I'm very fortunate to have him as a little brother, and I'm proud of him.

[ Minor understatement. ]

[horsepowered]

And he's proud of you as well. That's been apparent to me since you first called me forth into this world.