Chiron & Fiore; catch-all

[cheir]

Comments

[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.

[cheir]

He's become more confident, I think, since meeting you. Although he does still grumble about your teaching methods, so I'm not quite sure what you said to him back then.

[horsepowered]

Really? Whose teaching methods is he comparing them to, if I may be so bold to ask?

[Which is really to ask: how is this horse worse than Lord El-Melloi II?]

[cheir]

No one he's mentioned by name, but I have a vague idea.

[ They're both tough love teachers, though. ]

[horsepowered]

You can't tell me that you have a vague idea and then not elaborate, Fiore.

[cheir]

[ She laughs at that, patting his side. ]

I'm weighing the pros and cons of telling you and having Caules frown at me later, or not.

[horsepowered]

How will Caules know you told me if neither one of us informs him of that fact?