pullmeoutalive | Chiron & Fiore; catch-all

Chiron--! [ with gentle, mock-indignation. ]

Would you truly expect me to keep secrets from my own brother??

[Chiron absolutely shouldn't laugh, but he does. Soft, delighted, far too entertained.]

Truly, you tell each other everything?

If we don't, we end up knowing anyway.

[ Siblings... ]

Hmmmm. Well, I could always approach and ask him.

[CHIRON NO.]

That means the burden is off of you and we still learn things.

... You do know that my brother isn't half as cooperative as I am, correct?

I do know that, but teacherly authority can be quite compelling.

... I'm starting to wonder if you were going easy on me all along.

I was only as hard on you as it was demanded. That I wasn't as harsh as I might be, then that speaks incredibly well of you.

You're certain you weren't thinking favorably of me?

I assure you, that was not the case. [Chiron pauses, then decides there's only one way to illustrate this:]

Achilles was a good student, but his attitude often demanded I be harder on him than I might otherwise be in order to ensure that his pride didn't get in the way of his skill. That...was decidedly mixed in terms of results.

Ah...

He did go on to do a great many deeds, so he might have felt that pride was warranted.

It was not. [He's just saying. And that was a little harsh.] I was harsh with him because I knew that exact thing might happen.

[ ... Okay, yeah. Chiron doesn't actually go easy on his students, and Fiore sighs a little as she sits up straighter. ]

Well, it does make me want to do my best not to disappoint you.

[He sure don't.]

Think of it like this: as a mage, certain things that I would have instructed in like self discipline were skills you already had. Thus you are both well ahead of the curve and I don't need to spend as much time laying that groundwork.

[Unlike tiny heroes, who often arrived as small children.]

You haven't done so yet.

[ Honestly, tiny Fiore could have done with a better teacher, but she definitely can't change the past. ]

Then I'm glad. You did still end up teaching me a great many things, even if it wasn't quite like your time with your other students.

Everyone comes to me in a different place. That's all it ever is.

[Chiron would have been too delighted with Tiny Fiore, let's not kid ourselves.]

[ And Tiny Fiore would have wanted to brush him with her own brush and-- yeah. Some things are probably for the best. ]

Spoken like a teacher. [ With a bit of a laugh in her voice. ] When would you consider me as a graduate, Chiron?

[No. No this would have been amazing.]

When we first parted ways, I believe that would qualify as graduation. Being here now, you're a peer, not a student.

Then, as your peer...

[ Fiore laughs, the note a little tremulous. It still might take some time to sink in, and she doesn't know how much time they have, in the scheme of things, but-- ]

All of this has made me realize just how much I missed you. That's probably not acceptable for a former Master, but we did already figure out I was ill-suited for it.

[How much time there is or isn't makes the point all the more important to get to, in Chiron's estimation.

At Fiore's words, he pauses so that he can reach a hand around back, offering it to Fiore freely. It's...a very awkward angle, oh yes, but who cares about comfort?]

Would you be willing to use the word friend instead?

[ She does?? She cares about his comfort???

Which is why she hesitates, wondering how much of a strain on his back this might be-- before she clasps his hand and gives it a firm squeeze. ]

I'd be honored to use the word friend.

[LOOK BEING A HORSE PERSON IS SUPER WEIRD DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!

Chiron beams, really beams at that.]

Few words could make me happier.

[ IT'S FINE, SHE STILL LOVES HIM.

But seeing him so happy has her beaming quietly in response, gazing down at their clasped hands. ]

I don't think I've ever seen you smile like that.

[Oh NO THIS IS TOO CUTE.]

It isn't as if the Holy Grail War gave ample opportunity for such happiness.

[ IT'S CUTE OR BUST. ]

That's... [ well, yes, and she has the grace to look sheepish. ]

No, you're right. There were very rough circumstances, and you did end up seeing several shameful sides of me. But... I do think the times I spent with you were some of my happiest ones.

[ Which is a little sad, but as a magus, she hadn't really had anyone who cared quite as much about her well-being as Chiron had, her brother aside. ]

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horsepowered - 2019-06-04 12:02 (UTC) - Expand

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cheir - 2019-06-04 13:39 (UTC) - Expand