Week 1, Sunday Evening; Barnham

[alcobrawlic]

[ There's been a lot to mull over, with the Sheriff's arrival and those two girls now in jail, a lot of information to take in. Which, for a bracer and an instructor, isn't impossible for Sara, but there was a difference between learning a curriculum or the details of a mission or job request and...

This.

A game where they were being encouraged to kill each other. It's a sick game, definitely, but she's a little more concerned about how the younger ones are handling it-- and just how many of their number have killed before.

For now, she just sighs into her beer mug-- her third, but there's really no point in stopping now. Her mind is still, unfortunately, clear enough.

The saloon's fairly quiet for now, and that's all she needs. ]

Comments

[moraled]

[Um.

No.]

...That would not only be inappropriate, but far too intimate for our current acquaintanceship.

[alcobrawlic]

... Oh, Aidios.

You're the type who doesn't hold hands before marriage, aren't you?

[moraled]

[......]

I do not believe my stance on public displays of affection before marriage are any of your concern.

As a knight, it is necessary that I am properly formal to those around me.

[alcobrawlic]

Even if those around you don't actually give a damn if you are?

[ Except she says it with the quirked eyebrow of someone who knows she just asked a completely rhetorical question.

Also, he didn't say no!! ]

[moraled]

It is a matter of knightly pride and honor.

[Sara.....]

I shall not renege on that, regardless of the circumstances.

[alcobrawlic]

That's about what I expected... [ With a long, drawn-out sigh. ]

I know someone back home who'd absolutely love you.

[ Platonically. ]

[moraled]

[For a moment, he looks hesitant.

Seriously, the last thing he needs is more people "loving" him.

Too much of that is happening already.]

I...see.

[A sigh, and he shakes his head.]

Regardless. While I am here, we may as well have a discussion of something less grim than our current circumstances. Tell me more of this military academy of yours.

[alcobrawlic]

[ ... Well, let's not mention the fact that it was taken over by the Noble Faction and that a lot of the students had been in danger, because that's not any less grim.

So Sara starts off with something lighter, after a few minutes of thought. ]

Thors was founded by Emperor Dreichels, as a place to train the younger generation into becoming the foundation of the world. A lot of military leaders and officers, and of course the Emperor are alumni there, so obviously it's got its history. Classes are typically split between commoners and nobles, but--

[ A pause, and her eyes soften. ]

The one I was put in charge of, Class VII, was your basic motley crew of nobles and commoners-- the only class of its kind. They started off pretty awkwardly at first, but those kids have really come into their own.

[moraled]

It sounds to be an esteemed academy.

[With a long, formal history.

How is Sara an instructor there again...]

How long have you been instructing these children?

[alcobrawlic]

[ It's Olivert's fault. It's always Olivert's fault. ]

Mm... almost a year? A lot's happened.

[ UNDERSTATEMENT. ]

[moraled]

So it would sound.

[He knows like...nothing, but he does know that worldweary tone.]

... Were you an Instructor of another class before this one?

[alcobrawlic]

Yeah, I was in charge of... kind of like the prototype class? The test group to see if Class VII would maaaaaybe work out.

And, you know, I taught combat to the rest of the students, so it wasn't like I got much of a breather there either.

[moraled]

Hm.

It is strange to me to hear that you have been an instructor for only a year. It seems to be a career choice that has agreed with you immensely.

[alcobrawlic]

... You'd really be one of the very few who'd think that. My kids used to whine at me a lot!

[ She says... so brightly. ]

[moraled]

[SARA......]

Certainly I can see you being a harsh mistress, if nothing else.

Still, your pleasure for your work is clear.

[alcobrawlic]

It's never been boring, I'll give you that.

[ But she's going to get sentimental if she dwells on this, so she just clears her throat. ]

So, what about you? How long have you been... Inquisiting?

[moraled]

I have done nothing else. That has always been my role.

[INQUISITOR BARNHAM it's all he's ever wanted to be and all he's ever done.]

There was a time I was a lowly knight, but I have since been raised to this post.

[alcobrawlic]

[ ... sounds about right. He seems like someone who'd be married to his job. ]

What kind of crimes do you usually have to deal with?

[moraled]

[BURN THE WITCHES.

He won't deny it, he won't lie.]

...Witchcraft. The endangerment of citizens. It is my task to cross swords with those who would harm others for their own gain on the battlefield of the law.

[alcobrawlic]

Witch... craft.

[ Right, okay, never telling him about her student. ]

You know, that's one I don't think anyone has ever had to answer for.

[moraled]

[He's quiet for a long moment, contemplative. His gaze shifts from her to the alcohol behind the bar, quiet.

It's been a lot for him to comprehend, honestly. That... in the end, he was wrong. He was very wrong, and many of those witches... they hadn't deserved the deaths they'd received.]

... The law is not always correct. But even so...witchcraft used to harm those who have no defense against it must be prevented.

[It's tough... it's really tough.]

I am still finding that line for myself, I believe.

[alcobrawlic]

... Hmmm. [ it's a quiet, inquisitive hum. There's a story there, she can tell, after years of running with jaegers and picking up on cues, and then her time spent as a bracer. Everyone had a story and not everyone wanted to share it. ]

If you've figured out that much... that you can't judge an entire kind of person for being that way, then I think you're doing fine.

[moraled]

[He's not really doing fine. He's only scratched the surface of the sort of repentance he'll really owe.

But he's trying.

He supposes that counts for something.]

... The laws in my homeland and strict and without mercy, when it comes to witches. ...There is much work to be done, when I return, to change that.

[alcobrawlic]

... Are your higher-ups going to be okay with that?

[ He already acts so formally and she knows how traditional those types of people can be with those ranked higher than them. Sara can't help but wonder if he's the same. ]

[moraled]

Certainly not.

[He snorts vaguely, wryly amused.]

There is little that can be done to me that they have not already tried, however.

[THANKS FOR NOTHING, DARKLAW]