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

[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]

[alcobrawlic]

......

[ A low whistle. ]

Look at you, you rebel!

[moraled]

[... Why you gotta be like that.]

... Preventing injustice is my duty. With that in mind, I am simply doing exactly as I have been tasked.

[alcobrawlic]

Oh, that's fine, I'm not judging. That's actually pretty cool of you.

[ Surprisingly. ]

[moraled]

[...Uh.]

"Cool"...?

[alcobrawlic]

[ ... oh boy. ]

Im... pressive? Surprisingly great? Worthy of... magnanimous... admiration?

[ Look, she knows big words too. ]

[moraled]

... I cannot help but feel as though you are making fun of me, Lady Instructor Valestein.

[MAGNANIMOUS...ADMIRATION??]

[alcobrawlic]

[ WHY DID IT GET EVEN LONGER ]

Look, if I was, you'd know for sure.

[ Not a lie. ]

But you get my point, right? Okay, so I figured you were this pretty uptight guy who was married to justice and formality and you kind of are, but you're not so much of an asshole stick that you refuse to admit when something's wrong about the way you might've done things before. And you want to change that, even if it gets you in trouble.

Trust me, that's a trait I wish more people had.