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]

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.

[moraled]

[He does get her point--though he's not sure he's done enough to really deserve that sort of praise. He frowns a little, glancing away.]

... It certainly was a matter that took me far too long to see for myself.

Regardless, I can only make amends for my behavior in the past, by looking to the future and seeing what must be changed to properly protect all of the citizenry of Labyrinthia.

[alcobrawlic]

That's right. Dwelling on the past isn't going to change a single thing.

In the end, all any of us can do is keep moving forward.

[ She believes in that more strongly than ever. ]

[moraled]

It would appear we are on the same page with this.

[Which is good... he wouldn't want to have to explain himself further.]

... Likewise, I do not intend to leave this place with regrets. I shall do what I see as my duty, and what is just, regardless of the consequences.