continuations

[steelmyself]

Comments

[softariel]

[ He just stares back for a few moments, then begins pointing at individuals himself. ]

That is my servant, who has sworn her arm to my service. That is a good friend of mine. That one is a young man who works at my library, who has been rebuilding his life. That is someone who was so angry at -- seeing me in misfortune that he threatened violence upon the person who did it to me.

That one is a dear friend, and I will fight you if you disparage him.

[ So that'd be Kyrie, Sanajeh, Ruka, Eliot, and Felix respectively. He doesn't actually blink as he rattles them off, either; it really is like he has no fear. ]

[steelmyself]

[ following his gestures, taking note ]

Jeez, you have dangerous tastes. Don't worry. I won't say anything bad about any of them. You're the foolish one, after all.

[softariel]

And that is fine. You may say anything you wish about me, but if you try anything with them--

[ It's not a very effective threat; he's too small and physically frail. But he does glare; whatever he doesn't have in bodily strength, he's certainly rallied when it comes to people he cares about. ]

[steelmyself]

[ he's taken aback by that, for just an instant; he looks sincerely surprised and even a little flustered by Winter's determination ]

Ah--

[ then he scowls ]

How typical.

[softariel]

[ He frowns right back, going up onto his toes, for what tiny boost of height there is with that. ]

Oh, is it? And how?

[steelmyself]

That's exactly the sort of thing a broken person who can't be saved would say.

[softariel]

Broken?!

[ Ohhhh that seems to do it; his voice goes high and loud at that, and he goes from defensive to offended in an instant. ]

I beg your pardon, but who are you to go around calling me broken?!

[steelmyself]

If you care more about insults to others than to yourself, there's something rather suspect about you; wouldn't you say that's the case?

[softariel]

How dare you!

[ It's a hiss, and then it's a snarl, and he draws himself up even more. ]

How dare you make a presumption like that, as if you know anything at all to judge! How dare you pretend you are some lofty hero -- and how dare you belittle what these people have done for me.

[ He jabs out with a finger, a short sharp gesture. It's not like wielding a sword, but it's got weight behind it: the gesture of a king on his throne, perhaps, or a commander into battle. ]

How dare you call me broken, when I have had the love and care and attention of so many people -- how dare you call their work broken, when you know nothing! Sir, you might call yourself a hero, but you are nothing more than a petty dog, yelping in the streets after something you cannot even name! Instead of trying to understand, you simply scurry behind a curtain of indifference, as if that somehow makes you the stronger man!

Well, sir! I see what you are trying, and I reject that; I reject you and all your judgments to the contrary! Good day!

1/2

[steelmyself]

...

[ his visible eye widens as the lecture continues ]

[steelmyself]

[ and he starts to laugh ]

[softariel]

[ He narrows his eyes at that, still almost vibrating with his rage. ]

Oh, and what is it now? Will you try to play it off? Will you tell me that because I am just some foolish little thing, there's no way I can understand? I refuse. I have enough to be concerned about than your petty judgments.

[steelmyself]

You love them, huh? All these fools and murderers and whoever else who you've charmed.

[ his voice is soft and without judgment now--it's almost wistful ]

[softariel]

I love a great many people. And if you cannot understand that, then I've nothing more to say to you.

[steelmyself]

--you aren't a hero after all.

[ his smile is brief and tired ]

[softariel]

[ What does that even mean!! ]

Of course I'm not. I've never pretended to be.

[steelmyself]

Then that's my mistake. You certainly seemed as stubborn and pure as one.

[softariel]

You've a very peculiar idea of heroes. But it is not my responsibility if you misidentify someone based on a few short conversations.

[steelmyself]

Still, it's pretty careless of you to wander into a group of murderers and start scolding one. Even if some of them are your dear friends.

[softariel]

Is it? What is the worse they can do to me? I'm not so easily felled.

[steelmyself]

Oh?

[ suddenly he's just. Lunging forward to try to scoop Winter up ]

[softariel]

[ He jerks back at that at once, though he's neither fast nor good at dodging, and there's something on his face that is genuine mindless fear. ]

[steelmyself]

[ the actual fear on Winter's face stops Archer, and he pulls back, a surprised look of regret flashing onto his own face before he can stop himself ]

Tch...

How do you intend to defend yourself?

[softariel]

[ His own expression smooths out flat and blank at that, but he takes another step back to put more space between them. ]

Does it matter? Whether I do or I don't, there would be consequences for both of us.

[steelmyself]

I see. You trust others to defend you?

[ he doesn't pursue, and his expression drains of emotion as he speaks ]