iris message

[unstinting]

[Alcuin's grateful for one of the powers he inherited from his mother, for once- at least he doesn't have to show the whole camp how hard he's been crying. He looks as pretty as ever, but his aura of calm and happiness has been replaced by one of intense purpose.]

I need to learn to fight better than I do. Sword, dagger, bow and arrow, hand to hand- I need to improve my skills. Would anyone be willing to tutor me? I'll owe you a big favour.

Comments

[shylyintrepid]

But you're not.

[He takes Alcuin's hand again, squeezing it]

A helpless person would have taken what happened to their guardian and given up. You want to fight and get back at them and do whatever it takes to make them pay.

[unstinting]

[Alcuin nods.]

He wanted me to swear I wouldn't seek vengeance. I couldn't do it.

[And now he feels guilty for it, for denying the last thing Anafiel wanted.]

[shylyintrepid]

Maybe he just wanted you to promise not to do something stupid. Like, Star Wars level of revenge stupid.

[unstinting]

I don't know what you mean, Jehan.

[He never saw Star Wars.]

I promised him I wouldn't be stupid, though.

[shylyintrepid]

...remind me to talk to Gabriel about a movie night.

[Seriously, when Jehan's seen a movie...]

And I think that's all he wanted. He wouldn't want you to die because of him.

[unstinting]

That would never have been up to him.

[Alcuin would have died for him a thousand times if he could.]

[shylyintrepid]

Why wouldn't it be? He died for you, I bet. Why waste it?

[unstinting]

I'm not going to waste it.

[He barely manages to rein in the fury in his voice. He isn't angry at Jehan, he's angry at the universe, at Gaea, at the Red Room- not at his friend.]

But it's my life and I would have gladly lost it for him.

[shylyintrepid]

I know, Alcuin. But don't go death-seeker on me, please?

[unstinting]

[He shakes his head, running his fingers through the sand.]

If you had one chance to be together with Zane, wouldn't you want to take it?

[shylyintrepid]

[Jehan falls silent before hugging his knees to his chest]

I...I don't know. It would depend on the situation, I think. I wouldn't join the Red Room or die to be with him, I know that much.

[unstinting]

I want to be with him. It's all I've ever wanted- I'd follow him anywhere.

[The passion in his voice is unmistakable. He's not exaggerating in the slightest.]

But I can't follow him into Hades. I know that, so- don't worry too much.

[shylyintrepid]

[He nods, relieved]

I just don't want to lose more people.

[unstinting]

I know. I know.

[He has to prove himself worthy and accomplish what he's set out to do, and he won't do it foolishly.]