orientation ♔ with so much deception it's hard not to wander away

[everyredcent]

♬ Reasons Why - Nickel Creek

WHO || Christos, Katniss, open if people want to bang into them, just threadjack wherever.
WHAT || Christos meets with his squire
WHERE || Knight's HQ, Breakfast room
WHEN || Wednesday morning
HOW || Actionspam

[Christos sent a brief text Tuesday night asking Katniss to meet him in the breakfast nook of the dining hall the next morning. She doesn't need to know that it's actually getting closer to his preferred bedtime than his waking up time. He'll just consider breakfast like a Taco Bell fourthmeal, ok.

He's sitting there with his nose buried in a newspaper when and if she shows up.]

Comments

[everyredcent]

Yes, well, that would be an unfortunate side effect of being the "heroes", as it were. [He finally lowers the paper, folding it in half, and sliding it over to her.]

[befree]

We shouldn't give ourselves that title so easily.

[She feels uncomfortable with it, as if it shouldn't belong to her, or to any of them. Even if they do heroic things, does that really mean they're always entitled to be the heroes and clean up after everyone?]

[everyredcent]

I happen to agree with your assessment, but that doesn't stop the other idealistic idiots around here from getting wrapped up in their chivalric ideal and forgetting that sometimes being what they call a "hero" means ending lives, not just saving them. [He seems to snort to himself, and then looks back up at her] You must discover your reason for doing what it is we do here, if you decide to stay. And not get swept up in the illusion of heroism.

[befree]

Then it sounds like too many people here are like Arthur, and just expect everyone to look in awe and bow at their feet because of a worthless title. It's only a word, it doesn't hold any real power.

[She doesn't really care about what they do here as long as she stays out of legal trouble, and at least she's come to trust Christos enough that she doesn't think he'll get her into anything she won't be able to get herself out of.

And she's secretly very glad he doesn't want to be called a hero, and doesn't ask her to be one either.]

Heroes are for children's stories. Real heroes can't exist in the real world. I don't think you'll need to worry about my being swept up in the illusion of heroism. And if I ever do, you have full permission to shoot me.

[everyredcent]

[He seems quite satisfied with her response and slides his chair back a bit] Noted.

[Her mention of Arthur causes contempt to work its way across his expression] As for His Highness he'll learn that his title means nothing in this world. A King is only as powerful as his kingdom, and his is long since vanished. I'm certain that being King of nothing in particular must be very fulfilling for him.

[befree]

It seems to be entirely fulfilling. [She bristles, looking entirely displeased with life. He unnerves her, okay. And he broke her personal boundaries and leaned in close, and at this point in time that is almost unforgivable.]

He tried to give me a lesson in intimidation when we first met.

[everyredcent]

And what, precisely, was his definition of "intimidation"?

[befree]

I'm sure it's probably the same as any boy with too much confidence. [She gives the tiniest hint of a smirk, glad that she can at least poke fun of Arthur with Christos. He understands.]

Staring me down and getting in my personal space doesn't do anything but agitate me. At least I know that for sure now.

[everyredcent]

And hopefully now he does, as well.

[befree]

He'll have plenty of time to learn if he didn't, assuming his ego doesn't get himself killed.

[She's an optimist!]

[everyredcent]

Perhaps. Though my concern at the moment is making sure you stay alive.

[A pause] Which is what this orientation business is about.