antipillar | Search 3

Does that apply to someone who agreed to stay here but hadn't arrived yet?

[It was a complicated situation and he knew that. But he had no desire to complicate it further.]

Would you rather it didn't?

[ Clef blinked in surprise, considering it. If it didn't apply, that would put the matter between Eagle and Lantis only - in theory. In practice... ]

I don't think it matters that much. Either way it means he knowingly took advantage of a possible loophole in the agreement. What's the point of even having one if he's going to sink to that level? It was supposed to be a verbal understanding between two civilized parties, not an airtight law meant to keep some wayward child in check. [ handwaves, apparently having a bit of a rant, here. So, Clef, tell us how you really feel. ]

The technicalities don't really matter; if he can't be trusted, he can't be trusted.

[ That was all true, but it was really just a front. The agreement didn't matter to him so much, and it wasn't even really his idea - it was really for those people who wanted to trust Eagle, namely the Knights. Everyone else had put so much emotional stock in it and had taken his word with no questions asked, and for him to do this was to spit in their faces. Of course Clef was angry, and of course he was angry separately and just on principle because Eagle attacked Lantis. The only thing that was going to piss him off more was the implication that he had nothing to be angry about. That's tsundere for you. ]

It explains why he said he needed to see me before I agreed to stay here.

[Which he did. Lantis knew that Eagle had added that detail in there when he said that he'd already given in.]

He will not give up in wanting to scan my sword.

No, he won't. Not that it will do him any good.

[ Looks at the sword in question, thoughtfully. He doesn't need to ask to know that Lantis means to keep that from happening even at great cost to himself. Whatever his reasons for that were, it was certainly his right.

Clef stared at the sword for what almost seemed like too long before saying anything more. ]

I wonder what would happen if we did nothing?

[ Looks up at Lantis to gauge his reaction. Without being officially called out on his little bending of the rules, Eagle might think that the agreement is still on. Therefore, he might not try that kind of direct attack again and he may not expect any of his more insidious strategies to be defended against. After all, the letter of the agreement was that if he didn't attack them they wouldn't stop him from pursuing his goals, and he'd probably try to use that to his advantage as much as possible. He might consider anything fair play so long as it didn't technically constitute "aggression." ]

I will ask Pharle Presea if she has a sword she can lend you in the meantime, if you'd like. Please let me know directly if he tries anything again.

I would ask that this matter be dropped. It is between Eagle and myself, Guru Clef.

[He paused a moment. This wasn't a matter of not trusting those here. Or not trusting Eagle. This was...making sure things didn't get more complicated than they were already.]

My wish is that the others not learn of this.

[If it were kept between them then that would be best. No one needed to get involved in this.]

And, I will not take another sword.

[ Clef certainly couldn't say that he was at all surprised by Lantis's response. He considered it for a few moments. Far be it from him not to respect the Cail's wishes, but... Well. Not telling the Knights when Lantis was injured was one thing. Not telling, say, Presea that Eagle couldn't really be trusted bordered on neglect. It would be more than a little presumptuous of Lantis to ask, even if he weren't dating her.

On the other hand, Lantis probably thought he was doing everyone a favor by keeping them uninvolved. Even if he was only doing it to keep things simple on his end, it was certainly a person's right to keep one's disputes private. And Presea wasn't very good at pretending not to know things, so he couldn't tell her and not have it affect anything--

... Oh, what as he even thinking? This was ridiculous; he shook his head. ]

I respect your decision, Cail Lantis, as should anyone of sound mind and high opinion of you.

However. [ Glares up at him. ] I will not keep your secret beyond what discretion demands and, should a similar situation arise in the future, you had better not let me catch you sneaking around like some coward. If you do not want the others involved, I expect you to have the nerve to tell them to their faces.

[ Pauses, considering whether he had overstepped his bounds. He did not want to make the mistake of treating Lantis like a child, and he certainly felt that he was talking to him that way at the moment. On the other hand, he very firmly believed that this was not something he should have to say to an adult.

More quietly he added, ] I hope I have made my position sufficiently clear.

Edited 2010-09-25 18:33 (UTC)

[The coward part didn't even sting. He'd heard it too many times back on Cephiro. People accusing him of being a traitor. A coward who fled. But they could think what they wished. Clef could scold him too.

At least...at least that girl wouldn't become involved in this.]

I understand, Guru Clef.

[ Clef most certainly didn't think that of him, but seeing him try to sneak around like that... it wasn't right. He shouldn't have to. But obviously he'd felt it necessary, Clef decided as he studied Lantis's lack of reaction. And he probably still thought it was necessary, and would do it again. Even if he knew it was wrong, and he probably did.

Clef sighed, letting his shoulders droop a little, uncharacteristically. ]

... I know.

[ He realized he had tired of this discussion and, in any event, didn't think there was any more worth saying. So, he turned and went to the doorway, looking over his shoulder at the last moment. ]

Let's go. I'll show you to your room.

Thank you, Guru Clef.

[Lantis bowed his head to him politely as he followed after Clef. He would need to know anyways. Even if he really didn't plan on using it often.]

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