[They're reacting to it much the same way, honestly-- Emet-Selch has been just as irritated about the situation. He shouldn't be so easily affected, so handily toyed with, so to have these compulsions feel more difficult to fight off feels almost like a response to doing his best to ignore it in the previous week. As if the Realm is mocking him, insisting on this in some form.
And, ultimately, they have much the same idea. Although he knows he may well find a centaur in the woods, he's not inclined to deal with any of the others, putting some distance there... and eventually, coming across the very person he's avoided.
The feeling eases, but it seems just being here isn't quite enough. Also annoying, not to mention tiring; then again, he's felt a bit tired already.]
Hiding out here, are you? I had half a mind to do the same.
[... His eyes slide over when spoken to, expression neutral because Chiron has no right to look displeased by the other's presence when he had maybe half an hour's worth more sulking to complete.
Still. He silently admits he had rather hoped Emet-Selch would choose the planetarium to hide in. Because now he feels a bit lighter at the sight of him and that's a new frustration to add to the mixture.]
-- Please walk carefully. There are bears this far into the forest, I'm afraid, though they should leave us alone.
[An amused smile at that, despite himself. It's not as if Chiron doesn't understand the sentiment. Live long enough and the fear of death isn't going to come from some brainless carnivore.
... But his warning wasn't for nothing, unfortunately, and Chiron's expression falls flat again when he hears shifting in the overgrowth. Bears at least have the good manners to announce themselves -- the large brown ones especially, who bellow and snarl in a show of intimidation. And while the centaur would have gracefully conceded ground if it had been a female protecting her cubs, it's just an irritable male that's angry that there's now a second person this close to his territory.
Chiron feels his mood drop another level. So he stands, one of his arms folded behind his back. His bow stays on the ground]
Wait to the side, if you would. [Spoken to Emet-Selch. They don't need to leave.]
[he's been feeling irritable himself, of course he has to be like this...
but he folds his arms and waits, nevertheless, with one brow arched. there's no fear there, in the presence of an approaching wild animal, both because he is unused to needing it and because chiron's intent seems clear enough. emet-selch has little doubt it will be removed.]
[Was that sass or was that being polite? Who knows. The bear is coming.
But even on its hind legs it's still a foot shorter than Chiron, and they are not an intellectual species besides. Really, the match-up is unfairly one-sided; the bear tries to lock arms with Chiron only to find out the centaur's are little busy winding around its neck in a chokehold. Its entire body is forced down, head first, Chiron's expression blank as he remains taunt through the struggling. Clearly he's trying to be polite about this and just remind the animal not to go sniffing up to strangers.
So the shift is rather subtle, the point between a centaur holding down an angry bear... and then an increasingly irate centaur who won't let the bear escape. Its swings and growls turn desperate until one of its arms bucks up against Chiron's foreleg, throwing off some of his gravity, and ... he apparently does not appreciate that.
He releases the bear's neck -- and then quick as a gunshot, kicks his forelegs directly at the bear's shoulder, knocking it into a tree and cracking the poor wood underneath. The battle was over already (it was hardly a battle to begin with), but that has the bear backing up as soon as it's upright, face dropped to the ground. Apparently, it realized its mistake.
Only once it slinks away does Chiron's arms fold behind his back again, uttering a deep, slow sigh]
[it's a subtle shift, yes, but one he can mark-- one where he takes more interest, really. he's gotten the impression chiron is not normally quick to fight, harder to observe in actual anger like this as opposed to something like a spar, so it isn't as though he would miss the chance to evaluate.
emet-selch remains out of the way, continuing to observe as he takes a seat beneath a tree, and after chiron's driven the poor bear off... there's a few slow claps behind him, because of course.]
Quite the performance. I do believe it won't make that mistake again.
[Predators hunt, prey is hunted, everything dies eventually. He won't blame the creature for acting in accordance with its fate.
... Though the energy seems to seep out of him after he speaks, as if having realized the flavor that his conduct took. Emet would be correct in his assessment if he could hear it -- that moving Chiron to anger is a difficult task. And knowing someone was present during it is ...
Well. He'll worry about it later.
Another slow breath as he finally moves, walking over to a nearby tree and folding his legs underneath him again. He leans heavily against it]
Seeing as I unintentionally won the territory, now there will be no one to bother us.
[and did you act within yours, he can't help but wonder... but he keeps that thought to himself, just filing it away for now. he does recall what chiron said about the other centaurs.]
I'm sure that will be a relief to the trees, else they might not survive more such altercations.
[their poor wood.]
But with that out of the way... I do suppose we have put this off long enough already.
[isn't it sad that we could last not even two days, he doesn't say; their combined pride is battered enough for the week, so no need to pour salt into the wound.
And after a thoughtful beat, Chiron decides it will not hurt if he's the one to take the fall first, and gesture over for Emet-Selch to sit near him if he'd like]
[with a long-suffering sigh, he does in fact sit nearby for once. he has less of the energy to be stubborn, which he assumes to be part of the point of all this.]
[His tail curls over his bottom legs as he trails off, distracted]
I had... considered telling everyone the truth about my death, given the new circumstances. If there's to be another target, I'd rather it be someone who will not cause harm in the long-run.
[...]
But I suspect the initial burden would be too great.
[he is STARING HARDER INTO THE SKY, looking much more annoyed.]
Yes, of course. Invite them to remove a source of insight from this place, one we may yet have need of given how little we still know-- no matter what happens when we depart this place, did you not still wish to resolve the problem?
[sacrifice is sometimes all too necessary, he knows. if it came to that-- emet-selch would not stop him. but for this? for the sake of thinking himself a more acceptable target?
[-- It would likely be in poor taste to start chuckling right now, wouldn't it]
Yes, that is partly the reason why I will not say anything for now.
[He'd been thinking more of the emotional cost when so many people already seem to depend on him, like robbing children of their parent when they are not yet fully grown, but--]
Besides, I am not the self-sacrificial type. I only do what needs to be done, not because I enjoy dying at every turn.
[the emotional cost doesn't always matter. sometimes, it has to be set aside.
besides that, he would likely think they just need to not depend on w single horse dad...]
You would not be long-lived, I suspect, if you were that sort. But do restrain yourself for now, and you ought to live well enough-- I doubt many should like to attempt killing you.
... On the merit of strength alone: Hansa, perhaps, if I was wounded first. And I will acknowledge that the other immortals likely have skills worthy of their many years.
[...]
I would normally count Ruler among them, but without her powers-- [A frown. It pains him to say as much, but no, he shakes his head. She could not take him out, either]
But I doubt many would attempt to attack me so recklessly. Blanca might have the skills to kill me if I couldn't see him. The same could be said of Claude, Raven, Shima, and Soo-Won.
[A pause, then glancing at Emet] You as well.
[Like. He's just being honest.]
But of everyone, the only ones I have confidence would correctly assess the situation to kill me efficiently would be you, Hansa, and Ruler.
[he sounds a little amused about it, actually-- and then just waves a hand.]
Perhaps I could, perhaps I could not. Much would depend upon the situation itself, with my abilities dampened, but they are not all I have ever relied upon.
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And, ultimately, they have much the same idea. Although he knows he may well find a centaur in the woods, he's not inclined to deal with any of the others, putting some distance there... and eventually, coming across the very person he's avoided.
The feeling eases, but it seems just being here isn't quite enough. Also annoying, not to mention tiring; then again, he's felt a bit tired already.]
Hiding out here, are you? I had half a mind to do the same.
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Still. He silently admits he had rather hoped Emet-Selch would choose the planetarium to hide in. Because now he feels a bit lighter at the sight of him and that's a new frustration to add to the mixture.]
-- Please walk carefully. There are bears this far into the forest, I'm afraid, though they should leave us alone.
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I cannot say I have ever had need to fear the local wildlife.
[Of course, he no longer has his usual power, but still. The very thought of having to be careful of bears is another annoyance.]
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... But his warning wasn't for nothing, unfortunately, and Chiron's expression falls flat again when he hears shifting in the overgrowth. Bears at least have the good manners to announce themselves -- the large brown ones especially, who bellow and snarl in a show of intimidation. And while the centaur would have gracefully conceded ground if it had been a female protecting her cubs, it's just an irritable male that's angry that there's now a second person this close to his territory.
Chiron feels his mood drop another level. So he stands, one of his arms folded behind his back. His bow stays on the ground]
Wait to the side, if you would. [Spoken to Emet-Selch. They don't need to leave.]
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[he's been feeling irritable himself, of course he has to be like this...
but he folds his arms and waits, nevertheless, with one brow arched. there's no fear there, in the presence of an approaching wild animal, both because he is unused to needing it and because chiron's intent seems clear enough. emet-selch has little doubt it will be removed.]
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[Was that sass or was that being polite? Who knows. The bear is coming.
But even on its hind legs it's still a foot shorter than Chiron, and they are not an intellectual species besides. Really, the match-up is unfairly one-sided; the bear tries to lock arms with Chiron only to find out the centaur's are little busy winding around its neck in a chokehold. Its entire body is forced down, head first, Chiron's expression blank as he remains taunt through the struggling. Clearly he's trying to be polite about this and just remind the animal not to go sniffing up to strangers.
So the shift is rather subtle, the point between a centaur holding down an angry bear... and then an increasingly irate centaur who won't let the bear escape. Its swings and growls turn desperate until one of its arms bucks up against Chiron's foreleg, throwing off some of his gravity, and ... he apparently does not appreciate that.
He releases the bear's neck -- and then quick as a gunshot, kicks his forelegs directly at the bear's shoulder, knocking it into a tree and cracking the poor wood underneath. The battle was over already (it was hardly a battle to begin with), but that has the bear backing up as soon as it's upright, face dropped to the ground. Apparently, it realized its mistake.
Only once it slinks away does Chiron's arms fold behind his back again, uttering a deep, slow sigh]
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emet-selch remains out of the way, continuing to observe as he takes a seat beneath a tree, and after chiron's driven the poor bear off... there's a few slow claps behind him, because of course.]
Quite the performance. I do believe it won't make that mistake again.
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[Predators hunt, prey is hunted, everything dies eventually. He won't blame the creature for acting in accordance with its fate.
... Though the energy seems to seep out of him after he speaks, as if having realized the flavor that his conduct took. Emet would be correct in his assessment if he could hear it -- that moving Chiron to anger is a difficult task. And knowing someone was present during it is ...
Well. He'll worry about it later.
Another slow breath as he finally moves, walking over to a nearby tree and folding his legs underneath him again. He leans heavily against it]
Seeing as I unintentionally won the territory, now there will be no one to bother us.
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I'm sure that will be a relief to the trees, else they might not survive more such altercations.
[their poor wood.]
But with that out of the way... I do suppose we have put this off long enough already.
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... Yes, I suppose.
[isn't it sad that we could last not even two days, he doesn't say; their combined pride is battered enough for the week, so no need to pour salt into the wound.
And after a thoughtful beat, Chiron decides it will not hurt if he's the one to take the fall first, and gesture over for Emet-Selch to sit near him if he'd like]
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[with a long-suffering sigh, he does in fact sit nearby for once. he has less of the energy to be stubborn, which he assumes to be part of the point of all this.]
Firstly-- have you noticed anything else lost?
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That's closer, he supposes, and the lack of distance between them does admittedly help with lessening some of his ever-present irritation. But still.
Quickly swallowing down his dismay, Chiron stares unblinking at the ground while he talks]
My wish for the Holy Grail. I suspect what it is, but it seems I have lost sight of what I wanted in the first place.
[At least he doesn't sound torn up about it.]
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emet-selch contemplates that for a moment, though, before he asks-]
Then do you yet remember what you planned to do upon your return?
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Though while he ruminates on these annoyances:]
I won't be returning; I'm already dead.
[So. Thankfully another week where he gets to keep his senses]
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[he leans back against the tree he's settled under, peering up into its leaves.]
More time without concern, there-- though we will still have more than enough of them elsewhere.
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[His tail curls over his bottom legs as he trails off, distracted]
I had... considered telling everyone the truth about my death, given the new circumstances. If there's to be another target, I'd rather it be someone who will not cause harm in the long-run.
[...]
But I suspect the initial burden would be too great.
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Yes, of course. Invite them to remove a source of insight from this place, one we may yet have need of given how little we still know-- no matter what happens when we depart this place, did you not still wish to resolve the problem?
[sacrifice is sometimes all too necessary, he knows. if it came to that-- emet-selch would not stop him. but for this? for the sake of thinking himself a more acceptable target?
absolutely not.]
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Yes, that is partly the reason why I will not say anything for now.
[He'd been thinking more of the emotional cost when so many people already seem to depend on him, like robbing children of their parent when they are not yet fully grown, but--]
Besides, I am not the self-sacrificial type. I only do what needs to be done, not because I enjoy dying at every turn.
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besides that, he would likely think they just need to not depend on w single horse dad...]
You would not be long-lived, I suspect, if you were that sort. But do restrain yourself for now, and you ought to live well enough-- I doubt many should like to attempt killing you.
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Well, we shall see. [an almost amused shrug as he leans more heavily on the tree, watching Emet out of the corner of his eyes]
I few now realize I was once divine, and you know how humans occasionally enjoy proving their worth through murdering gods.
[on the one hand, he means this in jest -- he certainly hopes no one here is like that.
But it's not like that isn't a trend, either. Humans do love to prove their superiority in any means necessary]
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[humans...
he eyes him curiously at that, though.]
Should any attempt it, are there any you believe would give you much of a fight?
[you know, for reference, if they do choose to try to mcmurder their local centaur.]
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[...]
I would normally count Ruler among them, but without her powers-- [A frown. It pains him to say as much, but no, he shakes his head. She could not take him out, either]
But I doubt many would attempt to attack me so recklessly. Blanca might have the skills to kill me if I couldn't see him. The same could be said of Claude, Raven, Shima, and Soo-Won.
[A pause, then glancing at Emet] You as well.
[Like. He's just being honest.]
But of everyone, the only ones I have confidence would correctly assess the situation to kill me efficiently would be you, Hansa, and Ruler.
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[he sounds a little amused about it, actually-- and then just waves a hand.]
Perhaps I could, perhaps I could not. Much would depend upon the situation itself, with my abilities dampened, but they are not all I have ever relied upon.
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Is that correct? Well then, if you don't mind humoring me--
How would you approach the manner of my death.
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