Lord El-Melloi II - Waver Velvet (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ask_whydunit) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
aterat2022-08-23 12:08 pm
ask_whydunit) wrote in aterat2022-08-23 12:08 pm
Entry tags:
A to-do list disaster
Who; Lord El-Melloi II & YOU RIGHT THERE!
What; An open log
Where; The market
When; End of August/Early September
Warnings; None, but I will update if something comes up!
Note; If you would like something specific or have an idea, you are welcome to throw it at me. I can be reached at this journal or on discord @ WhimsicalSpook#8219
A to-do list disaster - Market District - OTA
Eventually following his first day and it’s enlightening conversations with a couple people he met, he’d forced himself to leave his flat in the red building again after steeling his nerves and compiling a list of things he was going to need. Usually his apprentice Gray would have volunteered to take it and gather things for him, knowing his rather pathetic constitution when it came to being out and about when he’d rather not be.
But Lady Gray wasn’t here, and he was a grown man who’d traveled the world for months before he’d settled down at the Clock Tower. He could damn well handle this, right? Right.
So out the door he went with a last frown at his list that included materials he needed to make more of his mystic code cigars, clothing, and materials or supplies he would need to 1. set up a classroom and 2. set up a mage workshop once he found a location that looked undesirable enough that people wouldn’t bother it… Oh, and a small scribble at the bottom to find that Raimon fellow’s shop to see if his abilities were as impressive as he suggested, hoping to get something he was going to need if he was going to be here for any great length of time.
He started towards the market, brushing a hand through his excessively long, dark hair with a sigh at the sky above. A certain king would have boisterously laughed at this situation, patting him on the back (and forgetting his own strength) while commenting on what a grand and exciting adventure he’d found himself in if he were present.
Eyes drifting the stalls as he passed them, he began making note of prices for things he couldn’t get in the first trip, while looking for the shops he knew would be his priorities.
Unfortunately, the fates tended to pick on him for reasons unknown, as he didn’t notice some rotten produce hadn’t quite made it into a refuse bin and stepped on it. The mushy vegetable underfoot made for a slippery cobblestone and down he went with a surprised shout, losing what little dignified demeanor and tone he’d been using while speaking before now. “Curse littering idiots to bloody blazes…!” He ground out in frustration, holding his head as he sat where he fell and gathered his nerves after the surprise and shock.
Continuation from the TDM for:soulsword
“Thank you, that’s very helpful, miss.” He ground out, the lines on his face deepening, and he reached up to massage his head in an attempt to alleviate the tension that had been growing. Seriously, she was reminding him of someone. Someone who would probably offer her a gift of thanks for ensuring he wouldn’t miss his darling younger ‘sister’s’ teasing. Brat. Still, he needed a moment to process the words she’d gone on to say. Returning to the exact moment he left would be ideal, as long as he wasn’t dying. He still wasn’t entirely sure he’d done something that was equal parts clever and stupid to stop lightning that had been thrown at them. But not remembering any of this? Well, fuck. He took a deep breath, clearly trying to not explode. “So you’re saying we’re essentially on a cosmically imposed hiatus from our lives to help another world clean up its messes post disaster, and something in the method we’re transported here and back removes the memories we obtain while here… Even the potentially useful ones. Isn’t that just bloody wonderful.”
Essentially: Thanks, I hate it.
“That either means he’ll make a mess in the name of being a hero or pull something helpful last minute in my experience.” Hopefully, it was the latter, but you never knew until something was actively happening. “If you haven’t seen evidence to prove his heroics, is that to say nothing in need of a hero happens around here or he just hasn’t had a chance?” Because, well, that would give him an idea of how much trouble he could expect from this place himself.
“More or less, if they don’t last with me, then they’re out.” Which, frankly, was dangerous in his opinion. Especially with people who had more power than they knew how to handle. They’d eventually become problems in some way, and then end up with sealing designations that either meant the ‘honor’ of being preserved in the depths of clock tower because of their potential value in reaching the Root, or dead in an alleyway depending on the policy departments rulings. A goddamned waste either way, in his opinion. “That’s correct. Odd names are common in mage society, in my experience.” They were a weird lot, Illyana. His real name was Waver, after all. He had no room to make fun of Flat’s name. His brow creased to hear what Illyana’s race had gone through, thanks to someone with talent for chaos magic. He hated wasted life, and a loss that heavy for a people was certainly counted that way. “I would say it certainly has the potential to be dangerous in my world as well, given some of the things I’ve seen in my life… Which is why working with students with so much potential is important.” To keep them out of trouble in the long run. Flat was his student, and so he was important to the man. If he were an honest man, he’d probably go as far as to admit he thought of them as his own kids with how protective of them he got.
The door titled ‘Bad Decisions’ was definitely the winner. Huffing, he shrugged stiffly. “I owe the Weins family for lending me money to purchase my professor’s lecture hall so the space wouldn’t go to waste. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean the students need to lose it.” He responded blandly. It was his fault as far as he was concerned that Kayneth was dead, after all. Which led to the second debt. “The El-Melloi debt is a little more complicated. I doubt we have the time to expand on that right now.” Which was to say, he wasn’t about to spill all his secrets to this woman he just met. Even if they were going to be colleagues, some things were best kept for another day.
“Really? You’re making it sound like I’m as old as dirt. I’m only 29!” He snapped back, a slight shift in his voice’s pitch at the end. Compared to the deeper, more refined tone he used, it was higher and actually younger sounding. Was the voice he used with everyone else a trained act to seem more impressive than he was? Probably, he had a lot of habits like that.
Hang on a sec, as he cast another glance at her with a raised brow. “You questioned my student’s name and you know someone named ‘Wolverine?’” And yes, the lack of a cigar was going to make him a little grumpy, if only because the useful properties of his secret mystic code were going to dissipate and he wasn’t keen for something bothersome to happen upon them.
Continuation from TDM for:harrythelizard
Hey, as long as Harry didn’t have some kind of eldritch monstrosity hiding inside him that would go on a rampage if something happened, then Lord El-Melloi II would count that as a step up from some of the more frustrating troublemakers he’d dealt with in his time. There were some magically inclined people that caused trouble that he could put up with, and some he wished to be a million miles away from if he heard they were in town.
But since he didn’t know that Harry was the one making the trouble, he simply offered a frown in return. “Ah, so that’s how it is. I can’t say I don’t understand it myself… Troublesome, when the universe keeps flinging unnecessary chaos caused by others your way.”
He eyed the front of the line again. The idea of having to cross the midway was not ideal. He wanted to get his food and get out of there, not go further in. That said, the indecisive man had begun asking more questions of the poor sod working the counter. Shoulders sagging, he let out a sigh. “Alright, probably for the best. Otherwise, we’ll be here all night.” He reluctantly stepped out of line to fall into step next to Harry. “Just warn me if you see any of that trouble flying by so I can sidestep out of the way.” He added. Was that a joke or a legitimate request? Hard to tell, given his deadpan delivery.
What; An open log
Where; The market
When; End of August/Early September
Warnings; None, but I will update if something comes up!
Note; If you would like something specific or have an idea, you are welcome to throw it at me. I can be reached at this journal or on discord @ WhimsicalSpook#8219
A to-do list disaster - Market District - OTA
Eventually following his first day and it’s enlightening conversations with a couple people he met, he’d forced himself to leave his flat in the red building again after steeling his nerves and compiling a list of things he was going to need. Usually his apprentice Gray would have volunteered to take it and gather things for him, knowing his rather pathetic constitution when it came to being out and about when he’d rather not be.
But Lady Gray wasn’t here, and he was a grown man who’d traveled the world for months before he’d settled down at the Clock Tower. He could damn well handle this, right? Right.
So out the door he went with a last frown at his list that included materials he needed to make more of his mystic code cigars, clothing, and materials or supplies he would need to 1. set up a classroom and 2. set up a mage workshop once he found a location that looked undesirable enough that people wouldn’t bother it… Oh, and a small scribble at the bottom to find that Raimon fellow’s shop to see if his abilities were as impressive as he suggested, hoping to get something he was going to need if he was going to be here for any great length of time.
He started towards the market, brushing a hand through his excessively long, dark hair with a sigh at the sky above. A certain king would have boisterously laughed at this situation, patting him on the back (and forgetting his own strength) while commenting on what a grand and exciting adventure he’d found himself in if he were present.
Eyes drifting the stalls as he passed them, he began making note of prices for things he couldn’t get in the first trip, while looking for the shops he knew would be his priorities.
Unfortunately, the fates tended to pick on him for reasons unknown, as he didn’t notice some rotten produce hadn’t quite made it into a refuse bin and stepped on it. The mushy vegetable underfoot made for a slippery cobblestone and down he went with a surprised shout, losing what little dignified demeanor and tone he’d been using while speaking before now. “Curse littering idiots to bloody blazes…!” He ground out in frustration, holding his head as he sat where he fell and gathered his nerves after the surprise and shock.
Continuation from the TDM for:
soulsword“Thank you, that’s very helpful, miss.” He ground out, the lines on his face deepening, and he reached up to massage his head in an attempt to alleviate the tension that had been growing. Seriously, she was reminding him of someone. Someone who would probably offer her a gift of thanks for ensuring he wouldn’t miss his darling younger ‘sister’s’ teasing. Brat. Still, he needed a moment to process the words she’d gone on to say. Returning to the exact moment he left would be ideal, as long as he wasn’t dying. He still wasn’t entirely sure he’d done something that was equal parts clever and stupid to stop lightning that had been thrown at them. But not remembering any of this? Well, fuck. He took a deep breath, clearly trying to not explode. “So you’re saying we’re essentially on a cosmically imposed hiatus from our lives to help another world clean up its messes post disaster, and something in the method we’re transported here and back removes the memories we obtain while here… Even the potentially useful ones. Isn’t that just bloody wonderful.”
Essentially: Thanks, I hate it.
“That either means he’ll make a mess in the name of being a hero or pull something helpful last minute in my experience.” Hopefully, it was the latter, but you never knew until something was actively happening. “If you haven’t seen evidence to prove his heroics, is that to say nothing in need of a hero happens around here or he just hasn’t had a chance?” Because, well, that would give him an idea of how much trouble he could expect from this place himself.
“More or less, if they don’t last with me, then they’re out.” Which, frankly, was dangerous in his opinion. Especially with people who had more power than they knew how to handle. They’d eventually become problems in some way, and then end up with sealing designations that either meant the ‘honor’ of being preserved in the depths of clock tower because of their potential value in reaching the Root, or dead in an alleyway depending on the policy departments rulings. A goddamned waste either way, in his opinion. “That’s correct. Odd names are common in mage society, in my experience.” They were a weird lot, Illyana. His real name was Waver, after all. He had no room to make fun of Flat’s name. His brow creased to hear what Illyana’s race had gone through, thanks to someone with talent for chaos magic. He hated wasted life, and a loss that heavy for a people was certainly counted that way. “I would say it certainly has the potential to be dangerous in my world as well, given some of the things I’ve seen in my life… Which is why working with students with so much potential is important.” To keep them out of trouble in the long run. Flat was his student, and so he was important to the man. If he were an honest man, he’d probably go as far as to admit he thought of them as his own kids with how protective of them he got.
The door titled ‘Bad Decisions’ was definitely the winner. Huffing, he shrugged stiffly. “I owe the Weins family for lending me money to purchase my professor’s lecture hall so the space wouldn’t go to waste. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean the students need to lose it.” He responded blandly. It was his fault as far as he was concerned that Kayneth was dead, after all. Which led to the second debt. “The El-Melloi debt is a little more complicated. I doubt we have the time to expand on that right now.” Which was to say, he wasn’t about to spill all his secrets to this woman he just met. Even if they were going to be colleagues, some things were best kept for another day.
“Really? You’re making it sound like I’m as old as dirt. I’m only 29!” He snapped back, a slight shift in his voice’s pitch at the end. Compared to the deeper, more refined tone he used, it was higher and actually younger sounding. Was the voice he used with everyone else a trained act to seem more impressive than he was? Probably, he had a lot of habits like that.
Hang on a sec, as he cast another glance at her with a raised brow. “You questioned my student’s name and you know someone named ‘Wolverine?’” And yes, the lack of a cigar was going to make him a little grumpy, if only because the useful properties of his secret mystic code were going to dissipate and he wasn’t keen for something bothersome to happen upon them.
Continuation from TDM for:
harrythelizardHey, as long as Harry didn’t have some kind of eldritch monstrosity hiding inside him that would go on a rampage if something happened, then Lord El-Melloi II would count that as a step up from some of the more frustrating troublemakers he’d dealt with in his time. There were some magically inclined people that caused trouble that he could put up with, and some he wished to be a million miles away from if he heard they were in town.
But since he didn’t know that Harry was the one making the trouble, he simply offered a frown in return. “Ah, so that’s how it is. I can’t say I don’t understand it myself… Troublesome, when the universe keeps flinging unnecessary chaos caused by others your way.”
He eyed the front of the line again. The idea of having to cross the midway was not ideal. He wanted to get his food and get out of there, not go further in. That said, the indecisive man had begun asking more questions of the poor sod working the counter. Shoulders sagging, he let out a sigh. “Alright, probably for the best. Otherwise, we’ll be here all night.” He reluctantly stepped out of line to fall into step next to Harry. “Just warn me if you see any of that trouble flying by so I can sidestep out of the way.” He added. Was that a joke or a legitimate request? Hard to tell, given his deadpan delivery.
no subject
"Well," she tilted her head and smirked. "I hope you can learn quickly." Not that she really thought he'd find out too much about this place. Quite a lot of it remained a mystery in a way that might frustrate her. She wouldn't readily admit to being frustrated by it though, that would admit being easily frustrated. Which she definitely wasn't.
"So you don't even get a degree? You just get a higher level of mage knowledge?" That was interesting. "How many ranks are there?" Or was it even more random then just having fixed ranks? "Ah. There must be fierce competition for finding something like the source of all magic." A part of her wondered how close anyone had gotten to actually finding that. She could only imagine demons in her world being eager to chase that down.
"Oh no, no idea about an answer," she said with a smile. "Just had a tiny guess." Which she clearly was right about. Was she smug about that? Just a bit. But she was always smug about being correct. There wasn't a time when she wasn't at least a tiny itty bitty bit smug about being correct about an assumption.
"They have tried to make us feel things other than pride. It's never worked for me." She felt shame for her demonic side and for the things she'd done without a soul. She felt shame for some of the choices she'd made beyond that. But she'd never felt any sort of shame over being a mutant.
no subject
“Oh, I intend to be. Not fond of leaving puzzles unsolved.” He responded with a small huff. Even if he had the distinct feeling he’d be lucky to at least get the basics of life here figured out, there would undoubtedly be a few extra wrinkles added to his brow in his attempt to figure out more than that. He couldn’t leave well enough alone, and made things that much harder for himself. At least it meant entertainment for those watching, as he floundered through one mess and into another with enough frowns and pretend grace as he could manage. So Illyana would at least get a show of it if she happened to be around.
Mages did tend to operate a little differently from the rest of society, moving alongside in their complicated, largely unknown way from the rest of the world. Raising a hand, he almost proceeded as he would in class or when explaining the way of something to Gray. He did at least give Illyana a slightly more abridged version. “There are seven ranks that mages can achieve. From bottom to top they would be: Frame, Count, Cause, Fes, Pride, Brand and then finally Grand. The last is rarest, although more people would hold it if it was worth the trouble.” He counted them off on fingers, before continuing as he lowered his hands. “Then there are the colour ranks, although they’re more like additional titles for mages who have proved to be of particularly exceptional talents.”
Waver had long given up the idea of reaching the root himself. He’d come to terms with his abilities for one… And for another, he had more important goals for himself that he would rather focus on than wasting time on a pointless endeavor. “The competition is often quite fierce, each mage guards their family’s magic secrets quite heavily in their pursuit… It’s not uncommon for the disownment of children who either prove early that they can’t make the cut or decide to pursue other endeavors.”
Her smug grin is met with an annoyed frown in return, like he knows she was pleased with herself for figuring out the answer to the question either before or soon after she posed it. Regardless, it was another expression he was used to having directed at him. He tried to not be obvious, but some people were good at reading him… And it didn’t help when he tended to be a bit (sometimes a lot) reactive. The frown loses it’s edge though as she continued to explain how people had tried to make her feel shame for her abilities, but hadn’t succeeded. “A thicker skin for such things than most, I presume.” That’s a compliment, really. He knows how easy it is to let words affect one, and he’d seen it often enough even among his students.
no subject
"You may find yourself frustrated here then." It seemed like there were some mysteries here that had no actual answers. She tilted her head as they walked, turning to look at him as he explained the different classes. "I see, Professor." Just the tiniest hint of teasing came into her tone with that. It wasn't malicious, but she couldn't help but poke fun at how much he seemed like he was given a classroom lecture to her. Her amusement only grew as she thought about the names he was giving. "Those are real?" She laughed. "Who came up with a system like that? Colors make more sense than Cause and Pride." What sort of ridiculous titles were those? It was almost like they were purposely trying to be confusing.
"Wouldn't it be better to combine family secrets for a better chance to find it?" Seemed counterproductive to guard secrets and compete with each other like that. "Your world sounds like it's full of demons." That was exactly how they worked. They guarded their knowledge and constantly vied for positions of power. Those who didn't make it, were often treated to something worse than just being disowned. That was the way of demons though, the weak died while the strong were used.
She let out a chuckle and nodded. "Much thicker. I got used to people hating me. It's easier." There was truth in that, though in the very back of her mind there was some sadness to it all. It did make it easier though, that was definitely true. The more people hated her, the easier it was to make the difficult decisions that nobody else would. That was something she came to terms with long ago.
no subject
The tone in which she called him professor gets a sidelong glance. She meant it to be teasing, but… Little did she know, Waver actually preferred just about anything to his lordship title. Even if it was a habit to use and afforded him certain consideration from the right people who didn’t know him and his life story. So, teasing or not, he seemed to take to it easily enough. Less of a tired, harassed expression on his face. At least until she started laughing, and the aggrieved tension returned. “Not me, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s been like that as long as I can remember, but I presume it was some stuffy aristocratic mages involved with the founder.” The prior lords put in charge of each department, heads of each of the main families. Most of whom would be having fits if they knew a nobody like him was sitting in one of their seats, even temporarily. The current lords barely tolerated him as it was, even as they delighted in making him jump through hoops or tried to push him to choose sides.
“You would think, and I’ve certainly seen success in tackling something by utilizing the strengths of a group… But mages have always been a solitary, cagey lot when it comes to being the first to reach the root.” While he had come to understand the problems with his original theory… He hadn’t given it up entirely, and on top of that? The old ways that mages clung to were going to eventually stagnate and choke off progress if they couldn’t adapt to the changing world. The time of the gods had ended. The time of the fairies had ended. And their time, undoubtedly, would also fade one day. It was why, of course, his department attracted a lot of new thinking and new mages, or those young enough to see the merit in the idea. “Considering some of the things I’ve seen… That’s probably not entirely inaccurate as observations go.” Maybe that was a little insulting to mage society to admit, but it wasn’t wrong where many were concerned.
Waver listened to her as she continued, and let a breath out through his nose at the statement. Easier to be hated, huh? “You know, the more you talk the more you remind me of someone.” He commented thoughtfully, adding to the list in his head. He wondered how Illyana saw herself beneath all the teasing and quick, intelligent words.
no subject
She hadn't expected him to take the teasing so well and a tiny part of her was disappointed. Luckily (or unluckily depending on perspective) he seemed irritated by her laughter. Was he sensitive to things related to magic specifically then? Maybe that was the angle she should take when teasing him. Sometimes it took time to find that exact thing one needed to tease properly with. "I wonder if they had a board meeting to decide it. Maybe it was all voted on! Imagine all these mages in a room while someone suggests Fes and Brand as possible names for our ranks." It was actually a hilarious thought. Now she was actually picturing the various demonic mages in her world sitting around a board table discussing adding ranks to their number. "The ones in my world do have board meetings. I think I was a topic once or twice." Someone really hadn't liked her hostile takeover of a demonic dimension.
"Magic can do that to a person." At least in her world. The type of magic one used could have a huge influence on someone's inner nature. In particular dark magic could leave a stain on someone if one practiced it too much in the improper ways. Even if one was careful there was always some sort of risk involved in casting too dark of a spell. "The more power one acquires, the more they fear that knowledge being taken by someone else." Paranoia seemed to run deep with sorcerers as well. "Several of the demons I know were once simple human sorcerers." Who had decided they wanted more power than a human could handle.
"Someone talented and wise?"
no subject
He would almost find her disappointment in a failed teasing, almost like scoring a point, or at least blocking one, if there was a score at all. He huffed, half an undignified snort at the question. “Oh, I can most certainly assure you there was probably something like a board meeting in my world too, even all the way back then. Most of them cling to the ‘old ways.’ They love their meetings, all twelve lords sitting around a table making decisions and passive aggressively baiting each other to see if they can’t win the lesser lords into choosing a different side.” Yes, he is speaking from bitter experience. He hated most of them, and at least tolerated others. “Being the subject of a bunch of mages’ discussion… Not something I would count as good for the subject.”
“It can… Changes people, in more ways than some expect.” He responded with a frown, the amount of cases he got called in on where a mage had crossed certain lines were not small by any means… Put him on the wrong side of the policy department more often than not, though Adashino always seemed to think it entertaining to indulge the ‘great detective’s’ theories and insistence on not jumping the gun. “Oh, they certainly do… And they hate if you happen to figure it all out without their permission.” He smiled wryly. It was a bad habit of his. More than one mage hated him for it, though he only did it on purpose sometimes… “The lengths I’ve seen some go to in order to hide their secrets were truly foolish.” And nearly their own undoing in at least one case he’d been a part of.
That got a chuckle, a rare sound from the man. “Something like that, yes.” Intelligent, talented, and quite sure her personality made her something horrible for having been raised the way she was. Not that many mage children grew up without some form of trauma or warped personality. It was practically a club jacket. But she found it easier to be disliked than loved by everyone… A pain in his ass, but also someone he found himself concerned for on more than one occasion.
no subject
"Are board meetings old ways?" It made sense if they were. "I always thought the old ways was involved sitting around an altar plotting who to sacrifice." If she was kidding she didn't actually show it with an expression. Her face was completely neutral with no hint of smile or amusement. "Oh! They do sound like demons. They all sit around like that too." She shrugged rather nonchalantly. "I didn't mind."
Which was the truth. It was irritating more than anything to have to deal with them. Beyond that she hardly cared who talked about her or when. "Experience with it then?" It was unsurprising to hear that he did. Magic was probably similar in most worlds. Or at the very least it had to have at least vaguely similar rules. "That seems to be a consistent. People will always go to extreme lengths to keep their secrets hidden."
She tilted her head and smiled. "Good. For a second I thought you might be trying to insult me."
no subject
“Whether it was called a board meeting or a ‘council’ of some sort, it’s still a bunch of self-important people sitting around deciding the way things are ‘supposed to be.’” He responded with a small rise of his shoulders, knowing full well he’d be inviting a curse on himself for mocking the Lords and their way of doing things if he were heard. Oh well. They couldn’t know and curses probably didn’t reach this far… Probably. A circle of demons also probably wasn’t a stretch for a descriptor either, given their conversation thus far.
He couldn’t imagine not minding being the subject of conversation when it came to a bunch of powerful mages… It usually meant bad things in his experience. She either was too powerful a person to worry about it, or like the idea of being ‘hated’, she just didn’t care. At her question concerning his experience with magic changing a person, he considered the last ten or so years with a nod. “I do, seen it in a few different ways, for better or worse.” He offered a slight shrug. “They do, though they fail to have thought of the inevitable day that it gets figured out, or when the over-complicated plans to keep something secret blows up in their face.” The Iselma case still made him shudder.
He tilted his head slightly at that. “I shudder to think what you might have done if I was. But no. It’s not an insult.” Just an observation, even if both were excellent at getting under his skin with teasing, it didn’t merit an insult or dislike exactly… Just an occasional tired sigh and the odd snappy come back if he thought of one when something was said.
no subject
"For better?" Now she found herself curious on how things may have gotten better for someone. Would she even consider her own magic as something that had improved her life for the better? Perhaps in the grand scheme of things it had. If she hadn't learned how to harness her magic she would have never achieved her freedom. But magic was what had gotten her into that world in the first place. It had also corrupted her a considerable amount which had led to numerous problems. She rolled her shoulders in a shrug finally. "Those kind of people always fail to think of some aspect of the plan."
She let out a laugh at that. "Good. You should shudder. It's safer that way."
no subject
“Sometimes, not all experiences are bad… They can be good for growth in a roundabout way.” That was how he’d describe his younger self’s foolish act of hubris in taking part in the Grail ritual in Fuyuki… It set him on the path he was on now, and while it was not a comfortable or easy one? He was better for having made the mistakes he made, regrets or not. And the regrets would only continue to haunt him if he didn’t succeed in the future.
Her laughter aside, Waver had a feeling that there was a little truth in her comment… He was used to dealing with those more powerful than him, and most of them didn’t take being insulted lightly. “That has been my experience in the past, so I’ll continue to keep it in mind.”
no subject
She tilted her head curiously. "Do you have experience with a bad experience that spurred growth then?" He couldn't just say such ominous things and leave her guessing like that. It was rude.
no subject
Mostly.
Which, on that note, gets a rise of his brow at the curiosity in Illyana’s tone. He still doesn’t think they have the time to go through the whole… Absconding with his teacher’s relic in an act of rebellion and participating in the holy grail war story…
But she was asking, and his shoulders sank a bit with a small frown. “To put it plainly, yes. I was an upstart, naïve little brat when I was younger. An act of hubris concerning forces beyond my abilities taught me a valuable lesson and I suppose you could say it set me on the path I’m on now.” Waver really did look back at his younger self with a particular disdain, though not many liked who they’d been as a teenager. But meeting who he had, surviving what he had… It had made him want to reach for something more, and to grow and change. He wasn’t always sure if he’d come that far, but he liked to think he was still better than he had been.
no subject
"Must have been quite the lesson. Maybe you can tell the story someday."
no subject
But he gave her a sidelong glance, considering the suggestion. “Perhaps I can, one day. You did say we have nothing but time around here, after all. Just see if you can catch me in the right mood.” He added with a wry tone. He wasn’t sure how true that was, but he had a feeling he was going to be seeing Illyana around enough, if their discussion tonight and the thoughts on the Academy were anything to go by.
no subject
no subject
Hey, some of what she’d offered was useful in its own way… And it had been good to get to know at least one person in this weird place. She had even given him a starting point for getting settled, which was more than he expected for day one.