wizardmanor | Floor 1 Room 4

[ He nods. ]

Oz.

What do you think of it?

It puts the castle in a really difficult position. I bet they don't want them there as much as we don't want them looking after him.

[ For various reasons. But deciding to move him would be so much worse... ]

If some people outside got wind of this, they'd be in huge trouble. [ And they, as the sage and sage's wizards, would probably have to intervene. ]

...You think they're just looking after him?

[Explain that one to him, please.]

He's comatose.

And you trust them to take care of him while he's in that condition?

[ He sighs. ] I don't know. It's difficult, because we can't take him out of the castle without attracting all the wrong kinds of attention.

[ He props his chin in his hand. ]

But I trust you and the barrier you guys put up.

[ It's true, but he's not confident that's going to make Ahito happy. ]

Would the barrier stop any inside attacks, though...

[That's his main concern really.]

I don't know why the castle guards would attack him, though...

[ He thinks. Central would be stupid to do that. ]

Unless you mean someone infiltrating?

He just sounded like a divisive person. The kind of trouble just about any country'd be glad to be rid of.

[ Tatara hums. ]

I could see that. But...I think he's the one leg up Central has over the West.

[ Even though he's not technically under Central jurisdiction...he's still considered a Central wizard. The people at the castle would be stupid to want to kill him.

That said— ]

That said, I think if anything happened to him, the one person they'd be pissing off the most is the crown prince. And I don't think they want to do that.

[He regards Tatara for a moment. But, eventually:]

...If you're sure. You'd know more about the country relations than me.

[Especially since he??? Seems to be doing his job now???? When did that happen]

[ Tatara sighs, and shrugs lazily. Boy, does he ever! ]

Whether I like it or not.

[ Ah well! ]

Either way, Central probably won't do anything to him. I go to the castle pretty often—I can keep you in the loop of how he's doing if you want.

[Who killed the real Tatara and replaced him.]

...

Sure.

[He doesn't sound sure.]

[ i'm so sad i deleted my :D? icon because that's exactly what his face is right now

:D? ]

Ahito-kun?

[ He sees the uncertainty in Ahito's face. is he ok... ]

Since when have you been actually interested in working?

Do I seem interested?! Am I tarnishing my image?!

[ Tatara gives a dramatic gasp, placing the back of his hand to his forehead. Oh, the tragedy!

...He drops the act pretty quickly, though, and rests his head on the back of the chair with a tired smile. ]

I can't say it's really all that fun, but it's nice knowing that I'm doing something to protect you all and, hopefully, take a step closer to sending you back.

Do you think any of this info has anything to do with sending us home?

[ Tatara shrugs. ]

Not sure. But it probably makes sense to make sure all the original sage's wizards are back in place before we leave, right?

There is still the comatose part we'd have to figure out...

[ He sighs. ]

Yeah...

[ He isn't sure what to do about that. Maybe one of the original wizards would know what to do, but that would require him being awake, too...

All of a sudden, he smiles easy, tilting his head to the side. ]

It'll be fine, Ahito-kun. It'll work out!

Ah, there's the irresponsible sage again.

[He was not in fact replaced with a weird alternate version. Good to know.]

[ Tatara laughs, tickled by the reaction. ]

Oh, good. I can't seem too responsible!

[ He gets up from his chair and strides right over to Ahito, not waiting for any reaction, to pat him on the head. ]

Thanks for the talk. I'll go organize my thoughts. You go find Syrlya, okay?

[-! Going to try to slap that hand away.]

Stop that. And - I'll think about it.

[He will.]

Good! That's all I can ask.

[ At least he got his headpat in. Yay!

Tatara won't overstay his welcome, and he steps back when Ahito tells him to stop. With his book and pen tucked under his arm and a little wave, he turns to leave. ]

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dyingtohealyou - 2024-05-24 02:12 (UTC) - Expand