[ Tatara's eyes widen slightly when he hears that. A fight, huh. At last?
He's surprised they made it this long without one. The guys in Homra couldn't last a week without scuffling with one another in some way.
Still, he inhales—not in a sigh, but to let the cool night air wake him up. ]
Clean-up duty, huh. [ He pushes the window open wider, swings a leg over the sill, and reaches for Solomon's help to get on his broom. ] Sure. Let's go.
[He'll nod his understanding, keeping the broom steady as he holds a hand out for Tatara to take. It's only the second floor, but that's still not a fall he wants to watch.]
I can take care of most of it, so long as you can give me a boost. It seems I've stretched myself a little too thin tonight.
Mn. It could have been. Khun was in the process of beheading Mika, from the looks of it.
[With Tatara's hand gripping his coat, Solomon guides the broom away from the window, a careful drift over to the courtyard space. The scent of blood is still evident, though no longer fresh.]
He openly admitted to instigating. Ginger physically threw himself at Khun for that, but Malice was able to restrain him and others made sure Khun disengaged.
Tensions were extremely high, though. Mika entered a frenzied state soon after people started intervening. Jing Yuan was hurt, but Yamato was able to set off a curse to pacify Mika before anyone else was touched.
[He eases the broom close enough to the ground for Tatara to hop off before following suit, dismissing it in a shower of stars.]
I was already outside on the rooftop, so I was one of the first to intercept. Holding a barrier between them for so long just took more out of me than I'm used to.
[ He listens intently, despite how still sleepy he is, and he takes in the names. Mika and Khun. Ginger. Jing Yuan, Yamato.
Hmm.
He alights onto the ground, takes stock of the courtyard, then looks to Solomon. He holds his hand out for him to take. If he knows he can use him for an extra power boost, then he doesn't need to explain at this point. ]
[ With Solomon's hand in his, Tatara gives a little squeeze and looks up at him. ]
Got it. I'll check on them later. [ Who is "them?" He doesn't specify. But that Khun went off on his own worries him a bit, so he is definitely on the list. ]
Thank you for stepping in, Solomon. I'm glad no one died.
No need to thank me. Murdering one another is a pretty foolish use of our time. Plus, I told our dear Mika I'd intervene as much as needed if he went out of control again.
If Yamato's curse hadn't worked, I had Mika's permission to kill him. We're lucky things didn't go that way.
[He exhales as he tries to let Tatara's touch settle his own power. It's hard to notice when he's already scraping close to empty, but it feels closer to home. Closer to what is comfortable, to pull from something more innately connected.
His wand is raised with a firm exhale, his incantation stated with absolute intent.
Manu Propria.
The moisture in the air, the soil, the spray of the fountain - in a moment, it all instantly shifts and draws in. Water finds its way to what doesn't belong, to the acrid remains of blood and tissue - it surrounds it, bit by bit, along rock and bark and greenery, and drags it down into the pores of the earth.
...]
I don't wish to kill my allies either, Tatara. It's not something I would ever do lightly. But I have to draw my limit somewhere. Not everything can be addressed with words.
Sometimes you have to take action, even if the actions available are not ideal.
[ Before the spell even really finishes working its (literal) magic, Tatara gently pulls his hand away. His attention shifts from the cleaning courtyard to Solomon's face. ]
I'm not talking to you as me. I'm talking to you as your sage.
[ He turns to face him fully. He's not very tall, but his tired eyes stare up at him, unblinking. ]
It doesn't matter what Mika wants. Mika's frenzies are my and Lazuli's responsibility. Not yours.
[ His tone is even, not very forceful. Like he normally talks, discussing the weather. ]
[Ah, there goes his battery. The water shimmers, struggles to holds its shape before collapsing into numerous puddles around the courtyard. Solomon turns to meet Tatara's gaze with a solemn expression.]
And if he loses himself against you again? Or if we have a repeat of what happened here? Lazuli didn't interfere tonight, and you yourself slept through it. In the time it would have taken to wake you, we'd have been looking at casualty, not injury.
I'm not going to stand idle if we're staring down that immediate of a danger with neither of you ready to take action, my dear Sage.
It's not changing Solomon's mind - this isn't exactly anything but a last-ditch plan anyway. But he feels that Tatara isn't going to change his response no matter how he words it, so he simply leaves it quiet.]
He really doesn't want to make this into an argument. It's an admirable and pacifistic heart that Tatara is trying to nurture in what time he has left.
So he bites his tongue for a long moment, his eyes losing their icy edge.]
Be careful not to rob your wizards of their humanity just because the rest of the world chooses to do the same, my dear Sage. Some of us must keep the greater good in mind regardless of our situation or feelings.
So long as you and our little sparrow can intervene, I won't take further action. If other options can be chosen, they can be a priority. But I cannot give you my word on anything else.
[ He looks up at Solomon, the gears in his mind are turning. Whatever he's thinking about, he doesn't voice or share, but ultimately, he holds out his hand again. ]
[That, at least, gets a look of relief. He does not want to make promises, either, nor does he want to accept them. Not here. To nip it so thoroughly at the bud grants him some measure of peace.
A beat, two, and his own palm rests against Tatara's own in return.]
That is all I ask, my dear Sage.
[To agree to disagree, at least for the moment, like a wild horse refusing to be broken and led by other hands, outside its own whims and wants.
He raises his free hand, and wordlessly continues his work on the courtyard. It is all he will ask Tatara for - should Tatara want to return to his room, Solomon will take him back up without argument. Otherwise, Solomon will dismiss himself, appearing in the kitchen for only a brief amount of time before slipping off the manor grounds entirely until morning.]
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no subject
Sorry for the surprise wake-up call. [Very light, an exhausted attempt at a joke, before he drops the humor.]
There's been a fight between Khun and Mika. It's under control for the time being, but the courtyard is a mess.
I'd like to ask for your help for a moment.
no subject
He's surprised they made it this long without one. The guys in Homra couldn't last a week without scuffling with one another in some way.
Still, he inhales—not in a sigh, but to let the cool night air wake him up. ]
Clean-up duty, huh. [ He pushes the window open wider, swings a leg over the sill, and reaches for Solomon's help to get on his broom. ] Sure. Let's go.
[ He's still in his pajamas, but who cares. ]
no subject
I can take care of most of it, so long as you can give me a boost. It seems I've stretched myself a little too thin tonight.
no subject
He grips Solomon's hand and carefully maneuvers himself onto his broom. One hand grips onto the handle, while the other digs into Solomon's clothes. ]
Yeah, not a problem. That's what I'm here for.
[ He peers up at Solomon's expression. ]
Was it really that bad? [ If he's running low on magic... ]
no subject
[With Tatara's hand gripping his coat, Solomon guides the broom away from the window, a careful drift over to the courtyard space. The scent of blood is still evident, though no longer fresh.]
He openly admitted to instigating. Ginger physically threw himself at Khun for that, but Malice was able to restrain him and others made sure Khun disengaged.
Tensions were extremely high, though. Mika entered a frenzied state soon after people started intervening. Jing Yuan was hurt, but Yamato was able to set off a curse to pacify Mika before anyone else was touched.
[He eases the broom close enough to the ground for Tatara to hop off before following suit, dismissing it in a shower of stars.]
I was already outside on the rooftop, so I was one of the first to intercept. Holding a barrier between them for so long just took more out of me than I'm used to.
no subject
[ He listens intently, despite how still sleepy he is, and he takes in the names. Mika and Khun. Ginger. Jing Yuan, Yamato.
Hmm.
He alights onto the ground, takes stock of the courtyard, then looks to Solomon. He holds his hand out for him to take. If he knows he can use him for an extra power boost, then he doesn't need to explain at this point. ]
Where are they all now?
no subject
Malice and Yamato... I think they're probably in the dining room - Bruno said he was offering tea. Jing Yuan has been healed and looked whole enough.
Khun left on his own volition. Mika was healed but still pacified - Ginger took him away on his own to try and feed him when he wakes up.
no subject
Got it. I'll check on them later. [ Who is "them?" He doesn't specify. But that Khun went off on his own worries him a bit, so he is definitely on the list. ]
Thank you for stepping in, Solomon. I'm glad no one died.
no subject
No need to thank me. Murdering one another is a pretty foolish use of our time. Plus, I told our dear Mika I'd intervene as much as needed if he went out of control again.
If Yamato's curse hadn't worked, I had Mika's permission to kill him. We're lucky things didn't go that way.
[...
He'll squeeze Tatara's hand in return.]
What do you need me to do?
no subject
You don't have my permission. It doesn't matter what Mika tells you. You are not killing your allies.
[ They can figure this out without violence.
Tatara glances at the courtyard, then back to Solomon. He shakes his head. ]
Nothing special. Clean up the blood, I guess. I should be enough to give you a boost.
[ He squeezes Solomon's hand. Just don't let go! ]
no subject
[He exhales as he tries to let Tatara's touch settle his own power. It's hard to notice when he's already scraping close to empty, but it feels closer to home. Closer to what is comfortable, to pull from something more innately connected.
His wand is raised with a firm exhale, his incantation stated with absolute intent.
Manu Propria.
The moisture in the air, the soil, the spray of the fountain - in a moment, it all instantly shifts and draws in. Water finds its way to what doesn't belong, to the acrid remains of blood and tissue - it surrounds it, bit by bit, along rock and bark and greenery, and drags it down into the pores of the earth.
...]
I don't wish to kill my allies either, Tatara. It's not something I would ever do lightly. But I have to draw my limit somewhere. Not everything can be addressed with words.
Sometimes you have to take action, even if the actions available are not ideal.
no subject
[ Before the spell even really finishes working its (literal) magic, Tatara gently pulls his hand away. His attention shifts from the cleaning courtyard to Solomon's face. ]
I'm not talking to you as me. I'm talking to you as your sage.
[ He turns to face him fully. He's not very tall, but his tired eyes stare up at him, unblinking. ]
It doesn't matter what Mika wants. Mika's frenzies are my and Lazuli's responsibility. Not yours.
[ His tone is even, not very forceful. Like he normally talks, discussing the weather. ]
No killing.
no subject
And if he loses himself against you again? Or if we have a repeat of what happened here? Lazuli didn't interfere tonight, and you yourself slept through it. In the time it would have taken to wake you, we'd have been looking at casualty, not injury.
I'm not going to stand idle if we're staring down that immediate of a danger with neither of you ready to take action, my dear Sage.
no subject
[ In Tatara's mind, he doesn't see what the big deal is. It's an easy ask. Don't kill is like, the bare minimum. ]
You're a wizard now. You have to start thinking like one.
[ ... ]
And this isn't your responsibility. I'll talk to Laz.
no subject
It's not changing Solomon's mind - this isn't exactly anything but a last-ditch plan anyway. But he feels that Tatara isn't going to change his response no matter how he words it, so he simply leaves it quiet.]
And how do you expect a wizard to think?
no subject
[ Aren't there a million ways to go about a situation with magic at their disposal?
He shrugs. ]
no subject
[...
He really doesn't want to make this into an argument. It's an admirable and pacifistic heart that Tatara is trying to nurture in what time he has left.
So he bites his tongue for a long moment, his eyes losing their icy edge.]
Be careful not to rob your wizards of their humanity just because the rest of the world chooses to do the same, my dear Sage. Some of us must keep the greater good in mind regardless of our situation or feelings.
So long as you and our little sparrow can intervene, I won't take further action. If other options can be chosen, they can be a priority. But I cannot give you my word on anything else.
no subject
[ He looks up at Solomon, the gears in his mind are turning. Whatever he's thinking about, he doesn't voice or share, but ultimately, he holds out his hand again. ]
I'll keep that in mind.
no subject
A beat, two, and his own palm rests against Tatara's own in return.]
That is all I ask, my dear Sage.
[To agree to disagree, at least for the moment, like a wild horse refusing to be broken and led by other hands, outside its own whims and wants.
He raises his free hand, and wordlessly continues his work on the courtyard. It is all he will ask Tatara for - should Tatara want to return to his room, Solomon will take him back up without argument. Otherwise, Solomon will dismiss himself, appearing in the kitchen for only a brief amount of time before slipping off the manor grounds entirely until morning.]