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
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.]