[There's a pause and the sound of the door unlocking. And then Chiron there, same as he ever was, although wearing a bit more of a spiffed up suit than he might otherwise be wearing.
[ Achilles himself is wearing the uniform COST has provided him. When he comes in, his eyes will naturally drift down to his legs, before he catches himself and actually laughs. ]
Hah! I still find it strange to look upon you in this form. Have you considered asking for your legs back?
[ He'll stroll in like he owns the place, already making himself comfortable by collapsing on the bed and spreading his arms out to take up most of the room. ]
As I was walking over here, I had a thought - even if we have this talk in person, COST will probably still be listening to everything we say.
[ The Regency, he says. That's a bit irksome, isn't it? But Achilles has never been the type to censor himself regardless of what he says.
He just wanted to save what he is about to say for the person he's been questioning so far. ]
I don't know if I trust the other Chiron. As a whole, I'm not sure if I should trust COST either.
Since Gallipoli, I've had so many questions. I feel as though I was sent away because I was asking too many, and now I feel even more soured.
That other man hasn't earned my loyalty like you have. You aren't the same person. And he's done nothing but make me question what his true intentions in this war are.
[ He moves to sit, hanging his head as he lets a moment of silence pass. He needs to think before he speaks, so he's being careful. As much as he doesn't trust COST, he's not about to give the enemy information that can be easily exploited. ]
Questions that he himself refused to answer.
I had begged him to give me reason to trust him, and he failed to do that.
I won't be manipulated. [ Then he finally lifts his head to hold the other's stare. ] And I won't let him endanger those I care about either.
Even if they choose it? Or if they agree with what is being done?
[The question is asked with a mild tone. But Chiron knows that he stands with himself.
There is another question, of course. What is Achilles doing here if he does not have any trust in the organization? What is gained, what is owed from his point of view?]
No, that is information I don't have, nor would I expect to have. Armies like this cannot share information at all levels. It isn't their way.
[In contrast, Chiron is the definition of calm. He can guess at where this might go, and if it means standing in opposition to Achilles again, he knows he can harden his heart and go through with the matter.]
I am asking if you intend to try and stop me if I ever err in your judgement.
[ So it's not about what he'd initially suspected or feared. Still, his expression shows something like regret, as if he's prematurely experiencing it before anything has happened. ]
If you stray from your path, it would be my duty to stop you.
But I believe you would do the right thing no matter what. It wouldn't come to that.
[ And in turn, there is boyish admiration in Achilles'. ]
Your path is just! You're a hero, too, even if you're just a teacher.
Everything you stand for and believe in has always been about doing what is right.
[ His shoulders sag in what looks almost like defeat. He turns his face, looking at nowhere in particular but ultimately avoiding Chiron's scrutinizing gaze. ]
Even during the Holy Grail War, our paths diverged, but I never thought that you'd been corrupted.
But now I'm fearful of that happening. There's so much that I don't know.
[Chiron honestly has no idea what to do with any of this. He's already been stressed out to his limit just surviving, and now this. He's able to keep it all below the surface (venting with Siegfried not too long ago did a lot to help with that.)
But it also means that he's at a loss for words.]
Achilles, you have to make sense of all of this on your own terms. It's a harder fight because this is such a long game of a war, with rules of engagement far too elaborate when compared with our own codes.
And if there is corruption, remember what we are. I will pass, and the Throne of Heroes will remove that problem.
[ Maybe it'd been naive of him to go to Chiron with hope that he'd offer some sort of guidance. What words he's able to give him are wise, but he doesn't provide the answers he'd been wanting, and on top of that, he's made an opposition that challenges Achilles' conflict further.
Vulnerability, though he's not ashamed of, doesn't last as softened features in his expression fix into something more hard and composed. ]
We can't depend on the Throne to do that, can we?
Though we're Heroic Spirits, we have our own free will. We can do with that as we please.
Right now, I seek truth and I will find it even if I have to do so by force.
That's how I'll make sense of all this by my own terms.
Then again when the fuck has Achilles ever listened to anyone? Why is Chiron actually surprised, that's the real question here. There is a weary noise that gets caught in the back of his throat. This isn't what Chiron needed now.]
Achilles, you may well do that, but please reconsider how you shall go about it here. Please. The nature of this place is not suited to brash action, and you'll put everyone at risk. Myself included.
[ He doesn't smile in return like he usually would. Instead, he's crossing his arms and withholding cues in his body language as he regards the other man carefully, gauging his expression. ]
But after we leave this place, I will confront Chiron myself.
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He stands aside so Achilles can come in.]
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Hah! I still find it strange to look upon you in this form. Have you considered asking for your legs back?
[ He'll stroll in like he owns the place, already making himself comfortable by collapsing on the bed and spreading his arms out to take up most of the room. ]
As I was walking over here, I had a thought - even if we have this talk in person, COST will probably still be listening to everything we say.
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[Oh. He should have mentioned that. Regardless, Chiron closes the door, locks it, and inches only a few feet from it.]
The Regency is also listening to everything we say, so speak carefully.
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[ The Regency, he says. That's a bit irksome, isn't it? But Achilles has never been the type to censor himself regardless of what he says.
He just wanted to save what he is about to say for the person he's been questioning so far. ]
I don't know if I trust the other Chiron. As a whole, I'm not sure if I should trust COST either.
Since Gallipoli, I've had so many questions. I feel as though I was sent away because I was asking too many, and now I feel even more soured.
That other man hasn't earned my loyalty like you have. You aren't the same person. And he's done nothing but make me question what his true intentions in this war are.
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[Well, it's stuff that if overheard, could be used against COST. Chiron doesn't say so, but there's a little flinch in the back of his head.]
How has he done that? And what questions do you have that remain?
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Questions that he himself refused to answer.
I had begged him to give me reason to trust him, and he failed to do that.
I won't be manipulated. [ Then he finally lifts his head to hold the other's stare. ] And I won't let him endanger those I care about either.
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[The question is asked with a mild tone. But Chiron knows that he stands with himself.
There is another question, of course. What is Achilles doing here if he does not have any trust in the organization? What is gained, what is owed from his point of view?]
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[ He moves to stand now, keeping his own tone and gaze even and devoid of the passion he actually feels. ]
What we talked about earlier, about whether or not a hero should remain inactive for the sake of keeping order.
That applies to all this.
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[Chiron isn't moving.]
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[ He's bowing his head, now. He lets out a laugh that's too sharp to be good-natured.
His voice is now completely different from before. His tone is low and rough, like a warning snarl. ]
What are you saying? Are you telling me you know what's really going on?
Then tell me! What cause are we truly fighting for? Is it really just?
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[In contrast, Chiron is the definition of calm. He can guess at where this might go, and if it means standing in opposition to Achilles again, he knows he can harden his heart and go through with the matter.]
I am asking if you intend to try and stop me if I ever err in your judgement.
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[ So it's not about what he'd initially suspected or feared. Still, his expression shows something like regret, as if he's prematurely experiencing it before anything has happened. ]
If you stray from your path, it would be my duty to stop you.
But I believe you would do the right thing no matter what. It wouldn't come to that.
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[There's a flicker of genuine curiosity there in Chiron's eyes.]
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Your path is just! You're a hero, too, even if you're just a teacher.
Everything you stand for and believe in has always been about doing what is right.
[ His shoulders sag in what looks almost like defeat. He turns his face, looking at nowhere in particular but ultimately avoiding Chiron's scrutinizing gaze. ]
Even during the Holy Grail War, our paths diverged, but I never thought that you'd been corrupted.
But now I'm fearful of that happening. There's so much that I don't know.
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But it also means that he's at a loss for words.]
Achilles, you have to make sense of all of this on your own terms. It's a harder fight because this is such a long game of a war, with rules of engagement far too elaborate when compared with our own codes.
And if there is corruption, remember what we are. I will pass, and the Throne of Heroes will remove that problem.
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Vulnerability, though he's not ashamed of, doesn't last as softened features in his expression fix into something more hard and composed. ]
We can't depend on the Throne to do that, can we?
Though we're Heroic Spirits, we have our own free will. We can do with that as we please.
Right now, I seek truth and I will find it even if I have to do so by force.
That's how I'll make sense of all this by my own terms.
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Then again when the fuck has Achilles ever listened to anyone? Why is Chiron actually surprised, that's the real question here. There is a weary noise that gets caught in the back of his throat. This isn't what Chiron needed now.]
Achilles, you may well do that, but please reconsider how you shall go about it here. Please. The nature of this place is not suited to brash action, and you'll put everyone at risk. Myself included.
[He's so. Fucking. Exhausted. Achilles.]
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At the very least, Chiron's uncharacteristic pleading causes him to pause. ]
... Fine.
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[He's just been stressed to the point of bursting ok no big deal.]
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But after we leave this place, I will confront Chiron myself.
I ask you not to stand in my way.
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