Murphy's Law Strikes Again

[ice_and_steel]

[On the Plains of Spite, there is plenty of room to pit yourself against whatever is chasing you down. Celes has been doing this for nearly an hour, sending herself on sprint drills followed by sets of push-ups as close to the lake as she can manage without (probably) having to draw her sword. She finishes a sprint and pauses to heal the ankle she just strained.]

[A shadow falls over her and she looks up warily, to see something alarmingly like a tentacle hovering over her.]

"Fuck."

[She draws her sword]

Comments

[onlyhonournow]

[funnily enough, reacts just as awkwardly to kindness.]

I'm... Your comrades remained with you, regardless. That must mean something.

[ice_and_steel]

[slight snorting sound]

They kept me because I'm good in a fight and could provide intel on their enemy. None of them trusted me. There's a difference between a useful tool and a trusted friend. Or even an acquaintance.

[onlyhonournow]

[... snapping his head back to look at her with an expression like she just hit something a little too close to home, and turns away again]

I suppose there's that.

[ice_and_steel]

[You're really fucking terrible at this, you know that, Chere? This whole talking to people thing.]

I'm sorry--I didn't mean to, um, upset you.

[onlyhonournow]

[laughing slightly, genuine, and looking back at her with a smile]

No. You didn't, really.

But I think that giving someone a chance works both ways.

[ice_and_steel]

Both ways? How so?

[onlyhonournow]

... If you distrust someone, then it's only fair of them to distrust you.

[ice_and_steel]

But then when people have no reason to trust each other, how do you build that possibility?

[mutters] Though one would think saving someone's life would count for something.

[onlyhonournow]

... I'm not sure. I'm sorry.

[after some consideration, bumps his pinky finger lightly against her hand] You can't change how anyone else feels. Only how you feel.

[ice_and_steel]

[pats his hand awkwardly]

I suppose that's true.

Have you been able to do that?

[onlyhonournow]

... I don't know. I try.

[ice_and_steel]

[almost inaudibly] From what I can see you have behaved honourably and generously so far.

[onlyhonournow]

[good thing he has super robot hearing. too bad he has no idea how to react to a direct compliment.]

...

[onlyhonournow]

[after a very long, awkward pause]

... I wouldn't want to act any other way.

[ice_and_steel]

Nor would I.

[another long, awkward pause]

I would like to learn to behave with honour in this way also.

[onlyhonournow]

[CLUELESS. AS. FUCK.]

... I'm sure Wing would be happy to help. I think he makes a habit out of it.

[ice_and_steel]

[okay no really basic personal interaction needs to be part of basic training.]

Oh. That--would be fine. But I actually meant you.

[finds the pommel of her sword to be intensely interesting]

[onlyhonournow]

[it's possible we just need to go to a support group at this point.]

...

[staring at her in disbelief for a second or so, completely dumbfounded]

[onlyhonournow]

[makes a face like he just realises how slow he's been being, and bows his head as he talks]

... I don't know if I'd be of any use to you, but I'd be more than glad for your company on a journey like this.

[ice_and_steel]

I don't know how much use a genetically engineered soldier who's never lived outside the army structure is to anyone, so that makes us even.

However, I am told that figuring these things out with someone else is preferable to going it alone.

[Things she never thought she'd do: take Locke's lessons to heart.]

[onlyhonournow]

[mentally rummaging around for a suitable response, and then with a chuckle, holding out his hand, palm up to her:]

I'd be honoured.

[ice_and_steel]

[puts her hand over his, where it is absurdly tiny-looking]

As would I.