deontology | IC » Character Inbox

[He feels like honestly?

He shouldn't even remotely be surprised by this.]

Arc.

[Sousei just crosses his arms, quirking an eyebrow.]

Yes?

Yeah, it's just not the same anymore...

[ After a moment, Jaune simply lowers his weapons and looks at his feet. ]

When did you come back?

Sometime amidst the Flamines struggle.

[Straight and to the point as ever.]

As for you-- [...] --you seem different. You've changed.

Have I? [ Physically, it's true, he's slightly taller and in need of a haircut. There's also the armor upgrade and a familiar-looking red sash around his waist, but Jaune has a feeling that Sousei isn't observing the obvious changes.

Jaune thinks for a moment, realizing that the man is probably right. A year ago Jaune would have jumped out in a ridiculous costume or pestered Sousei about the fact that he hasn't even called Jaune since coming back. Now? It's goodbye to things we loved and the innocence of youth! ]

I guess a lot has happened. [ Both here and home. Still, Jaune can't stay cool and aloof for too long and breaks into a smile. At least that hasn't changed much. ]

...Wanna drink?

[ Okay, calm down, you're not that grown up!! ]

[... okay yeah, some things apparently never change. Sousei snorts at that, shaking his head.]

I will not be the one responsible for allowing you access to alcohol. [Nope.]

As for what has happened... [He hasn't heard directly from Pyrrha, but her reactions to his guesses had been pretty telling, and Jaune...

Well.

Jaune has always been close to Pyrrha, right?]

As for you... are you satisfied with this outcome?

[ Jaune breathes a sigh of relief because he definitely does not like the taste of alcohol. Bullet dodged!! ]

I mean... it could always be worse. MUCH worse. [ Spoken like someone who had lived with grief. ] But... I dunno, I guess I'm torn.

[Well... Jaune isn't wrong.

It's always confusing and difficult when someone is taken from you and then given right back, but--]

Will you be staying with her?

[Isn't that really...the heart of the matter here?]

Well, I-- my heart says yes, but... there's unfinished business back home. Pyrrha, she... thinks I'm better off home, and maybe she's right, I mean, I'll just get in the way here, right? She's moved on to become some kinda goddess and I'm just some loser from nowhere--

[ Suddenly, Jaune's eyes widen as he stops talking, then he drags his hand over his face. ]

...
Ugh, I'm such an idiot.

[ He did it, he did the one thing that Pyrrha trusted him to never do. He put her on a pedestal, one that she'll likely never come down from, and made her feel alone and unattainable. And she is alone here, which is "are you staying" should have never been a difficult question at all. Yet somehow, forcing Jaune to articulate it has actually made him see things clearer; thanks Captain. ]

[Granted, Sousei doesn't know the entire context behind putting Pyrrha up on a pedestal, and all of their history together--but he doesn't have to, it seems, because Jaune figured it out on his own.

As it should be.

He tilts his head slightly.]

It looks as though you've come to a proper conclusion all on your own, then.

[Probably the right one, too, from the looks of things.]

Y-Yeah, I... I think so. I mean, partly thanks to you. Nobody had even asked me what I wanna do. [ Wait, that sounds kind of pathetic. ]

...Quick question, though, if it were Tenka in Pyrrha's place... well, would you stay? [ After all, they are partners, too, aren't they?

...
Then again, not quite like Jaune and Pyrrha. ]

[... What kind of question is that.

Sousei slowly arches and eyebrow, and then in the most ice cold of fashions:]

No, I would not.

[jfc sousei]

Regardless, my situation with Tenka is far different from yours with Pyrrha.

Y-Yeah, no kidding...

[ He's glad that Sousei clarified that bit in the end, or else he'd begin to second-guess his own decision again. Then again, maybe he should stop thinking about WWSD (the S being Sousei) every time something comes up!! ]

Hm. You know, I... have a feeling that this is goodbye.

[ Sure, they have a few more days left, but... there's no delaying the inevitable, right? In some ways, Jaune wants to let go of Sousei on his own terms, after all this time of clamoring for the man's attention and approval. ]

[Honestly... Jaune's not wrong, and despite himself, Sousei's expression softens. This ridiculous kid who was always clamoring for his praise--in the end, he went and grew up and didn't need it at all, really.

And there's something very worthwhile in seeing that.

Sousei straightens further, and nods.]

It is. I do not intend to return here after I have left. There is much to be done in my own world. [Like more treason!!! Sousei's good at that.]

And I believe your choice is clear.

[Something else that's impressive--Jaune's grown a lot, hasn't he?

At this point, Sousei thinks praise from him would be rather superfluous and undermining. Jaune didn't need his praise before to grow into the person he is now, and he certainly doesn't need it now that he's accomplished it all on his own. So instead... he salutes, a simple and calm gesture from one equal to another.]

And therefore, this is goodbye, Jaune.

[ First name basis??? HOLY CRAP--

Though, Jaune awkwardly reaches his hand out just as Sousei goes for a salute, thinking this was going to be a handshake. ]

--o-oh, wow, we're... y-yeah, salute. [ He quickly adjusts himself to return the salute. ]

...

[ Well, here they are, greeting each other as equals. Cerealia certainly has had a way of making Jaune's wildest dreams come true. It may be a small gesture from Sousei, but it's one that Jaune is never going to forget.

He also wonders if this parting will be just as memorable for his peer. ]

[ Then suddenly, mid-salute, Jaune lunges forward and grabs Sousei in a big old bearhug. Being a freakishly tall teen, he even lifts Sousei off his feet. ]

Alright-- this is happening. [ Don't fight it, man! He knows Sousei is totally going to hate this, but he's also never going to forget it... as much as he'll want to!! ] Theeere we go... just two macho guys hugging it out - totally normal.

[Oh god dammit Jaune.

Right off of his feet, too--Sousei makes a face despite himself, because no, he's really not enjoying this at all--

But he doesn't squirm and he doesn't try to pull away, until Jaune seems properly done, and then he steps back and brushes himself off.

A-ahem.]

Are you finished?

[Sousei, just accept the affection.]

Yeah, okay, I can see how that was weird. Well, Abe, it's been an experience!

[ But he got it out of his system, so no regrets!! Jaune scurries past Sousei, as he really does appear to be finished, but he stops one last time without turning around to face him. ]

Good luck with things back home, yeah? And-- ......thanks... for everything. [ Not just from him, but on behalf of Pyrrha as well. ]

[... Cute.

Despite himself, Sousei's lips twitch into a smile at that, though he simply lifts a hand to wave, though he knows Jaune isn't looking.

It's fine.

They were able to say what needed to be said, and now it's their lot in life to part. But Sousei knows that Jaune will look after Pyrrha, and Pyrrha will look after Jaune.

And maybe Jaune will be able to be the proper hero and champion of this world, just as he'd dreamed of being for another.

That's enough for him; Sousei has a home of his own to save, and that's exactly what he's going to do.]

IC » Character Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject