[Thinking with a hand against his chin as he carefully deliberates... and then:]
I will tell you about one of my most favored students.
I raised him from infancy at his father's plea. You see, his mother was an immortal who had lain with a human man, and in her concern, tried to make her newborn son an immortal as well. So she dipped him by the foot into magic flames.
The magic took hold -- he was immortal everywhere the flames had touched him, except for the one heel his mother held him by. The father, realizing what had happened, ordered that his son be allowed to retain some of his humanity.
That is the condition he came to me in. I was asked to train him into a warrior -- a hero of Greece -- someone worthy of his half-immortality. And indeed, I know he made a name for himself through Greek Mythology.
[... A brief smile, quiet and soft]
But to me he was a rambunctious child, one who hated to sit still and begged me to let him hunt in the dark. There was one night he slipped outside thinking I hadn't noticed, and got into a fight with some wolves. Immortal or no, he was still a child who would have had trouble defending himself, so of course I ran to his aid and fought away the wolves. It was one of the few times I was ever truly angry at him.
[Shaking his head now, I am so sorry he's so longwinded]
I don't know why his reaction surprised me; he was so young... But I remember him being so upset for having disappointed me that he spent the entire night crying and clinging to my leg.
[ aw, baby stories. and a murder-baby! the magic stuff definitely loses clem a little bit, like she can't tell if some of it is metaphor or really understand how it works, but the core of the story is nice. familiar, in a way.
I know how that feels. I... Guess that means it's my turn.
[ she takes in a deep breath, then exhales. ]
After I got separated from - the only person left from the group I started with... I met up with a new group. One of them was a pregnant woman, and - well, that group fell apart, too. In the end, it was just me and the baby, AJ.
We managed on our own for a while, but eventually we found a group called the New Frontier who took us in. Only - AJ got sick, and they didn't want to risk 'wasting' the medicine on him. They didn't think he would make it. So I stole the medicine for him. And for that, they kicked me out... And kept AJ.
I thought he was dead for a long time. But then I found out he wasn't - and I found people who knew where he was. So...
[ hm, she seems to realize this is getting too long? or maybe she just doesn't want to delve into the next part in much detail, because she finishes with a kind of hasty: ]
I - hope so. I haven't really believed in the idea for so long.
But we did find this boarding school. Bunch of other kids. Makes me feel like maybe we can finally... Just stop. And rest. And he could just grow up and get to be a kid.
[he's quiet for a few moments on his end, thinking... He doesn't know enough about her world to offer guidance, is the problem, and asking questions seems rather evasive after a certain point.
But he will eventually, because -- yes, maybe admitting that his son is dead hurts a little, but he has had time to process that already. Many, many years]
I know there is not much I can do the help you, but please, if there are any skills you think he should know, that you might want help learning, I will do my best to assist.
-- Ah, and before I forget: your bow is done, too.
I can't think of anything right now, but... I'll keep it in mind. You've already done a lot for me.
[ she hasn't gotten to talk about AJ that much, she made sure she's following the rules of this place, he's made her a bow... on top of all that, his offer seems above and beyond. ]
And I owe you one. So if you need anything from me, let me know.
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My, you do not waste time, do you?
Though I'm not against it.
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You're fine with it, so it's no problem.
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Will this be a trade, or one-sided? I am not partial to either option.
[She's calling the shots.]
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[Thinking with a hand against his chin as he carefully deliberates... and then:]
I will tell you about one of my most favored students.
I raised him from infancy at his father's plea. You see, his mother was an immortal who had lain with a human man, and in her concern, tried to make her newborn son an immortal as well. So she dipped him by the foot into magic flames.
The magic took hold -- he was immortal everywhere the flames had touched him, except for the one heel his mother held him by. The father, realizing what had happened, ordered that his son be allowed to retain some of his humanity.
That is the condition he came to me in. I was asked to train him into a warrior -- a hero of Greece -- someone worthy of his half-immortality. And indeed, I know he made a name for himself through Greek Mythology.
[... A brief smile, quiet and soft]
But to me he was a rambunctious child, one who hated to sit still and begged me to let him hunt in the dark. There was one night he slipped outside thinking I hadn't noticed, and got into a fight with some wolves. Immortal or no, he was still a child who would have had trouble defending himself, so of course I ran to his aid and fought away the wolves. It was one of the few times I was ever truly angry at him.
[Shaking his head now, I am so sorry he's so longwinded]
I don't know why his reaction surprised me; he was so young... But I remember him being so upset for having disappointed me that he spent the entire night crying and clinging to my leg.
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she smiles softly. ]
He sounds cute.
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[The type of child everyone was always fawning over]
I might not have been his actual parent, but I still had to chase off anyone who would have happily adopted him if I wasn't looking.
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[ she takes in a deep breath, then exhales. ]
After I got separated from - the only person left from the group I started with... I met up with a new group. One of them was a pregnant woman, and - well, that group fell apart, too. In the end, it was just me and the baby, AJ.
We managed on our own for a while, but eventually we found a group called the New Frontier who took us in. Only - AJ got sick, and they didn't want to risk 'wasting' the medicine on him. They didn't think he would make it. So I stole the medicine for him. And for that, they kicked me out... And kept AJ.
I thought he was dead for a long time. But then I found out he wasn't - and I found people who knew where he was. So...
[ hm, she seems to realize this is getting too long? or maybe she just doesn't want to delve into the next part in much detail, because she finishes with a kind of hasty: ]
... So I went and got him back.
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Do you consider yourself a parent, then?
[Because that's what it sounds like she is, to him, even at such a young age.]
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[ ... ]
I just want to go home. I just want to find a home for him. Somewhere safe.
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But we did find this boarding school. Bunch of other kids. Makes me feel like maybe we can finally... Just stop. And rest. And he could just grow up and get to be a kid.
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Children are the future, after all. If they have gathered somewhere, then yes, I do think there is hope for you and your son.
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but she still appreciates it, and smiles to herself at the idea. ]
... Do you ever get to see your kid?
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No.
He is dead.
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Sorry.
... That's what scares me the most.
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[That is truly a parent's fear, and even if he hadn't considered her to be a mother already, well... he certainly does now]
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But the things I have to teach him... Who he has to learn to be... It's like he's barely a kid at all.
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[Oh.]
Yes... I understand your concerns, then.
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[ she doesn't know what else to say. and she feels bad talking about him when she just heard that his son has already passed. ]
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But he will eventually, because -- yes, maybe admitting that his son is dead hurts a little, but he has had time to process that already. Many, many years]
I know there is not much I can do the help you, but please, if there are any skills you think he should know, that you might want help learning, I will do my best to assist.
-- Ah, and before I forget: your bow is done, too.
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I can't think of anything right now, but... I'll keep it in mind. You've already done a lot for me.
[ she hasn't gotten to talk about AJ that much, she made sure she's following the rules of this place, he's made her a bow... on top of all that, his offer seems above and beyond. ]
And I owe you one. So if you need anything from me, let me know.