[closed] Not a letdown

[saikusu]

Who: Saïx, Leo and Sora
What: A talk and sparring
When: 5/1 and 5/4
Where: Odin's temple and grounds
Warnings: none

Comments

[brynwieldr]

Leo led Saix to the library, where he could usually be found and where he frankly preferred to have any conversation, even over the BBS. It just felt more private.

Also, the really comfortable sofa was in the library, which Leo sat down once they arrived. "You've been acting oddly since the fight with Axel. What's bothering you?"

[saikusu]

He sat down on the other end of the sofa, crossed his legs and rested his hands on his knee.

"I let you down. I know you said I did not, however, I put you in danger and got myself horribly injured thanks to my lack of experience and failure to think strategically. If I hadn't been between you and Axel..." Saïx trailed off, having done his best this far not to think in detail about all the bad things that could have happened, he wasn't going to change that now.

[brynwieldr]

He figured it was something like this. Why did no one ever take him at his word in this world? Leo shook his head.

"If I say you didn't let me down, you didn't let me down. We didn't know what we were dealing with when we faced Axel--I thought it was a normal, if freakishly large ayakashi. Our injuries were just as much my fault as yours, perhaps moreso mine. I have experience with ayakashi that you don't, and yet I underestimated Axel." He sighed a little, though not out of annoyance. "The only person who feels you failed is you, Saix."

[saikusu]

"I see." He looked down at his hands as he mulled over Leo's words. He did feel reassured by the comments. Not just in his own performance, but in how difficult and abnormal Axel was as ayakashi go.

"Regardless, I want to be better prepared for the next fight. I've contacted Sora and he's quite enthusiastic about sparring once he's physically up for it."

[brynwieldr]

"...saying Sora is 'quite enthusiastic' about anything is being redundant, you know." He did like his god-son, but he wasn't going to lie. "Sparring might be good, though, I haven't had a chance to determine the best way to use your abilities in battle after all."

[saikusu]

"There were so many exclamation points in his text messages, that I almost wondered if he even knew what a period was." Saïx shook his head.

"That's the goal. That and avoiding a repeat of the fight against Axel. My wounds may have healed, but the scars are still there." Both physically and mentally, however, he only acknowledges the physical ones by reaching across his belly to touch his side where the worst injuries were sustained.

[brynwieldr]

"Since you're an intelligent weapon and not a sword, I'll likely just stand by and watch so I can learn what you do naturally, if you don't mind." Sora might, but Leo knew what he was doing.

[saikusu]

"I don't mind at all." Although, he wasn't quite used to being referred to as a weapon, even if he knew that was exactly what he was when in his vessel form. So he minded that part just a little. Not enough to draw attention to it or let it affect him beyond the moment in which it was said.

[brynwieldr]

A shinki was a weapon. Leo didn't consider Saix only a weapon, but really, what else was he going to call a giant wolf thing? "Pet" just sounded like something Niles would say.

"Good. You can spar here, since I believe Sora's temple is a beach, and no one wants to fight on sand."

[saikusu]

"That's probably for the best. I'll let him know when he gets back to me."

He went silent for a moment before asking, "Was there anything else you wished to discuss?"

[brynwieldr]

Leo shook his head. "That was it, really. I honestly don't think of the fight with Axel as a failure, and you did not let me down, I promise."

[saikusu]

"Thank you. I appreciate your honesty with me." He stood up and headed to the door. "I should go get ready for work."