🗱 Sara/Barnham

[alcobrawlic]

[ For all levels of shenanigans, there will probably be a picture here at some point CUT ME SOME SLACK IT'S LATE ]

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[moraled]

[That's fair, Sara.... he can't imagine how boring that must have been.

She steps close and he...makes a bolder move, reaching up to snag her waist and tug her a little closer? Oh. Fine.]

There are a few things I would like to ask you, if you are not opposed.

[alcobrawlic]

[ Oh. This is definitely fine, and she'll let him tug her closer, resting a hand on his shoulder to brace herself. ]

I'm not opposed to hearing you out, you know that. [ Or, well. Any of this. ]

Go on?

[moraled]

[Sara will be Sara, after all--and Barnham finds that he feels the need to be more touchy feely than he usually would be, if only because then he knows she's real, and warm, and alive.

It's a Thing.]

I wished to ask you more about your world, and the role of a Bracer. If I am to make it my home as well, I feel I should be more well-versed in it.

[alcobrawlic]

[ It's a Thing, but Sara's already figured he needs actual reassurance when he was the one who felt the life fade from her in the first place. It's why she steps closer and sinks into the seat beside him, leaning in enough so their shoulders touch-- or at least that there's some physical contact. ]

All right. Where I live now is called Erebonia, an empire led by Eugent Reise Arnor the Third, and it's largely a military nation. Thors, where I taught, is a military academy, after all. It's still currently recovering from a Civil War between the Noble Alliance, which as you can guess is largely composed of nobles who wanted to drag things back to the old ways where they ran everything, and the Reformist Faction, which had progressives who wanted to completely abolish the class system. During that time, the Noble Alliance took over Thors in an attempt to gain the cooperation of those whose family members attended. I escaped, along with my class and a lot of other students, but we were separated.

It's a long story, but once I ran into them again, I joined in on freeing some hostages and taking down some corrupt nobles and rescuing one of the princes-- we didn't want to side with either group, we just wanted to minimize casualties and protect the people we cared about.

[ She holds up a finger now. ]

And being a neutral force is exactly what a Bracer is. They're investigative and combat specialists who travel around the country protecting citizens and doing what they can to help keep the peace, without actively interfering in war between nations unless absolutely necessary. The senior bracers are ranked G through A, and increase that rank by the requests they accept and fulfill-- which could be anything from monster extermination or bringing back items in a monster-infested area to escorts and dealing with criminals.

[moraled]

[That's more than acceptable to him; he brushes shoulders with her, settling.

It's a lot to take in, but he appreciates the business-like manner of the report; he's quiet for a moment, processing that, before he nods.]

That does not sound all too different from my current duties.

[Sounds doable.]

As for your class...what is the situation with them now?

[alcobrawlic]

... [ There's a very small sigh; for a minute, Sara looks almost wistful. ]

Class VII is disbanding. Because of what they've had a chance to experience for themselves, they're already heading out to mark their places in the world.

[moraled]

I see... then they have graduated from your class, have they?

[He can imagine how bittersweet that is.]

Interesting... so your teaching career is over?

[alcobrawlic]

Yeah... they did a great job, and since my job is done, I can go back to being a bracer.

[ Ultimately for the best. ]

[moraled]

[mostly likely:]

And also keep an eye on your students, I presume, with this newfound freedom of yours.

[alcobrawlic]

You say that like I'll have the time! [ with a laugh, she just shakes her head. ]

If I run into them at all, I'll consider myself lucky.

[moraled]

....As you say. [Sure, Sara.

He's sure they'll run into some of her kids over the course of their work.]

Regardless, I suppose we shall have our hands full.

[alcobrawlic]

Not starting to get cold feet, are you, Former Inquisitor? [ a light nudge-- ]

[moraled]

Not at all. Rather... I believe it would be more correct to say that the thought is exciting.

[He likes having things to do and tasks to resolve and people to protect.]

[alcobrawlic]

... That's right, you like keeping busy, huh? You might as well catch up on your rest while you still can.

[ Maybe she's still a little concerned. ]

[moraled]

[He's not going to deny that either, don't worry.]

It does not seem there's much else to do here, but... I certainly shall not take it for granted.

[He was exhausted after that whole mess, and he's still a little mentally tired.]

[alcobrawlic]

I didn't think you would. There's no reason to be stubborn at this point, anyway.

[ And boy is she glad that he's behaving himself on that front. Then again, Barnham's been through his own version of hell-- she can only imagine how bone-deep his tiredness really runs. ]

[moraled]

... No, there isn't.

[Look, he knows... he's been stubborn enough for a lifetime.

Besides.

When he has Sara to cozy up with, it's hard to think of reasons to not want to be in bed.]

I assure you, I have no intentions of causing you any more trouble or concern.

[alcobrawlic]

You never really caused me any trouble... as for the concern part, well--!

[ someone sure sounds chipper. ]

I think you're smart enough to find ways to make it up to me.

[moraled]

[.... .... ..............]

Ah.

Right.

[wait no he kind of needs a hint here]

[alcobrawlic]

[ ... ]

Ooooor you might not figure it out.

[ Not without help, anyway. He sure looks blank. ]

[moraled]

[Look, it's not his fault this is pretty new to him still.]

... What is it you would like as a means of making it up to you?

[alcobrawlic]

...

I should have known I'd actually have to spell it out, but-- [ She's just leaning in now, until their noses are touching, and then she lowers her voice. ]

Girls like attention, Zach. They like feeling that they're the center of someone's world, even if it's just for a little while.

[moraled]

[... Oh.

Oh???

Oh. It all clicks at that very easily, and he clears his throat.

A-ahem.]

I... I see.

Then... yes, I believe I shall be able to make this up to you.

[alcobrawlic]

Hopefully without overheating! [ But Sara shoots him a grin and leans back, to be merciful (for now). ]

We'll have to work on your confidence level, too. You "believe", huh?

[moraled]

[...Sara....]

I am not so arrogant as to assume I shall immediately be able to completely and totally please you in every form.

[Sara pls!!]

That, I assume, is something that shall take time. However... I am certainly willing to learn.