agogelogs | [closed]...And the spiders from Mars

WHO? Chiron and Siegfried
WHAT? Pretty much every intense conversation they've been meaning to have for the past month plus
WHEN? Immediately after bragging party at House Khah
ANYTHING ELSE?

Returning to COST's current residences after an extremely long (far too long) evening at the Khah house wasn't as relieving as it ought to have been for Chiron. There were still prying ears and keen eyes making notes about COST agents, and that meant that there was no true opportunity for rest. No way to know that the front that this place required could be shrugged off and replaced with something more casual, something that could at least let out some of the demands of being constantly on one's toes.

If he thought critically, reflecting on his own words and what he both heard and saw from others, the entire thing had at least been successful from a mission perspective. Those were not laurels to rest on, but they were little indicators that things were on course for the time being.

Still. There had been a few things that Chiron noticed that struck him as out of place - not with any members of the Khah themselves, but in his fellow operatives. Namely Siegfried.

Chiron hadn't overheard much, but he had noticed that Siegfried's demeanor was different. It wasn't just the projected aggression required for the event, there was a deeper change, something that had him worried.

It was for that reason that he lingered in the courtyard of the residences, awaiting his friend's return. Chiron was sure that he hadn't gotten there after Siegfried.

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"You've never asked," Chiron says simply. He doesn't need Siegfried to complete the question. And rather than say more, he holds up three fingers, making it clear how many children he had in his other life. Or that other Chiron had. Either way, at least Siegfried knows about circumstances now.

"And while it may well be due to your sigil, I doubt it's the only factor." The spiderarchy made so much of being magic, so much of status, that it was doubtlessly one aspect of many for poor Siegfried. Chiron did not envy him any of the trials he was enduring.

To return to gods, Chiron lets out low hn. "Bear in mind that some deities are with us, and...that makes this potential fate worrisome from that end of things too."

Allies slayed and mined like this. Ugh.

The reply actually gets a smile out of Siegfried, huffing out a bit of a chuckle. "I haven't, you're correct." But he goes quiet upon viewing the fingers help up for him to see, and he nods, understanding. So his other self had a family and children, a difference between the two timelines. Somehow, it doesn't surprise him.

Though Chiron has a point, and Siegfried hums a little in response. "More than likely not, no. As much as I can hope it simply is just one thing..." He doesn't finish. He doesn't need to. Even in his life, living as a prince was something he chose to push aside in favor of being a knight and helping those immediately. But here, the courts are everything, and he has to remember the proper etiquette in order to survive. It's almost as if everything has been switched, and he isn't exactly fond of it.

Still, he pauses about having gods with them in COST, and instead his mouth firms into a thin line. "Of course. And to see them fall to this-" Being used for a single purpose, far outside whatever they would have wanted... a chill runs down his spine. He hates this.

"The number is consistent between us. Names too," he says. "But there is a more important detail, and he holds up a single finger, combined with a very weary look. "With the Regency and our gods who have chosen them as well."

He wouldn't say who, but Siegfried had the right to know that. He ought to, given how long Chiron had sat on this information. It felt strange to finally share it, but...all of this had built up over the months. Sharing it had to be done.

"It isn't. And you looked as if you were another man entirely back there." Perhaps it's a wrong observation. Perhaps it isn't. But the statement might well prod Siegfried into talking more than he has about his own experience and frusterations. It clearly is something he has to get off his chest.

"I know." Chiron hates everything about this. "And if we fail in this mission, then we have to potentially turn another god into this....this resource." He can't process it. He doesn't want to.

Siegfried watches very closely at that, eyes narrowing as Chiron explains. When he leaves the vagueness in the air, Siegfried can't help but inhale sharply at the thought. He knows gods have joined the Regency- some of those of Das Ring de Nibelungen, of the Volsung saga- the other Chiron had mentioned this easily. But to have his friend mention this so late means it is of grave importance, and he will not simply bypass it as another statement.

"You already know of the ones in similar stories for me." It is an admittance he does not want to think about- but one he will, if he must. There are so many things here he must keep track of, it makes his head spin trying to focus on it all.

But the mentioning of his own appearance at the party has Siegfried sighing, clearly frustrated. "I was. Being here- I've always acted out of kindness, Chiron. You know this. To be told I cannot, and worst of all, being preyed upon until I do not... it weighs heavily on me." A snort, and his mouth twists in irritation, trying to word himself. "I'm not comfortable acting this way- but the more it is demanded of me, the harder it is to find reprieve in which I can be myself, as I am here."

"We won't." Perhaps it's foolish of him to say it so soon, perhaps it isn't. He's not trying to get ahead of himself- only trying to convince himself that they are here for a purpose, and that once that purpose is done, they can leave. He does not want to think about what will happen if they fail.

Chiron, when he learned that one of his other self's children had sided with the Regency, could only imagine the hurt. It felt wrong to share it on a certain level, after al it was a his child, not the one that was his, but so much of the family element here had sat heavy in his heart. It was one thing to accept fighting in the Grail War against students, or even fighting against his own gods here. But family was harder to have that attitude towards.

"I do. As does Thor. He and I spoke about the matter since..." since Ymir is his. And while Thor is no Heroic Spirit, he's probably one of the few others who understands why this matter is so distressing.

As Siegfried explains his own frustrations, there is a softer noise from Chiron. It is understanding, but it also expresses concern. Like going on in this way for too much longer might force them all to stay in this aggressive mode forever. "Then let this be as close to sacntuary for you as will be afforded on this mission. If only to ensure that you remain yourself. For it to be otherwise would be a great loss."

Chiron wants to believe Siegfried about the matter of mining gods. He does because the alternative is disgusting on every level. "Then we need to find a better way to succeed."

Family has always been difficult to fight or struggle against. Siegfried knows that while his mother and father will never be taken by the Throne, his wife is another story. And if there ever comes a time where they both cross paths, he doesn't know what he'll do. In that sense, he understands Chiron completely.

"I can only imagine he took it as well as we have." Thor, son of Odin and resident of Asgard, watching Ymir be harvested like a thing rather than what the god once was. "I haven't met him as of yet, but I'm sure that will change easily enough." After all, from what he knows of the legends, Thor really isn't hard to locate. Most of the time, the crowd finds him first.

Still, something soft flickers across Siegfried's face before easing into a more relaxed and familiar look. He's tired, and it shows. But the encouragement given to him is appreciated, even though he seems almost redundant in speaking. "My thanks." There is an exhale at that, and even if this time in Chiron's quarters is short, it gives Siegfried enough time to be himself, without the worry of potentially dying.

He nods. He refuses to let it come to that. "And we will. We just need to find an opening."

"He'd...he'd get along with Astolfo as if they were well worn battle companions. They share much of the same personality." They'd be a formidable combination in battle as well, but perhaps that goes without saying. For Chiron's money, the companionship that would form would be a far greatert thing.

He did wonder what Rider would make of this entire thing, in truth, but nostaglia for teammates was hardly something he could allow for at the moment. "At any rate, I hope you cross paths soon. For all the somberness of what's going on, he's remarkably easy to talk to. And it's nice having...well. Someone else with age and an understanding of gods."

No one that needed explaining or even just a hint of understanding. He knew, because he was one.

More than that, the tiredness on Siegfried's face, along with the fact he's willing to show it, gives Chiron a feeling of solidarity that he's glad to know exists. Voicing any complaints or just venting in general about his mission has felt wrong on every level but. Ah, well. It's Siegfried. They're friends. They can do this.

"That's what friendship is for, you know. As for openings," Chiron's voice drifts.

"I'd like to find one sooner rather than later."

[closed]...And the spiders from Mars

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