phone call ☎ to buffy summers

[dragonsclaw]

If I might have a moment, Miss Summers.

Comments

[slay]

You might even have several, depending on whether or not I have to preface this conversation with "it wasn't my fault" or "he started it."

[dragonsclaw]

... Is there a reason you find such a preface necessary?

[slay]

[ Pause. Loooong pause. Then, sheepishly. ]

No? [ More firmly. ] Nope. No reason.

[chessing]

[Wow, even if he hadn't rolled a million for his sense motive check, that was the worst lying anyone has ever done in the history of mankind. Good job, Buffster.]

... Not entirely reassuring.

[slay]

But it's a little reassuring? [ There's a sigh, begrudging though it is, she knows she should just ... get this over with. Because she's 90% sure he's about to fire her and she only made it like 10 days in the knighthood and now her life is over because not only did she sass Lan and embarrass him publicly but she lied and got caught and it's a mess. ] If you're gonna yell at me, just ... go for it. I deserve it.

[chessing]

Actually, I was calling to apologize for my sudden absence. Though perhaps I should find out why I should be yelling at you first.

[slay]

... Oh. [ Hello, China. ] So, this wasn't even a little because you heard about me fighting with Sir Lan-Whoever at the great feast of squiredom.

[chessing]

[l m a o] Sir Wellington?

I might have been more surprised to hear that you were both getting along well.

[slay]

Sure, that's the one. Smells really bad and likes to tell his fellow knights to get back to the kitchen? He's ... [ She has nothing to say for him. At all. ] Why is he still here, exactly?

[dragonsclaw]

You have to understand what kind of world Lan comes from. Not everyone finds it easy to adapt, and not everyone loses all memories of their world. There are some who cling to their cultural ideas of what is 'normal' because it's the last remnant that they have of what they consider their 'home'. Their identity.

However rough or crude he may seem to you, Lan means well, and he's given everything he has to this Knighthood. He served as the sect leader of the Dragon's Hide for several decades, as a matter of fact. He's a Paladin, which means his powers come from a divine source of good - if his heart weren't pure, his powers, quite simply, would not be granted to him. He'd be stripped of them.

[slay]

[ Okay, the dragon of her frustration with him is ... greatly tamed. Jack's being all calm and rational and it's a pretty good argument and at this point she's pretty convinced he could read the dictionary and make it a good argument.

But she can't leave well enough alone, so there's still a grumble. So, she's convinced that Lan's a good guy deep down. But, it's way deep down. China deep. Possibly deeper. ] His heart may be pure, but it's getting filtered through a scope that's about as dirty as he is. [ She huffs. ] What kind of leader can he be if he doesn't even respect the people he's leading? If he's really been here several decades, I think it's time to assimilate.

[chessing]

He has a great deal of respect for those who earn it from him. He holds others to a high standard of behavior, but if you've proven yourself on the field alongside him, he can be remarkably, unflaggingly loyal.

[slays]

He was being a sexist pig. What's it take for women as a whole to "earn" the same kinda basic respect he gives guys?

[chessing]

The very same. Proof of one's usefulness and dedication to the Knights.

[slays]

Not what I mean, Jack. You don't see him going up to guys and saying "wow, you sure belong in the kitchen, why are you out here?" Even if they haven't ... wowed him in the battlefield.

[dragonsclaw]

Perhaps not. But you'll find each of our Knights has their own unique perspectives, that may be difficult to reconcile with you own. It isn't just a matter of cultural distinctions between genders - other species have entirely different ways of approaching things that clash with our modern sentiments.

One of the most important lessons we learn is finding a way to work with each of them, regardless of any disagreements we might have on these matters.

[slay]

Can't I just politely request not to have to reconcile or clash or even eat dinner remotely near to his unique cultural perspective?

[dragonsclaw]

I'm afraid that runs rather ... counter to the spirit of the enterprise. [His tone is definitely sympathetic, however]

[slay]

Well maybe the spirit of the enterprise sucks. [ This is what happens when you lose your memories of Giles. You revert to ... the annoying high schooler he had to deal with. ]

[chessing]

A very eloquent means of expressing it.

[And he's just going to move on now so she doesn't just whine all day... jk] But as I said before, I'm afraid I've had to leave on a matter of some urgency, and I am not certain when I will be returning.

[slays]

Right. Leaving. Urgency. Uh -- Wait. Is this a mission? Are you on a mission?

[dragonsclaw]

A rather important mission, yes, or I would have given you more warning. In my absence, I will make arrangements for other Knights to observe you in the field, and take my reports from them. If you have any difficulties that you would have come to me for, I suggest taking your questions directly to Wynn.

[slays]

Is there -- Can I do anything? Not the training, the -- Helping. Helping you with your mission.

[chessing]

I'm afraid this particular mission is of a much too... dangerous and sensitive nature for me to feel comfortable bringing you along. Particularly when you haven't even had an opportunity for any field time as of yet. I certainly appreciate the offer, however.

[slays]

... You think I'd slow you down or get in the way. [ She sighs. She doesn't blame him. He could. And realizing that stops her from indignantly pushing it, knowing that she doesn't care how trainingless she is or how dangerous it'd be for her if she could help. So, it works out for the best. ] Who am I training with while you're gone? O-Or do you not know yet.