Different Worlds, Same Patterns [Day 0]

[Kannon]

Xanthe kept her cool, a subtle gesture for Emcas to follow suit.

"I presume my father has already departed then."

Pankratos nodded.

"He is a man of duty more than a man of celebration, is he not."

The athlete's voice possessed a penetrating resonance, as if it remained in one's mind quite after the words had been spoken. Strikingly, without loosing the appeal of being coversational.

"He is a man of right decisions, first and foremost. Empty bluster is not to his taste."

To that, Pankratos smiled.

"Empty bluster is like an empty pot, Lady Xanthe. It can be filled later with many a content."

He looked at Emcas then.

"And here is a man of a martial appetite. Emcas, is it not. How empty or rich is what his disposition toward me promises, I wonder."

[Emcas]

''That is indeed my name'' the guard replied, with a straight tone and without the Pankratos's flourish.

''I do not know you beyond your martial and athletic skills so these are the only things I can ponder. If you ask what I think of you then I must say that your skills are formidable and, unlike what some might say, not the simple product of easy talent but rather the relentless and dedicated pursuit of the mastery of the form and that is to be respected.''

[Kannon]

Pankratos seemed glad with the response.

"What an astute observation, I must have been watched or talked about." He glanced at Xanthe as if he had successfully guessed her thoughts. "As Lady Xanthe entrusts her safety to you, your respect must amount to something, so I am thankful. Don't be cowed by it, however. Only by challenging what you respect can you ever hope to become a more consequential version of yourself."

He shifted his weight.

"Or am I gauche by encouraging your slave, Lady Xanthe?"

Xanthe's big eyes narrowed slightly, and she pressed her lips together, something she should not be doing as the lip was betraying her almost immediately. She had the words, but perhaps not the body language.

"Coyness doesn't become you, Pankratos. You have just attended the ceremony that was a manifestation of our family's respect for and endorsement of the agency of ambitious and talented slaves."

"I stand corrected then. I suppose you must be nurturing Emcas to claim something normally out of reach for someone of his position."

Emcas could not dismiss the feeling that they were being read, and played. Pakratos' awareness of inflection points in their discussion seemed almost preternatural. In the second Xanthe failed to respond outright, he noticed a small smile claiming his lips. And yet that wasn't a predator's smile. Tutor's? Arbiter's?

[Emcas]

''You used many words but clear your intent, Pankratos: are you issuing me challenge?'' he replied, quirking an eyebrow ''Lest you encourage me to question the respect I have for hard work the only thing I can decipher from your direct words is to challenge you, the one who followed the path I respect''

Emcas's face was stone and while he understood to some level the tune Pankratos tried to hold he did not care to play it: No matter how agile the flute is, the drums still set the beat.

''Or rather are you inviting me to train with you and teach me?''

[Kannon]

"Why would I do any of these things right now. It's neither the moment nor the setting to commit to anything irreversible, as lady Xanthe would likely agree. If anything, I have sized you up. Your instinct to push the matter to the knife's edge so quickly is quite telling."

Xanthe narrowed her eyes after she had quickly recollected. It was indeed time to apply a cut, though perhaps a one of fiat.

"What I would agree with is this conversation has ventured into areas that can no longer be considered polite exchange, Pankratos. Do not overstep."

"Of course, your ladyship. Apologies. My bad."

"You have places to be, do you not?"

He bowed his head without inner resistance.

"Indeed. Safe passage to you and your bodyguard."

[Emcas]

Emcas...

...smiled...

Amused

He sais no further words, however.

[Kannon]

After they had parted ways with Pankratos, it took some time for Xanthe to say anything. In the end, she sighed quietly, avoiding theatrics.

"I suppose we need to go to the thopter bay. My father would be in Xenion by now."

[Emcas]

Emcas gave a nod and replied

''Yes, Lady Xanthe''

Before going silent for a second

''That went well''

[Kannon]

"Did it, Emcas?" If it was irony, it didn't connect.

[Emcas]

''Of course Lady Xanthe'' confusion lined Emcas's face before he guessed they might had come to different conclusions.

''I sized him better then he sized me...it's like rock, paper and scissors. My lady is paper, I gambled that he was scissors so I needed to be rock. I did so and we threw him off his edge.''

[Kannon]

She nodded tentatively, not giving any further indication of doubt.

"And what did you learn from the encounter?"

[Emcas]

''He has an ease with words I cannot match and his voice has a quality I cannot be at ease with: social engagement is as risky as would be a physical one. However we can defend ourselves by being mindful but above all by being dull.''

He frowned, his instinct told him he was right but it was hard to presume

''While I do not wish to assume and lead her ladyship astray...I think he has become used to easy victories and as grown vain...too comfortable in his ways. He was quick to assume my character when he got annoyed and claimed himself the victor of the bout. Was this an actual fight, I would frustrate him by playing defensive...denying him the thrill of any meaningful blow until I present an opening as bait for him. I guess that could work even better in a social context.''

[Kannon]

"Perhaps. Some of your observations match mine. I still can't abandon the feeling that he has learned more than we have. It is too risky to bet everything on such mind games. I'd rather secure some intelligence in advance of them, just like we had spoken about before this... encounter."

They reached the 'thopter bay.

"Get behind the handles, Emcas. It's an easy enough approach to Xenion and I want you to develop the skill."

She smiled encouragingly.

[Emcas]

And here she was giving him the gift of flight, as if it was nothing. Emcas bowed.

''As my lady wishes. If it is her will then I will train until I fly as swiftly as the Qaraa''

[Kannon]

"I believe it." She chuckled as she finally found some reprieve in the backseat, sighing as she leaned against it and buckled up. Between her mother and Pankratos, it must have been much. But now, she could clear her thoughts by just looking through the window at the majestic canyon, the Mnemopharangos, and toward the more distant river delta.

/scene?

[Emcas]

/scene!