milliways_bar | (no subject)

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It isn't really entirely often he comes out here to work off energy, not this way. Sure, he's always had a sword and always known how to use it, and he's picked up knowledge of various things over the years, from being more than passable with a bow to being fair with a stone and a sling--but it's that first one that's making the distant swish and thok noises. It's not sharp, because there's no point in dulling a blade when you're basically hitting a wooden pole with it, but it works out the muscles the exact same way.

And it gives him time to think. This is perhaps not a great idea.

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'But why?'

It seems strange.

'You said swords would not work on your suitor.'

He cannot bring himself to describe Zeus as a god, even a lesser one. It seems wrong.

"Not everything in my life revolves around the bastard," he says impatiently. "I have always known weapons, it gives me a sense of normalcy. Why do you read your bible still, since it hasn't gotten you out of here?"

His expression flattens at once; it is the boy's words more than his tone, but combined, they are not pleasing.

'But you are not normal,' he points out, with a hint of condescension.

'You do this to get a taste of it? It is only an illusion.'

"And you are?" he replies.

"How is this an illusion? I am perfectly capable of using a sharp blade against an opponent."

'Of course I am.'

And he is offended at the notion he could be other.

'But I do not comment on your skill - you seem more than adept - but your words; that weapons give you a sense of normalcy. Why should they, when you are clearly not? You may fight like a mortal man, and yet you claim you cannot die.'

It seems clear to him.

'It is a lie to the self, which is no less a lie than any other.'

"In every sense but that I cannot die or age, I am normal," he says dryly. "I have work, and pleasure, lovers and business. Not everyone who fights does so to the death."

'And yet those two things - well, there are three, I suppose - but the duel claims of not being able to die or age; you cannot pass these off as trivialities. 'Set them aside, and I am normal' you say. Well, I do not see how they can be set aside. That is all.'

He did not come over to start an argument, but he will not back down from his point of view, now it has been roused.

'If I were to take that sword and stab you through the heart, what would happen?'

"You wouldn't get the chance," he says with certainty. "Because you'd be dead before you could prick skin."

Javert refrains from rolling his eyes, just barely, and fixes the boy with a hard stare.

'I was not suggesting I would try. I am asking, hypothetically, what would happen.'

"I presume it would hurt, I've never been stabbed through the heart," he says.

'But it would not kill you?'

He fails to see how it could not, despite what has been said.

'So, you see, you cannot pretend to be normal. To yourself, or anyone else.'

"I am not pretending," he repeats. "Did you not hear me the last time I said this?"

'I am disagreeing with your definition of it. It may not be pretence to you, but it is mockery to everyone else.'

He glares a moment, then looks away. This is a pointless exchange, and he genuinely did not come to argue.

'Ah, what is the use? I will leave you to your practice.'

"Conversation I welcome," he says. "But you approach and insult me without provocation and I will return it."

'You are wrong. I approached and spoke; it was you that became short with me.'

He does not mind the impatience shown. He does mind the insinuation that he would be that rude without cause.

'Good day, monsieur.'

"Really, and how precisely was I short with you first? You ask me why I practice, I gave you an answer, and you tell me condescendingly that I am not normal. I have never said as much to you, either today or any other."

'You made a comment on my reading of the Bible, in such a tone to suggest it was not meant kindly.'

At least, that is how he took it.

'And I should hope you would not tell me such a thing, as it would have no basis in fact.'

Edited 2013-08-12 22:42 (UTC)

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