--but also because it's not me who's dealing with the effects, it's whomever's volunteered to have it... visited upon them. You can't make a training dummy panic and piss itself, at least as far as I know.
I want you to learn how to defend your damned self, Artemaeus. If you're insistent on staying on the front lines, then you cannot limit your skills to ineffectually waving a stick around.
[ And Byerly feels the annoyance curdle further inside of him. Nothing he loves more than feeling like a cruel monster. But he bites his tongue and says: ]
[Immediately filled with far too many ideas for what he could snap back in response, Benedict opts for none of them, forcing himself to think about it and, grudgingly, realize that Byerly has a point.
[Rather than answer, Benedict holds his hands out on either side in a frustrated, shrug-like gesture. What can he even say that won't launch this circular conversation back from its beginning?]
All right, [he finally concedes, at a loss otherwise, and turns back to his writing. Please, Maker, let him just finish the day's work and get out of here.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-03-30 04:05 am (UTC)And what, stabbing is nice?
no subject
Date: 2022-03-30 04:08 am (UTC)[He hunches his shoulders.]
I'm surprised you'd have a problem with me not wanting to use magic on people.
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Date: 2022-03-31 01:18 am (UTC)[ That's said dryly, even though his feelings on mages are admittedly complicated. ]
When I was training, I was drugged and poisoned so that I could recognize the effects if need be. It's simply what must be done.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 02:58 am (UTC)[since he's asking,]
--but also because it's not me who's dealing with the effects, it's whomever's volunteered to have it... visited upon them. You can't make a training dummy panic and piss itself, at least as far as I know.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 03:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 03:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 03:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 03:13 am (UTC)I'm not completely helpless, I've been training in staves for over a year. But I'm-- ..I'm not stupid enough to be uncautious.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 03:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 03:23 am (UTC)[he's starting to get tripped up now, his thoughts moving too quickly for his mouth.]
--but-- I’m, I’m a scribe. I panic in a real fight. Whether someone wants to kill me or— or I’m just in the way of them trying to kill you, I….
[He shrugs helplessly at his desk.]
I don’t know, she asked. I assumed she meant it. Any magic I cast would probably just piss off an actual assassin.
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Date: 2022-03-31 07:22 pm (UTC)Having been a target in the past of your magic, I believe you could handle an assassin decently well.
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Date: 2022-03-31 07:25 pm (UTC)Do you want me to retract the request?
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Date: 2022-03-31 07:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 07:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-03-31 08:13 pm (UTC)Do you need me to arrange for a teacher for you?
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Date: 2022-03-31 08:25 pm (UTC)[Benedict shakes his head without looking at Byerly.]
I'll handle it.
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Date: 2022-03-31 08:28 pm (UTC)If I had the power to subdue a man without taking his life, I'd be overjoyed.
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Date: 2022-03-31 08:32 pm (UTC)Ugh.]
I know, [is all he allows himself to say.]
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Date: 2022-04-01 08:12 pm (UTC)Either don't go into danger, or know how to properly take care of yourself. Having my attention divided won't help me in my work.
[ Translation: I don't want to worry about you. ]
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Date: 2022-04-03 10:36 pm (UTC)[He'll see to it, one way or another. If only being a mage were the free pass some seem to think it is.]
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Date: 2022-04-03 11:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-04-03 11:28 pm (UTC)All right, [he finally concedes, at a loss otherwise, and turns back to his writing. Please, Maker, let him just finish the day's work and get out of here.]