When you must, [Altius corrects with a tone that's gently assertive.
At this point, he's had to accept—internally and externally—that children like this one often take to the field in dangerous situations in this world. That doesn't mean he's going to let them endanger themselves unnecessarily, and that includes properly taking care of themselves. If nothing else, he can offer that support without reservation.]
[ Minato averts his gaze. He understands he's being reproached, albeit gently.
It's the follow-up question that reins his attention back in, gray-blue gaze flickering back at the man. It's a good one, mostly because Minato finds he can't offer a proper answer. Was it breakfast, or had it been dinner? Everything blends together. ]
...I can't remember.
[ It's been difficult to keep track of time given the eternal night that's fallen across Aldrip. This is the excuse he feeds himself as opposed to facing the fact that he hasn't had an appetite. ]
[There's a mild scolding in the way he tilts his head at Minato and says,] Come with me.
[Lest the young man think he can get away, there's a strong hand on his shoulder guiding him towards the kitchen, though the pace is slow at first as Altius makes sure he comes along.]
There's plenty of soup and stew, and you can take a moment to get off your feet while you eat.
[ There must be another person wandering about in the dark. He needs to go find them. Instead, the stranger starts shepherding him towards the kitchen, and because Minato knows when he's lost an argument, he obliges, allowing himself to be led away. ]
I'm... really not that hungry.
[ Nevertheless, buried within the statement is the implication that he might be able to bring himself to take a bite or two. ]
An unfortunate symptom of stress. Our bodies don't always know what they need, hm?
[He pats Minato's shoulder almost encouragingly, only removing his hand once they're both inside the inn's kitchen, savory smells mixing in the air. Altius steps to get a small bowl for the young man as he continues.]
That's part of what makes soups so helpful, I think. You don't have to put quite as much effort into eating, and still get what you need. [Moving towards the pots, he turns his gaze back to Minato.] The lighter broth, do you think?
[ The kitchen does, admittedly, smell heavenly to Minato who can't recall the last time he had a proper meal.
His company approaches the pots with a small bowl in hand. It's definitely too late to decline anything now, and... maybe the man is right. A bit of soup couldn't hurt. So he nods, albeit still with his muted guardedness from earlier.
That doesn't mean he's forgotten his manners though. ]
[Altius is mindful of the young man's demeanor; he doesn't overfill the bowl with solid pieces, trying to balance it instead. He doesn't have any real expectation that Minato will finish it, but—]
There's a quiet corner this way.
[Handing the soup over along with a spoon, Altius briefly guides him in the correct direction with a hand on his back before letting it fall to his side, trusting that the Minato will come along without much more encouragement. He is going to stick around long enough to make sure Minato actually eats and rests for a few minutes.
As promised, Altius will lead him to a seat where the people nearby are mostly resting without loud conversation; there's much less panicked, frantic energy here than in the front.]
[ He accepts the bowl of soup, cupping it carefully between both hands along with the spoon. Minato supposes he's already made it this far, and thus he'd may as well permit the man to lead him to a quieter corner of the inn. He makes no effort to insist on being capable of eating alone, for he also understands his current task will be supervised to ensure that he actually has some of the soup and rests.
He settles down in the chair with the bowl in his lap, not helping himself to the soup just yet. Introductions should come first of course.
The man has a name now, graduating from "Stranger" to "Altius. Minato spends a moment considering how to introduce himself, how much distance he wishes to impose between himself and Altius. But because he's too exhausted to contemplate those details, Minato throws caution to the wind. ]
Minato.
[ He glances down at the soup, eyeing it for a moment before taking the spoon in hand and scooping some liquid into it. He drinks, and the taste of it immediately begins to whet his appetite.
Ah. So he was hungry after all. He takes another spoonful, and then another before pausing and glancing back up at Altius with hesitation in his eyes. ]
You... don't need to stay here too. I'm sure you're busy.
[ It's a little rude of him to be eating alone in the presence of an adult, isn't it? ]
[Zekarion settles into the other seat, hopefully giving the young man enough distance to be comfortable.]
Minato, [he acknowledges with a nod.] It's good to meet you.
[At that point, he splits his attention between the boy and the surroundings, watching to see if anyone needs anything immediate; ultimately, though, it's for the purpose of not seeming too interested in Minato's every move. He probably wouldn't like it if someone was staring at him the whole time he was eating, either.
His attention fully returns once Minato expresses his uncertainty, his expression somewhere between attentive and curious. To reassure him, Altius sits back and replies,]
Don't mind me. The others can go without me for a few minutes, and I probably need the time, as well. [He casts his eyes out to the tired-looking strangers taking refuge around them. Now to see if Minato might be receptive to this idea...]
Being at my best will allow me to do more for those who need my help.
[ It's a wise strategy. Even if Minato doesn't necessarily mind others scrutinizing him while he's eating, what might make him a little self-conscious is the fact that he's aware Altius would be watching him to ensure he finishes to regain his strength.
He takes another spoonful of the soup as Altius speaks, only lowering his utensil as the man offers him that piece of advice. He thinks he's heard that line of thinking before. It's certainly a sound concept. ]
...there isn't always time for that though.
[ Minato doesn't intend to be rude. Rather, he speaks in part from his personal experience. Without him, SEES would be without a field leader fighting through Tartarus, and there'd been days when he'd pushed himself in spite of not feeling entirely well. They were on a tight schedule at times after all. ]
[Minato isn't wrong, certainly, and Altius expected some pushback. He offers the young man a faint nod in response initially, followed by a diplomatic,]
It takes experience to tell where that line is.
[It's been a while since "Altius" has been involved in any kind of a crisis, admittedly, but no one here has to know that. Will anyone really question it if he seems knowledgeable about strategy in a dangerous situation? In any case, he turns a curious look towards Minato.]
But we have the fortune of having a number of allies here, don't we?
[ It seems Altius' alternative suggestion breaks through, given how Minato's gaze flickers back up to the man. He observes him for a moment, the curious look from Altius met with Minato's pensive one. ]
I guess that's true.
[ He'd learned that over the course of his year at Gekkoukan High, hadn't he? Nevertheless, it's a welcome reminder, one that he seems to take to heart as he has another spoonful of soup. ]
...I'll have to finish this so I can help them too, won't I?
[Such initiative. Though he's glad Minato is listening to him, that's not exactly the intent he was going for. He doesn't seem perturbed by the boy's desire to leave as soon as he can, though; he patiently pushes in the opposite direction.]
You have to take care of yourself so they won't have to worry about you as well, [he counters.] As best you can. With how many capable Chosen there are, we can afford to take a little time to do that.
[ Minato's gaze returns to the soup, small frown returning to his face. Taking care of himself so others wouldn't have to worry. Taking care of himself so he wouldn't become a burden on them. Right.
He exhales, holding onto his spoon but not yet having more of his soup. ]
You're... saying I should trust others. Is that it?
[ Trust in them to handle things, just for a little while? ]
[Funny, that he'd be the one to express such a sentiment—but he's been a hypocrite for most of his life at this point, so why would that change now? He sounds sincere, nevertheless, and watches Minato with an understanding look.]
I know it can be hard, especially when it feels like you "should" be doing more. But you wouldn't want your friends to wear themselves out, either, hm?
[ At the very least, Altius sounds sincere enough for Minato to believe him. His gaze remains fixed on the man, though shifts to one that takes on a more guarded demeanor.
Adults in his life have always been fairly hit or miss, and in truth, most of them have been severe misses. Altius has been kind enough thus far, but... ]
...are you speaking from personal experience?
[ Carefully, through his demeanor, he nudges the man away. ]
[His own reactions change little in response to the slight turns of Minato's body language, though he notes them. It took him months to break through to his ward, Ferran; he doesn't expect to win anybody over in a day, but neither will he be pushed away so easily.
He smiles faintly, a hint of self-deprecation in the cant of his head and the raise of his eyebrows. His focus stays on Minato for the moment.]
I've been told I need to learn how to relax, admittedly, [he says with some apparent regret and half a sigh.] Though I have gotten better at letting others do their part.
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expiationlogs2024-11-11 09:09 am
no subject
At this point, he's had to accept—internally and externally—that children like this one often take to the field in dangerous situations in this world. That doesn't mean he's going to let them endanger themselves unnecessarily, and that includes properly taking care of themselves. If nothing else, he can offer that support without reservation.]
When was the last time you had something to eat?
no subject
It's the follow-up question that reins his attention back in, gray-blue gaze flickering back at the man. It's a good one, mostly because Minato finds he can't offer a proper answer. Was it breakfast, or had it been dinner? Everything blends together. ]
...I can't remember.
[ It's been difficult to keep track of time given the eternal night that's fallen across Aldrip. This is the excuse he feeds himself as opposed to facing the fact that he hasn't had an appetite. ]
no subject
[Lest the young man think he can get away, there's a strong hand on his shoulder guiding him towards the kitchen, though the pace is slow at first as Altius makes sure he comes along.]
There's plenty of soup and stew, and you can take a moment to get off your feet while you eat.
no subject
[ There must be another person wandering about in the dark. He needs to go find them. Instead, the stranger starts shepherding him towards the kitchen, and because Minato knows when he's lost an argument, he obliges, allowing himself to be led away. ]
I'm... really not that hungry.
[ Nevertheless, buried within the statement is the implication that he might be able to bring himself to take a bite or two. ]
no subject
[He pats Minato's shoulder almost encouragingly, only removing his hand once they're both inside the inn's kitchen, savory smells mixing in the air. Altius steps to get a small bowl for the young man as he continues.]
That's part of what makes soups so helpful, I think. You don't have to put quite as much effort into eating, and still get what you need. [Moving towards the pots, he turns his gaze back to Minato.] The lighter broth, do you think?
no subject
His company approaches the pots with a small bowl in hand. It's definitely too late to decline anything now, and... maybe the man is right. A bit of soup couldn't hurt. So he nods, albeit still with his muted guardedness from earlier.
That doesn't mean he's forgotten his manners though. ]
...thank you, sir.
no subject
It's my pleasure.
[Altius is mindful of the young man's demeanor; he doesn't overfill the bowl with solid pieces, trying to balance it instead. He doesn't have any real expectation that Minato will finish it, but—]
There's a quiet corner this way.
[Handing the soup over along with a spoon, Altius briefly guides him in the correct direction with a hand on his back before letting it fall to his side, trusting that the Minato will come along without much more encouragement. He is going to stick around long enough to make sure Minato actually eats and rests for a few minutes.
As promised, Altius will lead him to a seat where the people nearby are mostly resting without loud conversation; there's much less panicked, frantic energy here than in the front.]
My name is Altius, by the way.
no subject
He settles down in the chair with the bowl in his lap, not helping himself to the soup just yet. Introductions should come first of course.
The man has a name now, graduating from "Stranger" to "Altius. Minato spends a moment considering how to introduce himself, how much distance he wishes to impose between himself and Altius. But because he's too exhausted to contemplate those details, Minato throws caution to the wind. ]
Minato.
[ He glances down at the soup, eyeing it for a moment before taking the spoon in hand and scooping some liquid into it. He drinks, and the taste of it immediately begins to whet his appetite.
Ah. So he was hungry after all. He takes another spoonful, and then another before pausing and glancing back up at Altius with hesitation in his eyes. ]
You... don't need to stay here too. I'm sure you're busy.
[ It's a little rude of him to be eating alone in the presence of an adult, isn't it? ]
no subject
Minato, [he acknowledges with a nod.] It's good to meet you.
[At that point, he splits his attention between the boy and the surroundings, watching to see if anyone needs anything immediate; ultimately, though, it's for the purpose of not seeming too interested in Minato's every move. He probably wouldn't like it if someone was staring at him the whole time he was eating, either.
His attention fully returns once Minato expresses his uncertainty, his expression somewhere between attentive and curious. To reassure him, Altius sits back and replies,]
Don't mind me. The others can go without me for a few minutes, and I probably need the time, as well. [He casts his eyes out to the tired-looking strangers taking refuge around them. Now to see if Minato might be receptive to this idea...]
Being at my best will allow me to do more for those who need my help.
no subject
He takes another spoonful of the soup as Altius speaks, only lowering his utensil as the man offers him that piece of advice. He thinks he's heard that line of thinking before. It's certainly a sound concept. ]
...there isn't always time for that though.
[ Minato doesn't intend to be rude. Rather, he speaks in part from his personal experience. Without him, SEES would be without a field leader fighting through Tartarus, and there'd been days when he'd pushed himself in spite of not feeling entirely well. They were on a tight schedule at times after all. ]
no subject
It takes experience to tell where that line is.
[It's been a while since "Altius" has been involved in any kind of a crisis, admittedly, but no one here has to know that. Will anyone really question it if he seems knowledgeable about strategy in a dangerous situation? In any case, he turns a curious look towards Minato.]
But we have the fortune of having a number of allies here, don't we?
no subject
I guess that's true.
[ He'd learned that over the course of his year at Gekkoukan High, hadn't he? Nevertheless, it's a welcome reminder, one that he seems to take to heart as he has another spoonful of soup. ]
...I'll have to finish this so I can help them too, won't I?
no subject
You have to take care of yourself so they won't have to worry about you as well, [he counters.] As best you can. With how many capable Chosen there are, we can afford to take a little time to do that.
no subject
He exhales, holding onto his spoon but not yet having more of his soup. ]
You're... saying I should trust others. Is that it?
[ Trust in them to handle things, just for a little while? ]
no subject
[Funny, that he'd be the one to express such a sentiment—but he's been a hypocrite for most of his life at this point, so why would that change now? He sounds sincere, nevertheless, and watches Minato with an understanding look.]
I know it can be hard, especially when it feels like you "should" be doing more. But you wouldn't want your friends to wear themselves out, either, hm?
no subject
Adults in his life have always been fairly hit or miss, and in truth, most of them have been severe misses. Altius has been kind enough thus far, but... ]
...are you speaking from personal experience?
[ Carefully, through his demeanor, he nudges the man away. ]
no subject
He smiles faintly, a hint of self-deprecation in the cant of his head and the raise of his eyebrows. His focus stays on Minato for the moment.]
I've been told I need to learn how to relax, admittedly, [he says with some apparent regret and half a sigh.] Though I have gotten better at letting others do their part.