inbox.text / audio / video / action / ringtone❝ Hello, you have reached Ushiromiya Lion. I apologize for missing your call.
Please leave a message, and I'll reply as soon as I can. Thank you. ❞code credit
[ This isn't even said in a mocking manner. It's only like nine-ish kilograms, that's nothing. Also for the sake of the narrative's sanity, we're not gonna bother with extended metaphors or narration. There is simply a long expanse of silence, weighing pros and cons, options, possibilities, and at that moment Lion can see where some people get nervous around him. It's like being set on a scale and weighed against something they aren't even aware of; would never even know how they rate against it. It extends long enough to turn nervousness into panic before- ]
I can try.
[ Well shit guess they'll have to- wait what??? A yes??????? ]
[ 'Not that heavy', says man who casually disrespects proper usage of a zweihander on a daily basis. But bickering about the difference in perspective would only detract from the point, so they don't.
They're not concerned about the Silence. Why would they be? Will is Will, and it only proves that he's taking their request seriously. Even if he says no, they can trust that there would be a reason, even if he probably wouldn't give that reason to anyone, ever, like a jerk. ]
Trying is all I ask.
[ From anyone else, that'd be a very confused "wait, really???" instead. ]
After all, it's not exactly a simple request, or an immediately pressing one.
[ It would be simple if it wasn't either of them. But that's why they asked rather then doing something hilariously stupid like trying to self-tutor swordplay or something. ]
[ Lion's narration is rude on multiple fronts and we're not putting up with it. Mostly not putting up with it.
Their answer simply gets a nod. Good enough to work with. Though Lion can pick out a small problem with their method of gaining his concession. Somewhere a record scratches, a needle hopping from one track to another, and it is no longer the Will they spend their bitch sessions with. It is far less jarring a change than it usually is. ]
'Not pressing'.
[ This can immediately read as 'oh dear I said the wrong thing'. They don't get the chance to defend it. ] Then these are my Rules. You will come to me whenever you wish to be taught - I will not chase you. Taking too long between initiations will be considered skipping a session; in response, all further sessions will canceled. The amount of time to qualify as a skipped session will not be disclosed. Bringing your own weapons is recommended, but not required. A placement test is mandatory on first session. To refuse is to refuse all further training, as well as the offer thereof. Friends or other interested parties will be allowed should they follow the same Rules. However, should you bring enough people to qualify as a 'class' rather than a 'training group', you will all be punished accordingly. Should you want the full details on record, a formal written request will be needed within one hundred and sixty eight hours upon acceptance.
[ Honestly, they should've expected this. Half measures have never been a thing that was Allowed, for either of them, and going this far without tripping a landmine was downright suspicious.
The impulse to ask him to stop and rewind is frozen and smashed before it gets anywhere remotely near being said. Partially because that's an obvious trap. Go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect 200gp, and most definitely lose any points accrued for dunking him earlier. And partially because that would involve admitting that being hit by the verbal equavalent of a calculus book does not, in fact, mesh well with humans.
But they're not the average human, are they. There's a moment before old habits kicks in, but not long enough to leave them completely confused as to what the fuck just happened. It's not that different from being drilled on the finer points of batshit nazi gold economic miracles when you get down to it. ]
The terms as stated are acceptable, though I have one question and one clarification before I agree fully.
[ Rich brat. They even tap their chin while picking over what to say, because the words need to be Right. ]
In order - regarding the undisclosed period where 'skipping' counts as a failure to comply, does this include or exclude the duration of any official missions for the Bureau?
[ Off the record? Rude as hell, but they can sort of see why. He's certainly got a knack for scare tactics. ]
And the other is that anyone else who might be interested can ask on their own behalf, thank you. It's not my intention to have this become more then what it is.
[ Like. Honestly, Will, why does he think they asked him privately in the first place. ]
[ And they say they'll be bad at logic fights. There's the faint ghost of a smile, because seeing the comparison of Lion now to when the two first met - especially with those memories so recently revisited - is like night and day. So proud of them.
But he can't say it until this is done. On one hand, Lion's a derp and would go offtrack immediately. On the other, some things can't be avoided, even for someone as important as Lion. ]
First, to address other hypothetical attendees, this was brought up from the concern of Qrow's now-classless students coming to me for direction. It should be no surprise to you that some of his lessons were my suggestions. Should anyone find out about that fact outside of yourself, I would be the next target to take over his course, aside from Washington. At some point I may seek out someone of your own skill level to fight against, hence the offer for you to pick someone in advance, should you have anyone in mind.
[ The general angle of the words is that this not-contract are between the two of them, so it only addresses others in relation to the two involved parties, but only? It just condenses into 'kids give me anxiety'. He already has more than he wants, no thanks. ]
Second, let it be known that had you not asked, the result would have been 'included'. [ Rude. As. Hell. ] However, I have no preference and it shall be what you personally decide to ask for. My opinions and suggestions are not to be given until the Terms of Service are agreed upon.
[ Because this, to them, isn't a logic fight. It's a contract. They can do those.
If only they knew, huh.
At the direct mention of Qrow, things nearly go off-track regardless of Will's attempt otherwise. There's a brief flicker of something, a similar flatline that certain other individuals might have gotten- and the reply is both a bit too quick and a bit too measured, spoken in a tone that can only truly be described as "knife emoji". ]
Then I'll clarify. [ uh- ] I will not allow my asking this of you to become an excuse for others to harrass you into cleaning up his mistakes.
[
Well then! Moving on. ]
...If possible, I'll request 'excluded unless otherwise specified', then. Missions are hectic enough without adding deliberate exhaustion and possible injury to the list of dangers.
[ Not that they're expecting to get the literal shit kicked out of them in these lessons, but- but they're kinda expecting to get the figurative shit kicked out of them in these lessons. Phrasing it that way still gives them the option to decide otherwise on a case-by-case basis without just creating a recipe for disaster. ]
[ Oof. And people get on him for being savage. Compared to knowing exactly what that face pairs with - bern in a casket, him being dismissed as nuisance in lion's life, #The Head Did Nothing (Everything) Wrong - that the only concern is what the hell did Qrow do? There was the one night in Lyrabar where Lion stormed back, grumbling about how corvids are assholes, but nothing more.
It's put a pin on, just like that last time. And, just like last time, to bring it up would just ruin the situation, so the knife is deflected into a wall and ignored otherwise. ]
Understood. Then regarding the status of additional units, a decision is reached. You may recommend those you would be amenable with training with, however they will need to come to speak with me personally. Is this agreeable?
[ There is a momentary pause at the second part. It's not a black or white judgment. The logic for it is sound, but effectively boils down to "only if I feel like it". It's open-ended words banned for use in contracts. Normally, that would be worth a rejection, as the foundation is built on Lion proving their own desire to be taught.
However, Lion gets one concession to any mental scaling by virtue of being Lion. They are worth enough to fudge the numbers slightly. The duration of time that qualifies as a class failure is undisclosed. Thus, he can shorten it as penance without it being reflected in the Contract. Order is maintained. ]
Your request is acceptable. From here on, it's your responsibility.
[ The cold anger, brief as it was, drains as quickly as it arrived. They're not the type to sustain it by thought alone, and it's still in the realm of something they're adamantly avoiding. So back into the box it goes. Simple. ]
That's... fine by me. Both parts of it.
[ It's a pity that they're not quite good enough to pinpoint narration. Because part of it is wrong, painfully so - it's not 'if they feel like it', it's 'to avoid their own stupidity'. After the last few missions they can't trust that they wouldn't pick the worst time to fall short.
But the judgement passes unawares, and Lion sighs. Goodness, they did not sleep enough over the past month or so, did they. Everything feels thin and wrung out, like elastic stretched to within an inch of it's life. It's not a pleasant feeling. ]
... Thank you, Will. I'll do my best to prove worthy of it.
[ "I'll try not to let you down" goes unsaid. Even if they worry they'll fall short, there is no try allowed. The consequences of using that word are something they definitely haven't forgotten from That Day. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ This isn't even said in a mocking manner. It's only like nine-ish kilograms, that's nothing. Also for the sake of the narrative's sanity, we're not gonna bother with extended metaphors or narration. There is simply a long expanse of silence, weighing pros and cons, options, possibilities, and at that moment Lion can see where some people get nervous around him. It's like being set on a scale and weighed against something they aren't even aware of; would never even know how they rate against it. It extends long enough to turn nervousness into panic before- ]
I can try.
[ Well shit guess they'll have to- wait what??? A yes??????? ]
no subject
They're not concerned about the Silence. Why would they be? Will is Will, and it only proves that he's taking their request seriously. Even if he says no, they can trust that there would be a reason, even if he probably wouldn't give that reason to anyone, ever, like a jerk. ]
Trying is all I ask.
[ From anyone else, that'd be a very confused "wait, really???" instead. ]
After all, it's not exactly a simple request, or an immediately pressing one.
[ It would be simple if it wasn't either of them. But that's why they asked rather then doing something hilariously stupid like trying to self-tutor swordplay or something. ]
no subject
Their answer simply gets a nod. Good enough to work with. Though Lion can pick out a small problem with their method of gaining his concession. Somewhere a record scratches, a needle hopping from one track to another, and it is no longer the Will they spend their bitch sessions with. It is far less jarring a change than it usually is. ]
'Not pressing'.
[ This can immediately read as 'oh dear I said the wrong thing'. They don't get the chance to defend it. ] Then these are my Rules. You will come to me whenever you wish to be taught - I will not chase you. Taking too long between initiations will be considered skipping a session; in response, all further sessions will canceled. The amount of time to qualify as a skipped session will not be disclosed. Bringing your own weapons is recommended, but not required. A placement test is mandatory on first session. To refuse is to refuse all further training, as well as the offer thereof. Friends or other interested parties will be allowed should they follow the same Rules. However, should you bring enough people to qualify as a 'class' rather than a 'training group', you will all be punished accordingly. Should you want the full details on record, a formal written request will be needed within one hundred and sixty eight hours upon acceptance.
Is this acceptable?
[1/2]
no subject
The impulse to ask him to stop and rewind is frozen and smashed before it gets anywhere remotely near being said. Partially because that's an obvious trap. Go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect 200gp, and most definitely lose any points accrued for dunking him earlier. And partially because that would involve admitting that being hit by the verbal equavalent of a calculus book does not, in fact, mesh well with humans.
But they're not the average human, are they. There's a moment before old habits kicks in, but not long enough to leave them completely confused as to what the fuck just happened. It's not that different from being drilled on the finer points of batshit nazi gold economic miracles when you get down to it. ]
The terms as stated are acceptable, though I have one question and one clarification before I agree fully.
[ Rich brat. They even tap their chin while picking over what to say, because the words need to be Right. ]
In order - regarding the undisclosed period where 'skipping' counts as a failure to comply, does this include or exclude the duration of any official missions for the Bureau?
[ Off the record? Rude as hell, but they can sort of see why. He's certainly got a knack for scare tactics. ]
And the other is that anyone else who might be interested can ask on their own behalf, thank you. It's not my intention to have this become more then what it is.
[ Like. Honestly, Will, why does he think they asked him privately in the first place. ]
no subject
But he can't say it until this is done. On one hand, Lion's a derp and would go offtrack immediately. On the other, some things can't be avoided, even for someone as important as Lion. ]
First, to address other hypothetical attendees, this was brought up from the concern of Qrow's now-classless students coming to me for direction. It should be no surprise to you that some of his lessons were my suggestions. Should anyone find out about that fact outside of yourself, I would be the next target to take over his course, aside from Washington. At some point I may seek out someone of your own skill level to fight against, hence the offer for you to pick someone in advance, should you have anyone in mind.
[ The general angle of the words is that this not-contract are between the two of them, so it only addresses others in relation to the two involved parties, but only? It just condenses into 'kids give me anxiety'. He already has more than he wants, no thanks. ]
Second, let it be known that had you not asked, the result would have been 'included'. [ Rude. As. Hell. ] However, I have no preference and it shall be what you personally decide to ask for. My opinions and suggestions are not to be given until the Terms of Service are agreed upon.
no subject
If only they knew, huh.
At the direct mention of Qrow, things nearly go off-track regardless of Will's attempt otherwise. There's a brief flicker of something, a similar flatline that certain other individuals might have gotten- and the reply is both a bit too quick and a bit too measured, spoken in a tone that can only truly be described as "knife emoji". ]
Then I'll clarify. [ uh- ] I will not allow my asking this of you to become an excuse for others to harrass you into cleaning up his mistakes.
[
Well then! Moving on. ]
...If possible, I'll request 'excluded unless otherwise specified', then. Missions are hectic enough without adding deliberate exhaustion and possible injury to the list of dangers.
[ Not that they're expecting to get the literal shit kicked out of them in these lessons, but- but they're kinda expecting to get the figurative shit kicked out of them in these lessons. Phrasing it that way still gives them the option to decide otherwise on a case-by-case basis without just creating a recipe for disaster. ]
And as that was my only pressing query, I accept.
no subject
It's put a pin on, just like that last time. And, just like last time, to bring it up would just ruin the situation, so the knife is deflected into a wall and ignored otherwise. ]
Understood. Then regarding the status of additional units, a decision is reached. You may recommend those you would be amenable with training with, however they will need to come to speak with me personally. Is this agreeable?
[ There is a momentary pause at the second part. It's not a black or white judgment. The logic for it is sound, but effectively boils down to "only if I feel like it". It's open-ended words banned for use in contracts. Normally, that would be worth a rejection, as the foundation is built on Lion proving their own desire to be taught.
However, Lion gets one concession to any mental scaling by virtue of being Lion. They are worth enough to fudge the numbers slightly. The duration of time that qualifies as a class failure is undisclosed. Thus, he can shorten it as penance without it being reflected in the Contract. Order is maintained. ]
Your request is acceptable. From here on, it's your responsibility.
no subject
That's... fine by me. Both parts of it.
[ It's a pity that they're not quite good enough to pinpoint narration. Because part of it is wrong, painfully so - it's not 'if they feel like it', it's 'to avoid their own stupidity'. After the last few missions they can't trust that they wouldn't pick the worst time to fall short.
But the judgement passes unawares, and Lion sighs. Goodness, they did not sleep enough over the past month or so, did they. Everything feels thin and wrung out, like elastic stretched to within an inch of it's life. It's not a pleasant feeling. ]
... Thank you, Will. I'll do my best to prove worthy of it.
[ "I'll try not to let you down" goes unsaid. Even if they worry they'll fall short, there is no try allowed. The consequences of using that word are something they definitely haven't forgotten from That Day. ]