[He nods, moving into the kitchen to start the pot. On his way in, he takes both mugs from the table and rinses them in the sink. He fills the pot carefully with water before setting it on the burner and moving back to the sink to finish handwashing the cups.
It feels better to be moving- to have purpose. He's not sure if his purpose here is about to be taken away or not, and this is something that he can do until then to calm his admittedly-fraying nerves.]
[There's silence for a while. Maketh holds herself perfectly still and watches Rome work. Someone else has been here - a friend? She hadn't known he had those. But she really doesn't know anything about Rome, other than his use to her.]
[He's quiet for a few moments. Though it's exceedingly rare that humans- particularly superiors- would apologize to him, this isn't the first time it's happened. Like all the other times, he's not sure of how to take it.
He should be relieved, he thinks. He isn't.]
I acted according to a set of laws written for my kind, back in my world. We have no such guidelines here, and so I applied what I was familiar with to the situation.
[Rome admits, turning to look at her. Though something about this still feels wrong to him, it's important to maintain eye contact, to show respect.]
That was a mistake. One that I will not make again.
[It's said simply, with as little emotion as possible. Often - most of the time - Maketh wishes she had the ability to cut out the emotional parts of her brain and just be done with them entirely. Do away with that weakness, that inconvenience. Surely she would be a better officer then, a better leader.
But she can't and that, too, is a simple truth.
Maketh sighs, letting her shoulders drop.]
A piece of my past returned and I became emotional. Those people were important to me, once, but that part of me is--over. My death would not have accomplished anything worth keeping.
[He's surprised at that- at her admitting that she was wrong, and that what he'd done was the right thing. Rome has already accepted that it wasn't, that something about his actions was wrong, so being suddenly turned the other way is a bit jarring.
Still, he's taking it a little more in stride now as he opens one of the cupboards to get tea bags.]
I see.
[He's not sure what else to say to that.]
As someone in your service, preserving your existence is among my highest priorities. While my preferences are beneath your concern- I would prefer it if you did not take your life lightly.
[It's nowhere near an admonishment- Rome would sooner shoot himself than critique a commanding officer. Rather, it's a request, something that he'd like from her that she would be doing as... maybe something of a favor to him, to help him with knowing what to do in case something like this ever comes up again.]
[He's not sure if he should bring that up, or if he should remind her of what she said to him in her fit of rage. But it's something he's been thinking about for awhile, and it's at least good to get it all on the table.]
But you are alive now. I will attempt to keep you that way, in accordance with my training.
[Maketh doesn't remember what was said with great clarity, but she doesn't say that. There's really no point.]
Good.
[She tips her head to the side.]
Though it should be understood that your first duty is to the people of Hadriel. Should the time come when you must between them and my life, you will choose the former.
[He purses his lips- that has always been the plan.]
I would never choose to save you over a multitude of others.
[It sounds callous, he supposes- but the thought of doing otherwise has never crossed his mind. Rome's morality has always been a little black and white, but he thinks that it works quite nicely in tandem with Maketh's own.]
[That is the correct answer. Maketh tips her head to the side, thoughtful.]
You would have been an excellent soldier for the Empire. I have a question for you, Rome. What do you intend to make of your life? Do you see yourself working as a soldier until you die or an injury puts you out of commission?
[His brow furrows at that- the question implies that he has a choice. While he doesn't and he never has, he's never lamented the loss of one. Where else would he be, but doing what he's ordered?]
It isn't a matter of seeing myself anywhere. I follow orders given to me.
[Simply.]
I suppose my handler plans to utilize me until I am no longer capable of service, yes. My natural lifespan exceeds a human's, and so becoming too old to serve will not happen in the foreseeable future.
[Maketh doesn't give needless praise, but neither does she shirk from the truth. Rome is one of her better guardsmen. Capable, strong, unquestioning. But she wonders, sometimes, what might be lying underneath that.
She tips her head to the side, watching him.]
Good soldiers are easy to replace. You have some intelligence, Rome. The potential to be more than a mere instrument.
[Rome tilts his head quizzically at her words. It's a compliment, he's sure, but there's something more to it, something that doesn't quite make sense to him.]
I'm not sure I understand.
[He finally tells her.]
With all due respect, an intelligent dog is still a dog, ma'am. I am mentally incapable of rising above my station. [He says it like he's been trained to say it- simple, matter of fact. He knows his limits- or at least, he thinks he does because he's been told that he has them his entire life.
But.]
How would you... what are you suggesting? If I may ask.
You believe that because you were instructed to. [She says it without judgement. There's a reason officers belittle their storm troopers on a regular basis. The weapons must never think themselves capable of questioning orders, let alone giving them.] I would train you in the way I was trained as a junior officer.
[She lifts her chin, eyes narrowed.]
You have been conditioned to believe you are nothing but a blunt instrument. I would show you how to be something more.
[There's definitely a conflict there- Rome has always listened to his superior officers, but when they directly contradict one another he's not entirely sure what to believe. But the ones who would say that he's not capable of this sort of thinking or responsibility aren't here, and Maketh is.
For now, she's his commanding officer. For now, he listens to her.]
I'll follow orders, ma'am. If you want to do this, I'll do my best not to disappoint.
[Even if he's not sure how to take this, Rome will give nothing less than a hundred and ten percent. Failure is an option- and maybe what he expects- but he'll try his damnedest anyway, if this is what Maketh wants from him.]
[He's still apprehensive, but it's not like he's going to refuse her.
And he's forgotten entirely about the tea. The water has been on for some time and he frowns, moving to turn off the stove.]
Would you still like to stay? Morgan will be back soon, I believe. [The same Morgan he'd filed a report on back during his first days on the guard. Rome might be taking his instruction to keep an eye on the other werewolf a little too close to heart.]
Oh? [Maketh hesitates. Part of her wants to. She likes Rome. He's easy to understand, doesn't confuse her. And she's curious now, about how close Rome and Morgan seem to be. The last report Rome gave didn't indicate that.] I--all right. For a little.
[Rome nods and moves to pour tea for the both of them, busying himself in the action of it.]
During the flood, his house was ruined, [he explains while he sets the pot down and moves toward the table, setting both mugs down.] I said he could stay here until he finds a new residence.
[Astute. He considers that for a moment, before taking his own seat, his lips pursed curiously.]
I have been trained specifically to handle wolves who lose control. It makes sense that I would not refuse an opportunity to routinely observe him. I believe this is the safest way to go about it.
[He nods, though the question gives him pause- only because he's not sure if Morgan falls under either descriptor. He isn't exactly useful enough to be an asset, nor is he friendly enough to be an ally.]
[Maketh hums. That might be true now. Living in proximity to someone doesn't necessarily equal trust, or any level of cooperation. But it can, given time and patience.]
I suggest you learn, then. You've observed him for some time, yes?
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[Almost like normal. Like something two people do when one of them has made a mistake.
But they aren't people, not really, the two of them are soldiers.
Maketh holds herself very still. She cannot let this go wrong. It's important.]
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[He nods, moving into the kitchen to start the pot. On his way in, he takes both mugs from the table and rinses them in the sink. He fills the pot carefully with water before setting it on the burner and moving back to the sink to finish handwashing the cups.
It feels better to be moving- to have purpose. He's not sure if his purpose here is about to be taken away or not, and this is something that he can do until then to calm his admittedly-fraying nerves.]
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My actions were unprofessional.
[She says it rather abruptly.]
It will not affect your standing in the Guard.
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He should be relieved, he thinks. He isn't.]
I acted according to a set of laws written for my kind, back in my world. We have no such guidelines here, and so I applied what I was familiar with to the situation.
[Rome admits, turning to look at her. Though something about this still feels wrong to him, it's important to maintain eye contact, to show respect.]
That was a mistake. One that I will not make again.
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[It's said simply, with as little emotion as possible. Often - most of the time - Maketh wishes she had the ability to cut out the emotional parts of her brain and just be done with them entirely. Do away with that weakness, that inconvenience. Surely she would be a better officer then, a better leader.
But she can't and that, too, is a simple truth.
Maketh sighs, letting her shoulders drop.]
A piece of my past returned and I became emotional. Those people were important to me, once, but that part of me is--over. My death would not have accomplished anything worth keeping.
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Still, he's taking it a little more in stride now as he opens one of the cupboards to get tea bags.]
I see.
[He's not sure what else to say to that.]
As someone in your service, preserving your existence is among my highest priorities. While my preferences are beneath your concern- I would prefer it if you did not take your life lightly.
[It's nowhere near an admonishment- Rome would sooner shoot himself than critique a commanding officer. Rather, it's a request, something that he'd like from her that she would be doing as... maybe something of a favor to him, to help him with knowing what to do in case something like this ever comes up again.]
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I have already died several times. Once was -- before.
[And that is the death that matters. Perhaps he can understand what that means.]
After the first time, it lost it's threat. I've been told that is worrying.
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[He's not sure if he should bring that up, or if he should remind her of what she said to him in her fit of rage. But it's something he's been thinking about for awhile, and it's at least good to get it all on the table.]
But you are alive now. I will attempt to keep you that way, in accordance with my training.
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Good.
[She tips her head to the side.]
Though it should be understood that your first duty is to the people of Hadriel. Should the time come when you must between them and my life, you will choose the former.
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[He purses his lips- that has always been the plan.]
I would never choose to save you over a multitude of others.
[It sounds callous, he supposes- but the thought of doing otherwise has never crossed his mind. Rome's morality has always been a little black and white, but he thinks that it works quite nicely in tandem with Maketh's own.]
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You would have been an excellent soldier for the Empire. I have a question for you, Rome. What do you intend to make of your life? Do you see yourself working as a soldier until you die or an injury puts you out of commission?
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It isn't a matter of seeing myself anywhere. I follow orders given to me.
[Simply.]
I suppose my handler plans to utilize me until I am no longer capable of service, yes. My natural lifespan exceeds a human's, and so becoming too old to serve will not happen in the foreseeable future.
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[Maketh doesn't give needless praise, but neither does she shirk from the truth. Rome is one of her better guardsmen. Capable, strong, unquestioning. But she wonders, sometimes, what might be lying underneath that.
She tips her head to the side, watching him.]
Good soldiers are easy to replace. You have some intelligence, Rome. The potential to be more than a mere instrument.
[She eyes him up and down.]
I see no reason not to utilize that.
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I'm not sure I understand.
[He finally tells her.]
With all due respect, an intelligent dog is still a dog, ma'am. I am mentally incapable of rising above my station. [He says it like he's been trained to say it- simple, matter of fact. He knows his limits- or at least, he thinks he does because he's been told that he has them his entire life.
But.]
How would you... what are you suggesting? If I may ask.
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[She lifts her chin, eyes narrowed.]
You have been conditioned to believe you are nothing but a blunt instrument. I would show you how to be something more.
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For now, she's his commanding officer. For now, he listens to her.]
I'll follow orders, ma'am. If you want to do this, I'll do my best not to disappoint.
[Even if he's not sure how to take this, Rome will give nothing less than a hundred and ten percent. Failure is an option- and maybe what he expects- but he'll try his damnedest anyway, if this is what Maketh wants from him.]
Thank you.
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[She nods just once.]
Report to me tomorrow. I will assign you new duties then.
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[He's still apprehensive, but it's not like he's going to refuse her.
And he's forgotten entirely about the tea. The water has been on for some time and he frowns, moving to turn off the stove.]
Would you still like to stay? Morgan will be back soon, I believe. [The same Morgan he'd filed a report on back during his first days on the guard. Rome might be taking his instruction to keep an eye on the other werewolf a little too close to heart.]
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During the flood, his house was ruined, [he explains while he sets the pot down and moves toward the table, setting both mugs down.] I said he could stay here until he finds a new residence.
[But...]
He- hasn't yet.
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You don't seem to mind.
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I have been trained specifically to handle wolves who lose control. It makes sense that I would not refuse an opportunity to routinely observe him. I believe this is the safest way to go about it.
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You are gaining his trust.
[That's the clinical way of looking at it.]
Good. You will need allies and assets both. That is one of the things I will teach you.
[She tips her head to the side.]
Which is Morgan?
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[He nods, though the question gives him pause- only because he's not sure if Morgan falls under either descriptor. He isn't exactly useful enough to be an asset, nor is he friendly enough to be an ally.]
I don't know if he's either. We aren't close.
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I suggest you learn, then. You've observed him for some time, yes?
[She tips her head to the side.]
What have you concluded?
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