A Much-Needed Discussion

[himbosupreme]

Who ⬤ Cain Knightley and the Enma
What ⬤ Cain has a promotion, but also a few burning questions he's determined to ask the Enma, whether the Enma likes it or not.
When ⬤ July
Where ⬤ Enma's Office
Content Warnings ⬤ None....


The promotion probably shouldn't have shocked him seeing how he had participated in the tower raid, but to have one come so soon after recieving his sword...he felt almost a little too gifted. But that wasn't the point here. The point was that he could again meet the Enma himself face to face and finally get some answers from the man.

Cain wasn't easily intimidated, but the Enma was truly a frightening presence. Still, he wasn't backing down.

"Lord Enma," he said, bowing formally, "if you have time, I would like to ask a couple questions of you."

His tone was polite, but the force behind the words is deadly serious.

Comments

[jigokumods]

There is another gap of almost choking silence, left to linger, to root its way into the air between them, to suffocate...

When the Enma speaks again... his voice is more gentle.

"You are a man of passions, Sergeant Knightly. And while it may not seem like it, I do respect that," he spoke, settling his hands back down to the desk, pushing at it to rise from his chair to that full, gigantic height.

He turns, looking out the window now, and one can almost see that same, strangely tender quality in his eyes, this time.

"Do you remember, Sergeant, what it was I told you when you retrieved your sword?"

[himbosupreme]

There was a moment in there that had Cain almost sure he really said the wrong thing and now was about to die. It was similar to hearing the crack of stone right before the Demon King shattered a man to stone-

but then, the Enma spoke without the rage he expected, and Cain was finally caught off guard visibly. He'd been under some of the impression that the Enma had viewed him impassively and uncaring as stone, merely waiting for the right moment to throw him out.

"The shape of the world is determined by those with the strength to form it. But what does that have to do with this? This...isn't a matter of strength."

[jigokumods]

"Then you still have much to learn about strength."

And that... was it. That was all he said, just turning fully to the window, letting the silence remain for a moment. Cain wasn't even verbally dismissed, but the entire atmosphere of the office suggested that was when he should take his leave.

[himbosupreme]

Well, he'd had a moment there in Cain's mind where he could almost see the Enma's point of view. But just ending it by lecturing him like he was a child? Cain knew how unimportant and powerless he was, but he wanted to think that his efforts meant something.

He drew his sword from the sheath, but then just merely rested it in his hands were he could look at it. "I know that I have a lot to learn about everything. But I've experienced people turning on me for something even pettier and all I can do is warn you is this will not go the way you think it will if you keep withholding things from everyone. That's not strength, that's cowardice."

[jigokumods]

Again, the moment was allowed to sit within the cold quiet of the office. Cain had been all but told to take his leave... unsurprisingly, he did not. The Enma slowly turned from the window, looking at the young man before him.

"I witnessed you stand before a profane god and refuse to blink, Sergeant Knightley. You have proven that was not a simple fluke, to be sure," the Enma didn't seem... actually offended that Cain had drawn his sword.

"So again, I feel it is worth stating that I do respect you, to that end. But you're also proving my point by thinking this is something you can simply push yourself against. Your courage will guide you... and send you to your grave."

He stepped forward, back towards his desk, hands behind his back.

"Who do you hope to protect when you're dead, Sergeant?"

[himbosupreme]

A profane god....Cain filed that away for later, at least. Right now he had a few other things to worry about. He knew he had a death wish sometimes, and he especially knew that Arthur hated it. Cain did not particularly want to die, but there was a time when his own powers drew their limits and he had nothing else to give.

He'd not even drawn his sword as a threat, just to hold it in his hands, as living proof of his convictions. But he really was also just tired of this song and dance. "Are you talking about whatever it was that attacked us, or yourself?"

He knew that passively almost challenging the Enma to a fight was probably the dumbest thing he's done yet, but might as well go for broke at this point. "And you speak like someone who already has the power. I don't have a death wish. But when the time comes and I have nothing left to give, it's the only thing I can do."

He stares back up, meeting the Enma's gaze with his own steely one, though he knew it probably paled in comparison to anyone elses.

[jigokumods]

"Whether I meant the enemy, or myself, is immaterial. What matters is that you're no good to anyone dead, Sergeant. And I am not going to allow you to rush, head first, to your end. Firstly... because we have a contract."

Which was probably the most important matter, but...

"... And secondly, I know you still have new horizons to reach. Your anger, in this moment, your passion... that is what holds you back from them. You ask... but you do not listen."

[himbosupreme]

"Then tell me what's going on!!" It was the heat of the moment and Cain had finally lost his temper. In truth this had been building up for awhile, and the Enma saying almost verbatim what Oz and all the other wizards had already said to him had broke the shell.

He didn't even realize he'd taken his sword and driven it into the floor until it had already happened. He was glad none of the other wizards were here to see him like this as it would probably destroy what little credibility he had left with them. "How can I listen to anything if you don't give me a straight answer?? How am I supposed to listen to any of you when that's all you give me to work with?!"

[jigokumods]

The Enma, perhaps unsurprisingly, did not flinch at Cain's outburst. It barely seemed to register.

"Your courage has earned my respect, Sergeant. Your recklessness harms my trust. You will receive information that is pertinent to your orders. Nothing more, nothing less."

And then he just... goes back to the window.

"If that situation is unacceptable to you, then your options are simple; break your contract, or earn that trust."

[himbosupreme]

Cain would never think of breaking a contract. It was something akin to a promise and he didn't know if it worked differently here; but the risk of losing his magic was nothing he'd ever play with. And his honor and pride....

He felt ashamed of himself. He pulled the sword out of the floor in a single motion, putting it back into the scabbard before bowing. "I apologize for the unsightly display. Please send any bill for damages to me. I......thank you for your time."

He knew he had far overstayed his welcome, and anything else he did now would probably damage what little standing he had left. Cain pauses for a moment, almost tempted to maybe say something, explain himself, apologize-but he remained silent, and left through the door he was let.