[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/271031448755109888/452429537993818112/AchBanner.png[/img]
[h2]Hero of the Rushed Life[/h2]
[h3][i]Farm Shed, Fuyuki Outskirts[/i][/h3][/Center]

Honestly, he had thought the first meeting to be going rather smoothly, all considered. He did not think he had said anything wrong, and he had hopefully looked approachable enough for the girl to trust him — he knew he could cut the awe-inspiring figure, and the last thing he needed was to intimidate her, but it all had seemed to be fine.

At least until he saw her droop down slightly, and he caught a flash of something red on her hand.

[i]. . .Ah.[/i]

Well, this was awkward, but hopefully his Master would forgive him, right? She would understand his confusion, right? She wouldn’t take it too badly, right?

After all, what was a Servant to do when confronted by the same situation? He honestly could not be blamed for not believing a little girl was to be his Master for a war — and wasn’t [i]that[/i] a sobering thought — but at least he had come off gentle enough their their relationship would likely be good regardless, though it still begged the question: where were her parents?

So immersed he was in his own thoughts that he almost didn’t notice his Master jumping toward him, clearly intending to cause harm. As it was, the situation only made him stare down in befuddlement as she appeared to move in slow motion.

[quote]“I am not a child! How dare you speak to your Master like thi-”[/quote]

He almost cringed at the resounding ‘clang’ as her head met the armor, and wondered if his Master wouldn’t kill herself before an enemy could even try. Then the panic settled in as he hurried to catch her when she started to fall forward, letting go of his spear.

It must have made for quite the scene. Despite his brave disposition that could stare down any other hero with a smile and a laugh, his face looked more akin to a deer caught in headlights — did that expression even exist yet? Oh, [i]whatever[/i] — as he looked around wildly, not knowing what to do.

Put him in front of an enemy army and he would fight to the last breath. Ask him to whip people into shape and he could do that, too. Survival in the wild? No problem. But caring for a child that had just now hurt herself?

He almost wished to be getting mud thrown in his face in those beaches again, instead.

“Ah, damnit, damnit, this was never covered in our lessons. . .”

Think, think, what would Chiron do? Perhaps it was telling that the first person to come to mind was that centaur instead of his father or his mother, but the fact remained that he was the best at everything, and that included raising children, so in Lancer’s mind, ‘copy Teacher’ was never a bad move.

Alright, she had said she was not a child and she had lashed out about that — not entirely unexpected behavior, and something he himself had done when he was still a kid. Children did not like being reminded of their age in most cases — or rather, they thought being eight was the same as being a man grown. 

So.

“I apologize Master,” He stammered out, perhaps more rushed than he should while trying to emulate his teacher’s gentle tone. “Of course, you are not. Uhh. . .what do you say we go look for some ice?”

Try to placate her by agreeing while looking for something to help with her head before it swelled. Following which — 

“Would you mind pointing me to your —“ He very nearly bit his tongue to avoid saying ‘parents’, lest he incur the girl’s wrath and she hurt herself again. “ —house? Living arrangements here?”

Right, get her there, and then they could discuss more, try to keep her from getting angsty by promising something — not candy though, he had a feeling he would only aggravate the situation if he did that, since he’d come off as treating her like a child again.

Where was Teacher when you needed him?! He’d have diffused the situation entirely with just a few words and a smile. Hell, by this point, the girl would have loved him!

“And then we can talk about the current situation. Sound good?”

That ought to do it, or at least placate her as much as possible. He felt so sorry for Chiron. Was this what dealing with children entailed? The centaur had done it for lifetimes, but he could barely handle a minute of it. His respect for his old teacher swelled once more.

Ah, focus, focus, you can think about that later, for now try to fix this. At least she had not begun doing [i]that[/i], and Lancer hoped she never would lest she wanted to end him.

[i]Please, please, please, do not cry, I am not equipped to deal with crying little girls.[/i]

[@Phonic]