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Avery smiles at the offer to teach, then looks back up to Vorpal.
"Um...yes, I don't have a tablet so...later works?" He nods to the other Beast before standing up. "Is everything okay Vorpal?"
Vorpal holds Avery's gaze, unwilling to say either yes or no. "It will be. Come on." She offers Avery a hand up when they stand, and then leads the way a little ways off.
"I wanted to start by apologizing for interfering with your fight. I know that hurt your feelings, and I want to apologize for that hurt."
Avery takes the hand, following Vorpal to wherever they need to be taken. They seem relieved by the lack of noise over here, but don't take out the earplugs.
"It is...okay. I was frustrated, but I know you were looking out for me. I shouldn't have been upset." Avery sways slightly, beyond human capabilities. "Thank you for...the apology though. I would gladly patrol with you again."
Shouldn't have been upset... Vorpal isn't so sure about that, and it shows. "That's... just it. We need to talk about why that happened. It wasn't because I had any doubt in your capability or capacity." A moment passes. A second. She moves to fold down and sit next to one of the smaller fires away from the heart of the Hollow and crowd. "You should sit with me."
Avery looks confused but sits down with Vorpal. "I'm not sure I understand."
Vorpal sits quiet for a long moment. "The reason I interfered was because, the first time... I didn't. I left it to you, and you executed the exact maneuver you did that day.
Except it wasn't enough.
Both of them survived. Just barely.
And you were defenseless."
Avery blinks twice. They open their mouth but don't speak for a moment.
"I'm...what do you mean the first time...?" Avery blinks a few more times. "Are you saying...I should be dead?"
Vorpal shakes her head hard at that phrasing. "No. Absolutely not. Things are the way they should be. You only- that only... happened, because I stood by. I assumed it would be fine, I did nothing, and..."
Her lips thin, hard. Her hands are fists, thumbs rubbing against the side of each ball.
Avery's eyes search the ground, as if understanding was hidden there. There was a confusion still in their voice. Perhaps some level of overwhelmed with the party going on. "If things are as they should be...then what happened the first time? I don't think I understand what you are meaning?"
Avery gulped. "I am a good fighter...I should have been able to take care of them."
Vorpal reaches out to place a hand over each of Avery's. "You. Are an excellent fighter. You are, I think, the next fastest person after me, with a blade. But there is something I absolutely never do, and you did.
You completely abandoned your defenses because you were so sure you would slay them. And your blades landed just. A hair. Shallow."
Avery curls into a small ball where they were sitting. They would have enjoyed the compliment but realization had dawned on them.
"Without Blessing of Perfection, I wasn't sure I would land the killing blow. I took a risk and...I guess it ended badly." Avery takes a shaky breath. "I am not the best at...holding myself back. Or long fights...I am good at being quiet and...making sure I kill."
Their head rested on their knees. "Thank you for telling me."
"Unless someone else's life hangs on whether they die right this instant, my rule is to at the very least maintain enough of a guard to leave them looking like chumps. A missed attack isn't a lethal mistake. A missed attack which leaves you exposed... is." Vorpal's voice is as soft as she can make it, and she shifts closer as Avery curls up, gently wrapping them in her arms. "You're welcome. I... hated... telling you. But. If I tell you... you can choose not to make that mistake in the future. So...
I had to."
Avery thinks to the teeth of the briarwolves, and shudders, but lets Vorpal hug them. "I won't do it again. I will...be careful next time." Avery looks to the main celebration. "I want to...go for now. Until the bonfire." They look to Vorpal for permission. "May I leave?"
"Please do be careful. You're amazing, and you'll only become more so with more time and more experience." The question leaves her blinking a few times, but she withdraws her arms and sits back. "Of course, Avery. You can go where you want, when you want." She smiles. Just slightly. "Part of the perks of being your own."
You know.
And alive.
Avery nods. "I will be careful. I...will get more experience. Thank you Vorpal."
The Raven changeling leaves, a little shaken and just needing space to themselves.
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