[BACKLOG - Scene] There's someone I'd like you to meet...

[ashes-of-flame.livejournal.com]

Who: Asch, Balir, and Van
Where: Van's office in Daath
When: ND 2012
Warnings: None that I can think of



"Now Asch, you must remember that you are a member of the Order of Lorelei," Van reminded his student. "You can't make any references to your past life. Do you believe you can do so?"

"Yes, sir," Asch replied sullenly. It wasn't like he wanted to be here, anyway, but he had nowhere else to go. "Why did you bring me here?"

Van gave him a soft smile. "To meet one of the God-Generals." A dangerous move of course, but he trusted Asch to not let out any careless words. He can't afford having anyone learn too much. Not yet at least.

"His name is Balir and he will be here shortly."

"Whatever," Asch replied. Once he got this over with, maybe he could go training, probably the only thing he enjoyed anymore. Plus, Largo might be the instructor today, which would at least be a perk.

As if on cue, Balir entered the room Asch and Van were in. “You wished to see me, Commandant?” He said to Van though he did note that there was another person in the room, one he had not seen previously.

Van frowned at Asch but didn't say anything. Instead, he turned to smile at Balir. "Yes actually, I wanted you to meet my student, Asch." He gestured to the young boy. "He will soon join the Order of Lorelei, as an Oracle Knight. Provided he finished his training."

Asch nodded at Balir, but didn't say anything. After all, he hadn't been properly introduced yet, so why should he do more than just acknowledge the other's presence?

Van turned to the young boy. "Asch, this is one of the God-Generals, Balir. You will eventually be working under his command."

Knights were... sirs? He hadn't met many that he hadn't been higher ranked than, back in Baticul. "A pleasure to meet you, Sir Balir," Asch replied, noting the man's appearance for the first time. He looked like... Guy...

Most interesting. Van didn’t typically take the time to introduce a mere student, which gave the impression this one was special in some way. Either very gifted, or special in some other way was his guess. He was lucky to get an introduction at times before the new recruits were just sent over. Oh well, he could play the game. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” He said to the boy in a polite and respectful tone, rather atypical for him. “I do very much hope you show more promise than most of the recruits I get.”

Van smiles. "I have trained him myself. He does show a great deal of skill for someone his age, I doubt he'd disappoint you." Of course, the simple fact that Asch had run across so much with only his sword and wits to rely on...Van wasn't lying this time.

Balir was glad to hear this one would at least have some sense, since he doubted Van would stand for this one becoming a test subject. If anything, the boy might prove to be interesting if he was reading the boy right. That anger in the boys’ expression, it reminded him of himself when he wasn’t much older than this boy. There was a story here, he’d probably never hear it, but it seemed interesting. “I would doubt one personally trained by you would be disappointing, Commandant, if the student takes after his teacher in this case.”

Asch stayed quiet. Obviously, this was an "adult conversation," and he was only supposed to be there to be the subject of their discussion. Same treatment as he'd gotten back at the manor, really. However, he wasn't in the mood for it. "V- Master Van," Asch asked. "May I go? Largo is likely waiting for me for training." Van had better be pleased with him, Asch thought, he was putting on a good enough show for this man.

Van looked down at him, frowning slightly. "You don't wish to introduce yourself?" Not that it mattered to him either way truly, but he at least wanted to give the appearance that he was helping Asch join the order.

"I apologize," Asch said, scowling inside. "My name is Asch, but V-Master Van already told you that." He held out his hand, not really caring if the man that looked strangely familiar to Guy shook it or not.

Balir took the boy’s hand and shook it politely. He could tell the boy was growing impatient fast, not surprising, his daughter was the same. “Well, I’d hate to get in the way of Largo’s training, even if he has far more patience than I do.”

Van chuckled softly. "Asch is very, dedicated to his training as you can see. Largo has quite a time dealing with them."

Perhaps this wasn't the best idea after all, if Asch was clearly not in the mood.

Asch waited not-so-patiently (not that he showed it) for Van to dismiss him.

“Dedication to training isn’t a bad thing. I only wish more soldiers were dedicated to their work.” He turned towards the boy. Looking at him, he was about his daughter’s age, and he could probably use to be around someone his age, though he also knew boys that age didn’t want to be around girls. “If your Master doesn’t mind, when you are done with your training, you might like to meet my daughter, she’s about your age.”

"Of course, Sir."

Van smiled. A friend his age is likely what Asch needed to improve his mood. "We can arrange a time for you two to meet. Would you like that?"

Asch nodded. He felt slightly bad about leaving Natalia behind, but she seemed perfectly content with his replica, so why should he care?

Van chuckled softly. "Excellent. I'll allow you to resume your training now."

“That would be fine Commandant.” He told Van. He knew very well Meredy was likely to make the boy smile, if that was even possible. “If there is nothing else you need from me, Commandant, I do have research and reports to finish.” Of course Van knew full well he’d become rather absorbed in research and the reports would be handed off to someone else.

Van nodded to him. "Thank you for taking the time to see him."

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Sir Balir, and I look forward to meeting your daughter." Asch thanked Yulia that one of the things he'd been taught was diplomacy, otherwise known as lying through your teeth and sounding sincere.

“I merely follow orders, Commandant.” To Asch he said. “And a pleasure to meet you.” Like Asch, he had been well taught diplomacy. The boy would learn soon how he was to his men, especially when disappointed, though there were worse assignments, like 2nd Division. For now he could think he was going to have a decent commander.

Van nodded to them both. "I'm glad to see you two get along." Hopefully this was the wisest decision.

"If you both wish to go, you may do so now."

Balir definitely didn’t need to be told twice to go. He had much more to accomplish than he had time to do it in. Without a further word, he left the room to return to that research.

Asch paused for a moment, after Balir had left. He turned to Van. "He looks like Guy," he said bluntly.

Van didn't look at him. "Do you think so?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid I don't see he." He frowned. "It's been a long time since you've last seen Guy, hasn't it?"

"I didn't mean exactly the same, but they look similar."

"Perhaps, they could be similar." Van looked down at him. "Do you miss Guy? That may be why you see him now."

"I don't care. He didn't like me anyway."

Van raised a brow, but didn't push it. "Didn't you have training you were eager for?"

"Yes, Largo's waiting for me." He paused. "I'm sure you'll find me if you need me for any more trivial things."

"Of course, I'll know where you are."

Asch nodded, then left, before Van could force him to do something else.

Van sighed. Asch did know how to be utterly insufferable.