There is more than one kind but- yes. I feel as though he'd benefit from a more constant, structured life where deviations are dealt with by a firm hand. Held to a code not by observation but the promise of penance.
[She watched him for a long, hard moment, her piercing eyes surveying him as if they could see through him.
Judging him.
Finally she let out another hard breath and frowned at the floor as she raised her comb back to her hair.]
He already keeps penance. He has a flog that he keeps for just such a purpose. It is not - I am not comfortable, with the idea. It was not a practice we used at my circle, and I do not have enough experience to trust myself with such an endeavour. But I - do not think it is wise, to suggest it to the... current leaders of the Order.
Of wood and rope that scars his back due to his personal negligence after the flogging. It is sloppy- and it is dangerous. Should those become infected they would do far more harm than even he might understand.
[ He stands firm under her judgement, eyes steady and hard and even against her gaze. In this he does not falter. ]
Someone to petition to them that his care be given to someone that understands what he needs. That is all I require. I have no authority with the Templars, no weight with which to make them listen.
... I do not think it would be wise, to petition them. I am - not wholly convinced that they fully comprehend his... condition. [She frowned.] I admit, neither do I, but they have given me authority over him, so I see no reason why you should have to petition higher than myself.
[She set the comb down and ran a hand through her hair.]
If his penance were discreet, and you had someone to recommend the treatment, and he agreed to it --
Edited (damn it programmers messing up my language skills) 2016-04-30 02:42 (UTC)
If yours is the only authority in this matter I must speak to, all the better. There are nuances here I am not at liberty to discuss but I understand him better than most.
[ The details of that are also something he does not wish to discuss. ]
Without coercion or intimidation. I offered, he accepted. He fled shortly thereafter and skipped our arranged meeting the next day where I might inspect his back and speak with him but I know what I saw. It worked. It helped him for the short while he permitted himself to accept it.
[She didn't like the sound of 'he fled and skipped the next meeting', and gave Zevran a sharp look to indicate that, but after he finished she nodded.]
... Very well. We shall speak with him, together. I see no reason that this should have to go beyond us. If I am satisfied that the penance is more effective than the observation, I shall relieve his current Tranquil companion of his duties.
But. [She looked up at Zevran, and her eyes were as hard as his had been.] If he has another incident, if he hurts someone while he was supposed to be under my care, I will take the public blame, but I will hold you personally responsible. I will not have him be executed for my mistake. I will expect you to give me another option. Do you understand?
It is not an easy thing to learn about oneself- especially with how such things are handled in the South.
[ Poorly. And then there is Cade's unique background to take into account and- Zevran cannot begrudge the man for being skittish. ]
Should this go the way I think I might- if we are able to impress upon him the weight and use of this method over the constant observation? I feel that he will be better able to recover rather than react. I have seen things like this before; the Crows have a way of handling such people- that is not what I intend to do.
[Nerva nodded with a sigh.] Yes, I agree. Very well, as soon
as I am able to arrange it, I will inform you.
[She took another sip of the tea before setting the mug down and
picking back up the comb. She ran it through her hair, catching on a tangle
and then making a face before holding out the comb for Zevran.]
[She turns to face the little mirror, obviously well used and
probably scavenged, with a sombre expression.]
He is always shaken. But in this case - he and I have an understanding
about it, already. I believe he will allow me to speak to him about it.
Whether or not he will reply, let alone agree to it, is impossible to say.
And there is nothing you can do to it, that it won't recover from, given
time.
What it needs is a trim and a proper conditioning. Next time you go to the hotsprings to bathe stop by my room first- I've some warmed oil you can comb through that will take care of it for you.
[ He works at the ends carefully, tugging the snagged tangle loose with slow strokes of the comb. ]
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A switching. [The word surprised her, and it took her a moment for her to catch up.]
... A flogging, you mean. Penance.
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Judging him.
Finally she let out another hard breath and frowned at the floor as she raised her comb back to her hair.]
He already keeps penance. He has a flog that he keeps for just such a purpose. It is not - I am not comfortable, with the idea. It was not a practice we used at my circle, and I do not have enough experience to trust myself with such an endeavour. But I - do not think it is wise, to suggest it to the... current leaders of the Order.
no subject
[ He stands firm under her judgement, eyes steady and hard and even against her gaze. In this he does not falter. ]
Someone to petition to them that his care be given to someone that understands what he needs. That is all I require. I have no authority with the Templars, no weight with which to make them listen.
no subject
... I do not think it would be wise, to petition them. I am - not wholly convinced that they fully comprehend his... condition. [She frowned.] I admit, neither do I, but they have given me authority over him, so I see no reason why you should have to petition higher than myself.
[She set the comb down and ran a hand through her hair.]
If his penance were discreet, and you had someone to recommend the treatment, and he agreed to it --
no subject
[ The details of that are also something he does not wish to discuss. ]
Without coercion or intimidation. I offered, he accepted. He fled shortly thereafter and skipped our arranged meeting the next day where I might inspect his back and speak with him but I know what I saw. It worked. It helped him for the short while he permitted himself to accept it.
no subject
... Very well. We shall speak with him, together. I see no reason that this should have to go beyond us. If I am satisfied that the penance is more effective than the observation, I shall relieve his current Tranquil companion of his duties.
But. [She looked up at Zevran, and her eyes were as hard as his had been.] If he has another incident, if he hurts someone while he was supposed to be under my care, I will take the public blame, but I will hold you personally responsible. I will not have him be executed for my mistake. I will expect you to give me another option. Do you understand?
no subject
[ Poorly. And then there is Cade's unique background to take into account and- Zevran cannot begrudge the man for being skittish. ]
Should this go the way I think I might- if we are able to impress upon him the weight and use of this method over the constant observation? I feel that he will be better able to recover rather than react. I have seen things like this before; the Crows have a way of handling such people- that is not what I intend to do.
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Very well. I will arrange it so that we can speak to him later. Privately. He has been... unwell. As many of us have been.
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[ He leans back against the window, arms crossed. ]
He has been tense the past few times I've seen him at a distance. The sooner we see this sorted, the better.
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[Nerva nodded with a sigh.] Yes, I agree. Very well, as soon as I am able to arrange it, I will inform you.
[She took another sip of the tea before setting the mug down and picking back up the comb. She ran it through her hair, catching on a tangle and then making a face before holding out the comb for Zevran.]
While you're here.
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[ It is no easy thing, what they discussed, what they did. Zevran is not often one for hope but perhaps in this? His skills might find use. ]
Oh? You are trusting me with your hair now? [ He takes the comb all the same, drawing his fingers gently through her hair. ]
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[She turns to face the little mirror, obviously well used and probably scavenged, with a sombre expression.]
He is always shaken. But in this case - he and I have an understanding about it, already. I believe he will allow me to speak to him about it. Whether or not he will reply, let alone agree to it, is impossible to say.
And there is nothing you can do to it, that it won't recover from, given time.
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[ He works at the ends carefully, tugging the snagged tangle loose with slow strokes of the comb. ]