❝ if you’re going to be the death of me, that’s how i wanna go. ❞
"Sartauvoir.....?" Menenius blinked since that wasn't at all ominous as the younger elezen frowned a bit as he spoke up after the mage. "No one is going to die, you hear me?! All of us came to Bozja together and we're leaving together after we have won!"
From what he knew of black mages after being given a brief lesson by Sartauvoir himself decades prior, they needed to balance the flames with the ice since fire took more energy, the more powerful it became. Then again, Sartauvoir had always been the exception as he's been the pyro mage, strongest in fire magic then anything else. But also knowing that Sartauvoir was going to risk his life to summon such flames to aid him and possibly not come out of this alive..... how could one even go forward with it? But with his hand grabbing Sartauvoir's arm, peach eyes glared at the older even though he knew was wasting precious time. His own ears dropped as he listened to the other speak up, there were times like these that he wished he could be that rem again and ask the others for advice on what to do in a situation like this?
Hell, what would Lyon do?! He would have his beast carry those to safety if possible but Menenius didn't have that luxury since all the machines that were build were right now preparing to defend the ship from the intruders. And he couldn't ask Noah for aid since the call wouldn't get to the other in time for him to respond appropriately. But breathing out a sigh as he let go of Sartauvoir's arm, Menenius frowned since damn it. "Your not simply an old man Sartauvoir.... you're one of the few that I go to for advice and one of the few friendships that I'm glad to have made." Closing his eyes, Menenius sighed out more as he then opened them once more knowing that he really was going to allow this to happen.
"As your commander..... do it for the Legion's future and your own. As someone who considers you a close friend......" With that, Menenius stepped closer as he gave the older elezen a tight hug though was careful with the armor so that it didn't accidentally injure Sartauvoir. "Do this for Basch and do this so that you can make it out with me and Lyon when we win back against the Resistance."
Sartauvoir was many things. He was sadistic, cruel, eccentric, prideful, but he was more than the monster the resistance and the empire made him out to be. And the gentle sincere smile said that. He was all those things, yes, but he had something worth protecting too, worth preserving, worth defending... And he'll be damned if he let it be taken away from them. He wasn't going let those thirty damn years go to waste. Not on his watch! Basch entrusted his dream, his passion, his mission...to him...he needed to protect it, no matter what. He needed to protect his home...his family...And he will...
But to see Menenius so uneasy...so uncertain...to question his own leadership and power... "And you are no simple man yourself, Commander...You are Menenius sas Lanatus, a commander under Noah and caretaker of the IVth, you must stay strong, not just for yourself, but for your men." Do...do not make this harder on his boy, he won't die...not that easy...
However, being commanded, the elezen steps back and gives him a bow. "As you wish ser. I will do your bidding..." Their bidding...Basch's bidding... But what came next, Sartauvoir did not expect, To be hugged, to be clung to... One pale ice-blue eye widens before softening as the elder looks over. Gently, he sighs. "Menenius...you are not the small little confused lad, lost in such a big world, bigger than he could possibly comprehend and exist in. You have become a fine man, a man our Lord Basch would be proud of, a leader he would be proud of, as I am... A man who has found his place in the world and made the world bend and learn your name...So ser... raise your head up high and proud. For all is not lost, and your men need the Leader you are truly meant to be, the Leader and man you truly are... A man I am honored to serve...a man I am honored to have as my friend..." Gently, he rests a hand on the younger's back for a moment before gently pulling away. "I should get going, for the flames of battle will not start themselves. But fear not. I shall return before you truly come to miss this old man's presence." With this, he gives Menenius a beaming warm smile.
