Battlefield Etiquette

[idontneedluck]

Chirrut is in a temper.

Winter is coming for NiJedha, crouching at its door, and the desert wind blows shrill over the city. The pitch makes meditation an impossibility for Chirrut, making him tetchy, making him restless. He's been in the training hall all day, taking challenger after challenger. Those around him are growing wary of his fey mood, and the challenges are coming slower. This... is not helping matters.

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[iprotectyou]

"All healed up," Eiko murmurs, watching him. She pedals backwards to get back to her stool, unwilling to turn her back on him. Her frame is as tense as his is.

Baze sees the exchange between them and sighs through his nose. He knows Chirrut and he both damaged Eiko's trust in them, and will have to rebuild it--which will take time. But they all have time.

"Come now, Chirrut," he says, clapping his friend on the back with the ease of their many years of friendship. "The tea is going to get cold."

Baze crosses to his stool and settles his bulk on it. "Master Sheotar has been considering putting us all on cleaning duties again. Specifically, all the mats and floors in the training hall."

[idontneedluck]

Chirrut follows, more slowly.

"You are still being punished?" He asks as he takes his seat, his tone doleful. He doesn't dare voice dissent (he has been given more grace already than he has earned), but... it grinds on him that it is so.

"Speaking of which..." There is pain grating in his tone, but he bears it. He must. It's of his own making. "Eiko, we will need to see which of the other Guardians can take up your training. At least for the next little while."

[iprotectyou]

"No!" Eiko says, and Baze sits up straight at the anguish in her tone, despite the sling. Eiko's bottom lip quivers, and her voice is tremulous when she speaks. "I refuse. I won't be trained by anyone but you. I'll... I'll just suspend my training!"

"Eiko, you don't know for how long that will be," Baze says, laying his working hand on her shoulder. "And Master Sheotar--"

"I don't care," Eiko says, shaking him off. She glares at Chirrut, tears welling in her eyes. "How could you even think of abandoning me?"

[idontneedluck]

"I am not abandoning you." He retorts, steel flashing in his tone for a moment. He huffs out a breath, and rubs the back of his neck with his hands.

"I failed you. Do you understand? A student should never fear for her life from her teacher." His voice drops, ground gravel rattling with every word. "Besides, most likely I won't be allowed to spar until the wind changes - that will be months. You shouldn't be idle for that long, muscle memory will fade."

[iprotectyou]

Eiko folds her arms and sits back. She's not pouting, not exactly, but it's clear she's severely displeased with Chirrut's decision. She doesn't protest any further, however. She simply chooses to look away as she grinds out, "Yes, teacher."

"I will teach her," Baze says, snaking his hand under the sling strap to lay a hand on his heart. "I'm not as good as you are, Chirrut, but we can at least review the basics."

Eiko sniffs once. "All right. Thank you, Baze."

Baze nods. "Is that acceptable, Chirrut?"

[idontneedluck]

"Put your hand back, you bantha." Chirrut huffs. He doesn't know what to do with this, still. He was expecting a united front against him, not... this.

"Yes, that will be acceptable." They're ridiculous. Ridiculous and sentimental and...

He huffs again for good measure, pressing his fingers against the base of his skull in a vain attempt to stave off the headache building.

[iprotectyou]

Baze slides Chirrut's now-cooled, earthenware teacup over to him. "The tea is cold, because we just had to have a discussion," Baze teases, light-hearted despite his two loved ones' clear distress. Chirrut is back, and Baze has already forgiven him. Sure, things are rough now, but they'll get better. They always do.