PSL: For Hermann

[not_kenway]

Ratonhnhaké:ton had left Hermann safely in his locked up apartment, sleeping off the massage and hopefully getting a decent night's rest without his body screaming pain at him.

he slipped back into his routine. Late nights out on rooftops, sleeping not really enough hours to get up and train and get on with his day.

He didn't contact Hermann. He didn't know when Hermann would be comfortable with seeing him again, so he would wait for him to make contact.

Comments

[not_kenway]

Connor parroted the words back, copying Hermann's accent more than his natural tendency in German.

"That is one thing I have found surprising from many who come further ahead in time than myself. Most speak only one language. Maybe two."

[orthogonal]

He nodded his head with approval, before turning back to the food. The sausages were ready, so he turned off the heat, and plated them, then going to plate the potato pancakes as well, as soon as they were golden brown on both sides.

"Well, it was a matter of education, really. As the nobility started to thin out, the middle class rose, but they couldn't afford lessons in multiple languages. So most people only learn one or two now."

[not_kenway]

"... I know no nobility. My education is Latin and Arabic was provided by the Brotherhood... well, by Achilles, but German and French were necessary for interacting with colonists. And I was raised bilingual. My mother was fluent in English as well."

He offered to take the plates, to give Hermann free hands for at least the walking cane.

[orthogonal]

She lets him take the plates, before her lips curving up at the corners. "You're a man of the world, my friend. And I am certain I have told you a time or two ... brilliant. Your mother must have been of equal genius."

He turned off the oven, gesturing for the man to carry the plates to his table, as he went to follow while hobbling on his cane.

[not_kenway]

Connor smiled slightly, ducking his head and taking the plates. As had been evidenced earlier, he coped poorly with compliments. He never knew how to respond because he had had them so infrequently in his life.

"My mother was an amazing woman. She fought the Templars, slavers. so even managed to form an alliance of peoples for a short time to combat the soldiers who were attacking our peoples. Oiá:ner, my clan mother, despaired at Ista's insistence that we could no longer afford to not be involved and simply ignore the colonists."

He goes quiet suddenly, the brief lightness in his voice darkening. "And now I know she was right. Our future is... bleak."

[orthogonal]

"Well ... you never know. Your world could end up like mine, with gigantic space lizards coming through the ocean, and you get your land back by default considering how precious land is." Hermann stated, giving his fiend a wry smile as he shifted to take a seat at the table. "You shall make a better world, because you want it to be better, my friend."

[not_kenway]

Connor took a breath, paused and then canted his head, considering it.

"Yes, I suppose that could happen. After all, I am here, am I not? And that, perhaps, is far stranger."

And, Hermann has managed to draw Connor's smile back.

[orthogonal]

Which, amazingly enough, was the plan all along. Hermann nodded his head.

"Good. Now sit down and eat your dinner before it gets cold and congealed."

[not_kenway]

Connor gave another pleased smile, a soft 'hn' and nodded, tucking into the plate of food.

There was no hesitation, or tentative first nibbles. He starts eating, chewing slowly and thoroughly and sighing softly, eyes closing with obvious enjoyment.

[orthogonal]

Hermann didn't say anything, but he did smile into his own plate as the other man dug in. Then he snapped his fingers, pushing himself up.

"Forgot the apple sauce and sour cream - most important for the pancakes."

[not_kenway]

"Do you want me to get them?" He would offer, since this was his apartment, but he wasn't going to insist. Insisting with hermann seemed a sure fire way to get his hackles up.

[orthogonal]

"No, no, don't even think of it." He waved his hand, as he stood slowly and carefully. "Enjoy your sausages - this will only take me a moment."

Well, several moments, but he still has this.

[not_kenway]

Connor hummed and continued eating, perfectly content to let Hermann go and get the condiments. The man had a disability, he didn't need coddling or condescending to.

"This is as delicious as it smelt. Possibly moreso."

[orthogonal]

Hermann beamed as he returned, putting the applesauce and the sour cream in front of Connor, before hobbling back to his own chair.

"Oh good, good. I had my worries, I can tell you, but this seems to have worked out quite well."

[not_kenway]

"Danke" He dunked his head and loaded up on both before sliding them over to Hermann's side for him to help himself.

"It is very good. Clearly, I will need to make myself useful more often if this is the form of your gratitude."

[orthogonal]

"Bitte."

He himself loaded his own plate, before looking thoughtful at the offer. "Well, I certainly won't complain. I haven't been in this little pain in ages."

[not_kenway]

"I am happy to come and help you any time you would like. I have... frustratingly few commitments here."

For someone raised from a teenager to always be doing four or five things at once, the pace of life in Eudio is difficult at best.

[orthogonal]

He arched an eyebrow at that, before he looked more thoughtful.

"Well ... if that is the case, I could use the help. I am getting into some fairly intensive work now with my research and I do not want pain to pull me down."

[not_kenway]

"How often would you like me to come around?" He meant it when he said that he had no real obligations.

[orthogonal]

"Would once every few days be too much of an imposition? I do not want to put you out ... " He was trying his best to be frank with the other man. Connor had earned it.

[not_kenway]

"Every third day? Every second?" He was trying to emphasise how much he did not mind doing it. He liked feeling helpful and useful and it was something he struggled with here.

[orthogonal]

Well ... the man was apparently very eager to help. Herman cleared his throat, and smiled crookedly. "Every third day would be more than fine, thank you, my friend."

[not_kenway]

He would offer than he thought Hermann wanted, so he wouldn't have to ask. Or worse, not ask because his pride was a strong and unyielding thing.

"I am happy to help. Grateful you will let me."

[orthogonal]

His pride is not an unyielding thing! ... All right, so it is, but still.

"Well ... it isn't often I get such a ... kind offer. You are a good soul, Connor."

[not_kenway]

Connor nodded slightly, ducking his head. "Thank you. You are kind to say such."

For him, what he did was no stain on his soul. He killed people. It was the way of his world. A lot of people killed each other in war.

"Maybe, it is also selfish. I do not want to fail at what I am here for. Am I am, failing. So you are helping me, also."