How do you know? If I saved their lives, maybe they'd be so grateful I'd win their hearts! Not everyone is as ungrateful as y--... [He pauses.] --Er, some people.
... Hmph. Then they are fools for trusting in someone to save them for entirely altruistic motives--of which yours are clearly not, if you are looking for their gratitude.
[Raven doesn't know Stahn very well, but he'd have to agree on that one, too.]
Well, Yuri and Flynn are good kids to me, but they get me ta do things like bath their stinky dog, so...
[By Leon's definition, would that make them bad examples if they ask for things in return? Never mind that Raven offered and he kind of owed them one anyway. He grins and stops to think.]
I dunno, I've had a buncha people be nice to me here for no good reason. Maybe you're right and they're all linin' up to call in favours on old Raven any day now! [He doesn't actually think it's true, though.]
Perhaps they never do. Perhaps all they needed was the glory of being able to assist, or the pride of being able to be of use. But that does not change the fact that people who claim to be altruistic cannot be trusted.
[Leon's... pretty solidly sure on this one. It's just been because of his position, both in regards to his knighthood and his personal life, but he's always had people schmoozing up to him for ulterior motives.
It's hard for him to shake that thought process now.]
[Raven's expression becomes a little muted. If he didn't feel sorry for Leon before, he does now. Though of course he wouldn't show that sympathy, lest he be accused of looking down on him and pitying him.]
You're gonna suspect me no matter what, but I'll make things a little easier for ya -- I don't care about glory or pride or any of that stuff, so you can scratch 'em off the list. You get to my age, ya stop carin' about all that bunk.
[Probably for the better; Raven's learning how to deal with Leon fast. Either way, Leon's quiet for a moment as he processes that, before he simply huffs.]
Even so, do not expect me to depend on you for anything--I am more than capable of standing on my own.
[Still...his tone sounds a great deal less hostile than before.]
Sure, sure. I'm not the coddlin' type anyway. [He waves a hand dismissively. The less responsibility, the better.]
Although ta tell the truth, it does this old man's heart good ta see young knights gettin' on in the world. So maybe ya could call that my ulterior motive -- livin' vicariously through the youth of today!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
raven.
[Leon scoffs out at that, clearly unamused--sorry, Raven, you got a pretty princess who is more a jerk than anything (and also male, probably).]
I should have known you would have some nonsensical reason like that. It is not as though they will have any reason to thank you, you know.
no subject
How do you know? If I saved their lives, maybe they'd be so grateful I'd win their hearts! Not everyone is as ungrateful as y--... [He pauses.] --Er, some people.
[PHEW. Nice save.]
no subject
... Hmph. Then they are fools for trusting in someone to save them for entirely altruistic motives--of which yours are clearly not, if you are looking for their gratitude.
[Leon is the most suspicious of all, alas.]
no subject
[Like Yuri, or Flynn! ...Even if Yuri would probably grumble at being described in such a way.]
In fact, this city's got so many do-gooders and hero types, kinda makes me feel left out.
no subject
[Well, there's Stahn. Stahn is pure and good and would do anything for anyone without asking for anything in return, but...
Stahn is special.
Everyone else, though?]
They likely want something. It may come across as altruistic, but human beings do not do things for others without expecting something in return.
no subject
Well, Yuri and Flynn are good kids to me, but they get me ta do things like bath their stinky dog, so...
[By Leon's definition, would that make them bad examples if they ask for things in return? Never mind that Raven offered and he kind of owed them one anyway. He grins and stops to think.]
I dunno, I've had a buncha people be nice to me here for no good reason. Maybe you're right and they're all linin' up to call in favours on old Raven any day now! [He doesn't actually think it's true, though.]
no subject
[Leon's... pretty solidly sure on this one. It's just been because of his position, both in regards to his knighthood and his personal life, but he's always had people schmoozing up to him for ulterior motives.
It's hard for him to shake that thought process now.]
I am sick of it.
no subject
[Raven's expression becomes a little muted. If he didn't feel sorry for Leon before, he does now. Though of course he wouldn't show that sympathy, lest he be accused of looking down on him and pitying him.]
You're gonna suspect me no matter what, but I'll make things a little easier for ya -- I don't care about glory or pride or any of that stuff, so you can scratch 'em off the list. You get to my age, ya stop carin' about all that bunk.
no subject
Even so, do not expect me to depend on you for anything--I am more than capable of standing on my own.
[Still...his tone sounds a great deal less hostile than before.]
no subject
Although ta tell the truth, it does this old man's heart good ta see young knights gettin' on in the world. So maybe ya could call that my ulterior motive -- livin' vicariously through the youth of today!
no subject
Hmph. You are hardly so old as that--if you are so concerned with situations like that, you may as well do so on your own.
[Which... Raven was doing in saving other people.
They just came full circle and Leon didn't even realize.]
no subject
Wow, are ya that set on abandonin' me ta these robots? I already told ya, I really don't think gettin' by on my own is a good idea!
[Or a good idea for Leon, for all his bravado. Or a good idea for anyone, really.]
Just let me stick around. Pretty pleeease? [He'll even use his whiniest, most pathetic voice!]
no subject
If it will get you to shut up, you may tag along--but only then.
[Stop talking.
(Cruel irony.)]