Keeping The Peace

[Amir Barteau]

Amir loved helping others. There was almost a need to it. Whenever he saw someone in pain or upset it was like a magnetic draw to care for them. Even if they wouldn't talk the least he could do was make them feel calm for a little bit. Though he was well aware that someone like him wasn't exactly welcome in Teronna anymore. Luckily his...gift wasn't as noticeable. Most people seemed to just assume he was kind and gentle.

During the days particular walk he was making his way past a group of training soldiers. It was at least a little fascinating to watch them work. Something about watching the men move with such precision was interesting. Though he'd never be apart of it himself. The idea of hurting others made his skin crawl. That train of thought was cut when some yelling coming from near by.

Amir blinked, a bit startled, then followed the noise. Someone was hurting. When he got to the two men he took a deep breath and let the calm ripple through him like water. "Excuse me, gentlemen." One of the men snapped his head toward Amir and snarled for a moment before his face fell into what was almost confusion. "Is there something I can help with?"

[Orion]

Logan Baird never liked training at the edge of the city. But the captain liked to see them all pack for travel. He supposed that was part of the training too, seeing how fast they could be ready. As Royal Guards, their main focus was the castle, but should the King of the Princess decide to make a foray out into the world, then they needed to be ready to move with them. They weren't here to protect a chunk of stone after all but to protect the people in it.

The group was small, just a fraction of those guarding the royal family. Most were sparring while Captain Arcturis grudgingly imparted guidance and advise, mostly by way of example or physically moving people.

At the moment, the fatherly guard was taking a pleasant and much earned water break. Or at least he was trying to. On of the other men shoved him in the back as he made to drink from his water skin, splashing it down the front of his uniform instead. Baird rolled his eyes. It was like working with toddlers. He had a couple of those, so it was hard to be mad. "Thanks I needed a bath," he said, not intending to make an issue out of it.

"Someone smell wet dog?" the man behind him mocked. Not a new voice. One of the younger men had taken offense to his friendly working relationship with the captain. Maybe he thought Baird was in his way for promotion. He was probably right, but harassing him wouldn't help.

Baird sighed and turned around. "What can I do for ya, Murphy?"

Murphy smirked. "Sound like a dog too. Yer cute, Baird, y'know?"

He was used to the general poking. He folded his arms patiently. "You got a point?"

"Ya think yer special?" Ah, so this was definitely about a promotion. "Cause ya gots kids an' a pretty wife and the captain's attention." Baird stiffened a little. There was a certain part of that he wasn't okay with, but his wife came first.

"Blake's not into your type, if that's what yer gettin' at?" He suggested it in a good-natured teasing manner. Like he and Murphy were buddies. He was tempted to suggest Sebastian wasn't the man's type either, but he didn't think the young man would get it. The captain was...quite a piece of work and sometimes Baird wasn't sure how much of a friend the captain considered him.

That apparently was taking it too far. Murphy's hands flashed to his collar and Baird chuckled as the man dragged him forward slightly. He just wanted a drink...

"We'll see. Maybe I take her an replace the daughter you-" Baird's fist connected with his face. If the harassment had ended with off color suggestions about his wife, the man could handle that. Blake would make a fuss if he got himself into fights that easily. But the mention of his deceased daughter was more than enough to earn a black eye. Murphy grunted and pulled him tighter, grinning. "Oh, the puppy has some fire," he sneered, his turn to tease, shoving Baird away from him.

He wasn't going to give up that easily. "You don't talk about my Ainsleigh, ya bastard!" Baird shouted. It was enough to draw a little attention from all over.

Which was just about where the long haired stranger showed up. He probably saved Murphy from a broken jaw and more embarrassment. Murphy snarled at the stranger and then hesitated.

Baird didn't look at the newcomer, glaring at his fellow guard. "Yeah. Yeah, you can help by holding him down," he growled, moving to close the gape between him and his...well, he had been his assailant until a moment ago, but now Murphy was the victim.

[Amir Barteau]

Something was clearly much more wrong with the other man than he'd originally thought. The idea of holding the soldier down, who was already working on a black eye, didn't sound incredibly appealing. Instead Amir did something that most people would have considered rather stupid. Incredibly stupid.

He stepped in between the two men with his hands up and a warm smile. "My name is Amir Barteau. What's yours?" He hoped being closer to the more aggravated one would help him calm down. While Amir wasn't entirely sure what had happened he had a feeling the soldier behind him was the instigator.

"Solider, it might be safer for you to scurry off now." Murphy grumbled behind him but did take a few steps back. Amir kept his attention on the man in front of him as he lowered his hands to his side. As aggressive as they could be working with soldiers provided a much more interesting challenge. They expressed their emotions a lot differently than most people.

[Orion]

Baird wasn't a mean person. In fact, he wouldn't describe himself as aggressive or angry either, but if there was one thing that sent him that direction it was talking about his family. Especially his children. Especially the ones he had lost. Especially Ainsleigh.

Still, he was in control of his rage. Mostly. Maybe not when it happened, but he wasn't about to plow through an innocent bystander. Probably. Especially since Murphy didn't instigate further. The guard stopped himself, though he came all the way up to Amir's warding hands. He took one deep breath and then another, glaring at Murphy.

"Logan," he said, trying his best to focus on the stranger in front of him. "Logan Baird." He leaned back slightly, brushing a hand through his hair and tearing his gaze from the prick. He'd never seen this Amir before. The man didn't look or sound like he was from Ethion at least. He stepped back when Murphy did and straightened his collar. So maybe yelling at the guy hadn't been a great move. He flexed his fingers and winced, looking over his hand. Neither had punching him in the face. But it had felt pretty good and he wasn't about to apologize.

He watched Murphy continue to grumble and back away. He spat on the dirt before turning away. Baird watched him the whole way, chest still heaving. "Prick," he mumbled, mostly to himself, aware he would be overheard. He didn't care.

[Amir Barteau]

Amir was a pacifist. He wouldn't ever fight someone unless his life absolutely depended on it. Which up to this point it thankfully hadn't. Still, that didn't mean he hadn't taken a fair share of punches. While he wouldn't go actively searching them out he wasn't afraid of being hit. Sometimes that helped people get out their aggression.

"It's nice to meet you, Logan." With the other soldier gone Amir was able to give his undivided attention to the one in front of him. Watching the way he flexed his fingers and winced made him hold out his own hand. "May I see?" Physical pains were easier to take care of but they also often helped relieve some mental ones as well. Though he'd understand if the man wasn't exactly in the mood to be touched.

The insult to the other soldier didn't go past him but he didn't say anything. The other solider may very well have been a prick for all he knew. "Could I ask what happened?" This didn't seem like just a misunderstanding or a spar gone wrong.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

"Uh, yeah. Nice ta meet ya too, Amir," he said. "Thanks..." Baird didn't care all that much for Murphy, and while it might feel really good in the moment to beat the snot out of him, he wasn't the problem. The guard knew he would regret it later anyway. So it was probably a good thing Amir was so willing to step in the middle.

Baird offered his hand at the man's request but he wasn't sure there was much that needed to be done for it. He wasn't in the habit of punching people in the face was all.

"You can. Was taking a cheap shot at me on account of my daughter. She...died last year." Maybe that didn't answer every question but that wasn't his goal. Baird didn't mind talking about it. But it still hurt. Not so much right now, but he attributed that to getting out some of his frustration with the hit.

"What happened?" The pair were quietly joined by another who had heard the commotion and then seen Murphy slinking away. Captain Arcturis had offered to help the other man first, considering he was clearly in pain, but he had opted to not bare his injury or his transgressions on the topic so the captain had continued. He was honestly surprised to see Baird was the other participant. That wasn't usual of the man's temperament.

Baird nearly jumped at Sebastian's voice beside him but relaxed just as quickly. "S'all shiny, sir." He glanced from Sebastian to Amir. "My new friend Amir here saved Murphy from an ass kicking."

"Saved both of you, I suspect." Because regardless of the why, he would have disciplined both men. He'd still have to. They were supposed to fight together, not fight against each other.

Baird rolled his eyes. The captain was too existential sometimes.

[Amir Barteau]

Amir wasn't exactly a doctor but he'd treated enough injuries to know his way around. When Logan offered his hand there wasn't anything terribly wrong with it. "If you must throw a punch I would suggest focusing in with your first two knuckles and aim for the jaw rather than the eye or cheek. It's more effective and will deal you personally the least amount of pain." He smiled up at the man again and released his hand after the short examination. "If your hand gets too sore submerge it into warm water."

When he heard the man had brought up Logans dead daughter the smile quickly dropped from his face. "I'm so sorry, that's awful. I can't imagine how you must feel." Though he'd never had a child to lose himself Amir had helped too many parents deal with the loss of their child. His heart ached for them. No parent should have to bury their child.

The sound of a new voice caused his attention to snap over. It seemed the commotion attracted a little more attention. "My names Amir Barteau, it's nice to meet you." By the way the man spoke and held himself, and the way Logan addressed him, Amir assumed this was the mens captain. "If I might make a suggestion. It might be in your best interest to teach your men not to bring up dead children."

"And teach them how to throw a proper punch." He turned his eyes back to Logan in a hopes to lighten the mood.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Baird smiled as Amir explained how to throw a punch. The soldier was familiar. He'd chosen his aim on purpose. Still, he accepted the lecture with an amused and gentle patience, even nodding once or twice. He had young children at home who enjoyed explaining how to do this and that as they worked out things for themselves. Ainsleigh especially had been quite interested in combat and being a knight and had given her father quite a few riding and sword lessons in her day. It was impossible to be upset in the moment.

He withdrew his hand and rubbed the back of his neck with it gingerly. "I can't imagine how ta 'splain how I feel sometimes," he said awkwardly. He'd lost a child before, in childbirth. But that happened sometimes. So did accidents, he supposed. But Ainsleigh's death hadn't been an accident. If it had, he might have been able to cope better. OR maybe he wouldn't have been able to cope at all. Still...Baird and his wife hadn't thought they would be alive to say they had just as many living children as dead ones. It made him feel like a failure sometimes. To his children and to his wife.

While Baird was generally pleasant and conversational and liked to know names, Bastian did not. He hardly glanced at Amir. Grateful for the intercession, he didn't tell the man to get lost. But he certainly didn't care very much who Amir was. He cared even less for the stranger when he took it upon himself to tell him how to conduct himself.

Baird shifted, glancing back at Amir with a 'quit while you're ahead' look, but it was a little too late. He winced at the mention of dead children and raised both hands placating toward both men at the notion of proper punches. Baird understood the man was joking. Baird also understood Bastian would not understand the jokes. "Amir's jokin', sir. Ya don't need to demonstrate how ta do so on 'is face."

Bastian raised an eyebrow at both of them. Amir's assumptions rubbed him the wrong way. Baird's would have if he didn't know the man. The captain wasn't prone to anger or exaggeration of that nature and Baird knew it. Which...meant that was a joke. He snorted, a smile flashing across his features. "If you would like to make official suggestions, you must enlist." There, see, he could be funny. Not that his tone sounded anything other than serious.

The older guardsman turned to Amir and grinned. "He's also jokin'."

"It is not a joke if you have to say as much, Baird."

"Yer sense o' humor is quite right, sir."

[Amir Barteau]

Amir wasn't entirely sure what the look was that Logan gave to him. Facial expressions were sometimes hard to read but when he spoke he understood a bit better. Had he said something to make the other man upset? If he was that quickly angered there were some problems he needed to work on. The captain certainly didn't seem upset though so it still left him confused.

When he smiled though Amir couldn't help but smile as well. Trying to normally interact with people was strange. It made him feel lost. Out of his element. Still, it was important to get out and interact with people. Without analyzing them or trying to help them. The suggestion to enlist made him chuckle and shake his head. "I don't think you'd want someone like me in your ranks."

As he spoke a fairly large owl swooped down and landed on Amirs shoulder. "Beau! There you are, you naughty bird." He teased sweetly as he affectionately pet at the owls chest. With a smile he turned his attention back to the men.

"I think your sense of humor is fine."

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Sebastian had a lot of problems. Most of them he didn't recognize, either because he overlooked them or because he would simply rather deny they were problems. It had gotten him this far. Just...not with a sense of humor that fit nicely into most people's definition of funny.

Baird, on the other hand, got the feeling almost immediately from Amir's look that the man had some of his captain in him somewhere. That sort of maladjusted eagerness that meant well but sometimes missed the mark. Seriously, Sebastian was worse than his toddlers sometimes. Heaven forbid he never have to have a deep discussion of morality with the man ever again. Once was enough.

"Someone like what?" Sebastian asked. It was all Baird could do to not put his hand to his face in a mix of resignation and amusement. He rested his hands on his belt instead for something to distract himself. Well, he supposed he didn't know what Amir meant either but...he worried that might be a little too personal a question.

The older guard blinked at the appearance of the bird and both men took half steps back in alarm as the feathery beast alighted on Amir's shoulder. "Nice animal y'ave there," Baird said, quick to recover his sense of humor. "Beautiful, actually," he added, making the pun and purposely not putting emphasis on it because that would be too much. He glanced at the captain who frowned subconsciously.

Sebastian didn't much care for birds. Well, animals in general, he supposed. At least owls were predatory creatures, so he could approve of that. Still...he definitely didn't want someone like Amir around, if that meant 'someone who keeps birds as pets.' "'Beautiful?'" he repeated, keeping his disgust to himself. He glanced at Baird and then seemed to realize the joke and rolled his eyes.

[Amir Barteau]

The way the men reacted to Beau landing on Amir out of nowhere wasn't uncommon. It was rather terrifying to suddenly see a predatory creature flying towards you. Had it been any other bird even he might have been startled but this wasn't just any bird. This was his bestfriend. Beau nuzzled his beak to the side of Amirs head affectionately and nipped at his hair.

"Someone with an owl for one." He stated teasingly at the captains reactions. Though it hadn't occurred to him that his statement could have been taken in a different way. Sexuality wasn't entirely something Amir understood. Given that he'd never found himself attracted to anyone. Ever. There was a part of him that worried he was broken. That there was something wrong with him. He'd never wanted to be involved with anyone.

"I'm also a pacifist. I don't think I'd do very well in the military." Just because Amir knew how to fight didn't mean he wanted to. The idea of hurting people went directly against everything he was trying to accomplish. "I love helping people though."

[Sebastian Arcturis]

It was less terror and more confusion. Both men had been through a lot. An owl was hardly terror inducing.

Someone with an owl. Well, that answered that question that Bastian hadn't asked and didn't care to know. He raised an eyebrow. What the hell did owls have to do with being a soldier? They had messenger and scout birds that soldiers handled. They might even have some trained owls for all Sebastian knew. Even had he assumed any other meaning, he wasn't interested in the stranger. He was weird, but that was hardly a reason to engage in conversation.

Baird, however, thought the bird was wonderful, and he stood by his note that Beau was beautiful. "I don't know, captain, I think I would look dashing with an owl."

The captain gave him a flat look but didn't say anything.

"Plenty of pacifists in the military," Baird noted excitedly. "Healers mostly." Perfect for someone who liked to help people, in his opinion. "Maybe you can help him not be so grumpy."

Sebastian folded his arms, having reached his breaking point with this conversation. Clearly someone had aggravated Baird. The guy needled him often, but not nearly so directly. Luckily, unlike what Baird's looks might have suggestion, Bastian wasn't a very angry person. Or a very emotional one. "Sounds like you are fine, Baird. Do not punch anyone else," he warned. The captain glanced from Baird to Amir and then turned back to the rest of the men who were training.

[Amir Barteau]

"Owls are rather magnificent creatures." He cooed as he scratched affectionately at Beaus chest. The bird flapped his wings a bit as he closed his eyes then moved to nuzzle at his humans hand. When he'd heard that they had healers in their ranks it made sense but Amir still had to chuckle and shake his head. "I'm a healer but not of the physical kind." He was never really sure what to call his line of work. It was healing after all but more for the mind than the body. That concept seemed to confuse some people.

"Though I do believe I have already helped some of your men." He stated softly as he looked at the faces of some of the men. They certainly looked familiar but all seemed father caught up in their work to notice him. The mention that he might be able to help the captain not be so grumpy made him tilt his head slightly in confusion. "There's nothing inherently wrong with someone being 'grumpy'." He said flatly.

"Unless there's some other underlying issues that one might be trying to cover up with anger or numbness because they don't otherwise know how to handle their problems."

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Neither man knew what to say to a healer who wasn't a physical healer. Sebastian obviously didn't understand and wasn't interested in understanding. Baird, on the other hand, was clearly curious but still not sure how ro ask. Both let the comment go unanswered.

"Really?" Baird glanced back at the sparring matches. "That's...great." He looked back at Amir and narrowed his eyes in concern. "It's not magic, is it?"

Baird was one hundred percent positive there was something wrong with being grumpy. He shrugged noncommitally, his joking disagreement clear. Of course, he did like Sebastian, grumpiness included and he did realize he was pushing a little heavy considering the guy didn't know how to banter back.

The captain one hundred percent ignored the owl guy and his friend and was already starting toward one of the pairs to show a young woman that she could, in fact, throw her weight around and knock a man with one hundred pounds on her to the dirt. Sebastian had no qualms being that demonstration either once she understood where to aim.

Baird drank in Amir's words, offering a soft and thoughtful "huh," when he finished. "'Numbness' sounds 'bout right. Only I dunno him that well. I mean, I do, just...he doesn't talk about himself." To anyone. He caught himself staring at the training session and blushed for some reason and then looked back to Amir. "So...what do you heal, exactly, if not...physical injuries?"

[Amir Barteau]

When asked if he was using magic Amirs eyes widened a bit in surprise before he shook his head. "No, no that's not it." At least that wasn't all of it. If he used his ability to help ease a persons mind so they could calmly talk about what was bothering them was that so bad? People needed to get things off their chest and sometimes the chaos in their mind stopped that from happening. Amir just helped quiet that chaos for a moment.

Amir watched the man move off to help a woman in her training. That is until his eyes caught the look on the others face. Did he have feelings for his captain? Was romantic? Or simply intimate? Did he himself even know? Those were feelings he'd never personally understood. He'd never been romantically involved or even attracted to anyone. That was his own demon to deal with. Wondering if he were broken. If there was something wrong with him. Still, he shook those thoughts from his mind.

When asked what he healed if not physical injuries Amir let out a small laugh. "Well I can patch up others or myself in a pinch but I'm certainly no healer there." He thought for a moment on how to explain what he did then let out a soft hum.

"I heal peoples minds. Injuries that don't show on the surface. I've helped people grieving over the loss of a partner, parents over the loss of a child, soldiers who've seen unspeakable things in the battlefield, children who were abused or abandoned by their parents, you name it." He tilted his head a bit as he remembered why he'd began talking to the man in the first place. How he'd said that he'd lost his child not long ago.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"