The Chained Watcher

To Give or to Keep

~~~

About ten minutes after Grian left, he came back, eyes flicking to the money bag Scar had put back on its hook, then back to him. "So..." He drags a chair over to sit opposite him, not looking at the baby water elemental playing around in the tubes of an inactive brewing stand. "I got the jist of it earlier, but could you explain again how you ended up with what looked like half the hitmen in that entire underground market out for your head?"

Scar winces. "Was it that bad?" Grian just nods, feeling a little... colder than usual. Not as cold as when he came to his rescue, but he still feels a little unhappy with something. Not sure whether he's unhappy with Scar or with the people who tried to kill him though. "Okay, that bad, got it."

Grian watches him for a second, then closes his eyes, letting out a weary sigh. "I'm not mad at you, I'm just... still a little stressed out by how many people were trying to kill you. Watchers are more stressful, since they're more likely to figure out a way around the bracelets, but I promised Jimmy and Martyn I would try to solve any non-Watcher problems without violence. There are still a bunch of people who, of sound mind and body, tried to end your life. And even if it was something you did that drew their ire, I know that it's not because you tried to pick a fight."

His words send a chill down his spine. It's an admission. If Grian had it his way, the people who tried to kill him would be dead. All of them.

Not meeting Grian's eyes, Scar admits, "I knew I was gonna make a lot of people mad when I bought the elemental. I had a guide I hired, and they warned me that the alchemists there wouldn't be happy if I won."

His weary expression deepens. "Of course you did. I don't know why I expected anything else." Scar's shoulders pull in guiltily. "Look... I'm not going to tell you you're not allowed to go anywhere or do anything, but please, for my own peace of mind, don't go alone..."

"I won't go alone again, I promise."

"Good." Grian smiles, leaning over to ruffle his hair. "Do you want some time to rest before we decide what to do with your little friend here? It's not a pressing issue, even if I'd prefer it be handled sooner rather than later."

Scar looks at the happy little elemental, feeling conflicted. On one hand, he already loves the little guy. It's just so cute! But on the other hand, he hasn't got the slightest idea how to care for an elemental. He can already confidently say that he can't make magic water out of nothing for it to eat. Beyond that though, what kind of place do water elementals live in? The deep ocean? Any body of water? Does he need to put little rivers all around his base if he keeps it? How much space does a water elemental need for sleeping? Do they even sleep???

No, he just doesn't know enough. Not if he wants to take proper care of the baby elemental. Trying to keep it despite knowing that he's not able to take care of it would be irresponsible and neglectful. "I..." Even if he really wants to bring it home with him... "I shouldn't keep it. I don't know anything about elementals, how would I take care of it? I don't want to hurt it by messing up and putting something dangerous for it somewhere it could get hurt."

Grian's smile gains a hint of pride. "That's a very mature decision. If the person I'm thinking of accepts, I can make a paired long-distance communication device for you that should let you talk to the elemental whenever we end up on the same plane. That way you can still keep in touch every once in a while."

Some of Scar's reluctance fades. "I'll hold you to that."

"Alright. So, you wanna go now?"

He nods, though he's tempted to delay to keep the elemental longer. "Yeah... I'm gonna get attached if I don't go now."