You failed (Rai/Kiyr)

[Mathew Amtrum]

Time was up and neither apprentice had brought him the items he had sent them after. He felt a mix of emotions at that, more than he thought he would. He was surprised for one, that both of them seemed to have failed for whatever reason, and that neither of them had come to him first with their failure, despite the extra time. He was disappointed in both of them, they had been given a goal, something to strive for.

A Dragon would have found a way to meet that goal. Even if it was challenging, even with setbacks beyond their control. That was the point of the test, whether or not they got that, he didn't know.

And finally he was angry, angry that they failed in general, and angry that he would now have to keep his word and punish them. While he had a creative punishment for the loser, the fact that both of them lost would mean he would go with something a bit more basic. Messages had been sent to both of his apprentices via carrier pigeon with three simple words.

My house, now.

And Mathew was there outside in the stone courtyard, legs crossed under him and eyes shut. He was trying to meditate while he awaited them, to find some tranquility before the punishment. Otherwise he might just kill them.

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai would be the first to show up wearing the headband. He was hesitant about this meeting but he was not about to decline his master and audience...

Rose had followed Rai without his knowledge. He had asked her not to come but she couldn't leave him unprotected especially when he looked so worried. She now staid in the shadows across the street where she could see what was happening and not be seen while doing so.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Rai may have been the first one to show up, but Kyrie was the first to sit after materializing from the shadows.

She sat on her folded legs, head bowed, waiting. She couldn't describe the shame she felt. There were no words she could say - that she wanted to say - to appease Mathew. She'd failed to return with the plate before Raikotsu returned with his headband.

At the GM's behest, however, the breastplate of the late Apollo was right next to her, and she shifted it onto her lap. Silent but quite calm.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He didn't stir from his position when he felt his apprentices approach him. And his eyes remained closed as he tried to control his breathing. He waited for both of them to get settled before he spoke to both of them, and neither of them in particular.

"Explain why you failed."

[Kyrie Blaze]

"There is no explanation I can give you as to why I failed that would satisfy you. The facts are as stated: I failed. As per the terms of your task, I am to be punished for my own lack of skill in this duty you charged me with...and I accept that, now, as I had when you told me what I had to do for you."

That hadn't changed.

She could do no less. She looked up as she spoke, just slightly, but lowered her gaze as she came to her conclusion.

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai like Kiyr had no real reason to explain his failure.

"The only way I could possibly describe it is by the Makers will that I failed, but that is not a reasonable excuse. I have failed you, and now I am here to receive the punishment that I deserve."

Rai kept his gaze lowered respectfully. Awaiting his master's response.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He allowed his eyes to slowly open when both of them finished talking. His eyes shifting from Rai to Kiyr, and then back to Rai.

"Place the items over there."

He pointed to a small stone pedestal off to his left.

[Kyrie Blaze]

She had said to Poseidon that if it was within her power to return it, she would, but she didn't know any more at this moment than she had in that moment. Holding her breath, she got up, exhaled slightly...and paced forwards to deposit the breastplate where he had indicated before pivoting and returning to her former position, exactly.

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai walked over the pedestal and removed the headband holding it in his hands for moment staring at it. Not wanting to part with something so important to his family. But he was not about to fail his master again and set the headband down and went back to his position.

[Mathew Amtrum]

The items would sink in to the stone as Mathew stood up and began to pace. He took a deep calming breath, keeping his pace even, and his face passive.

"I had high expectations for both of you, and both of you let me down. I will offer you both a choice. You can leave now and be done. You can submit yourself to your punishment. Or you can defend yourself and risk death."

There choice.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie's gaze finally lifted, watching Mathew pace and dissecting his words. There were only two options for her. Leaving would never be one, so that left two. Submit or defend. The difference, she noticed, that submitting was completely open ended. Defending had the obvious risk of death. Submitting, therefor, could have a range of results, including death.

"From the moment I swore my loyalty and trust, I placed my life in the Earth Dragon's claws..." Claws that could easily impale, rend, and crush her with minimal effort. Kyrie was no coward. She'd displayed it countless times already, so she could choose to defend herself...but as she had just stated: she had failed him. She also said she would accept her punishment. "I do no less, now."

So she would.

Make no mistake, however: Kiyr was, indeed, afraid. Her eyes were wide and bright with it. But her word was all she had to hold on to in this situation. In practically any situation. The trust... She was quite pale, and she had to swallow the lump in her throat to keep her voice level. Calm. She rose to her feet slowly, eyes on Mathew and seeming to completely ignore Raikotsu.

"If you demand my life for my failure, if I am unworthy to continue my apprenticeship in your shadow... Then I trust you in your decision." Words for the petite blonde were always thought out, often vague, because they bound her to what she said, more tightly than anything else could. If she gave her word, she followed through. Admitting things out loud, naturally, was more complicated and difficult than she made it seem, sometimes. And actions after stating what she would do came easier. "I will submit."

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai would take a kneeling position without a second thought. He wasn't going to turn back, that would never happen, and he had no right to defend himself for his mistake. He would look Mathew in the eyes as he spoke.

"I submit to whatever punishment you see fit master."

When he finished speaking he would lower his head in respect waiting for his masters judgement.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He just slowly shook his head as both apprentices submitted. Clicking his tongue it wouldn't be hard to see that he was disappointed in both of them. Not only had both of them failed, but both of them also failed the second test. It seemed that he had more work to do with both of them yet.

"Both of you on your hands and knees."

[Kyrie Blaze]

It was very easy to see. And quite easy to see she had failed in the second test.

But Kiyr had her own reasons.

And yet, her gaze deliberately flicked to Rai in his prone position, though her expression remained composed: a quiet poker face. Her gaze returned to Mathew, and without a word, dropped silently back to her hands and knees.

A slow exhale, preparing for whatever was to come, though blue eyes remained steadily upon Mathew's form. She would face whatever was coming with the pride and dignity she did have, and would remain resolute regardless of what would happen.

[Raikotsu Sudeki]

Rai dropped his second knee and put his hands on the ground if Rai felt Kiyr look at him but didn't do anything to show that he noticed he just waited for his master's next move. He felt stupid that he hadn't realized the second test but that was now in the past. He would now have to suffer the consequences.