Highlander Ficlet
Aug. 25th, 2025 06:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
senmutBut Why Not (600 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Highlander The Series
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Amanda Darieux, Rebecca Horne [Highlander the Series]
Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Slice of Life, Teacher & Student
Summary:
"But why not?"
There were days, Rebecca decided, that it wasn't enough to try and understand the cultural mores as they shifted. What was taboo in one land or century might be a requirement elsewhere and when.
No, it was also needful to stay abreast of how mortals themselves shifted, adapted, changed. Her latest foundling, a thief, was one such. Completely lacking in shame or guilt, Rebecca decided, and yet… there was a burning bright mind, the basis of a potential survivor in the Game.
Utter poverty, lack of resources, restricted chances for social mobility, and a complete attempt to prevent literacy while also stomping on oral traditions older than the province they were in had produced this young woman. Rebecca had trouble seeing her as more than girl, honestly, with the way she acted half the time. But maybe it was a bit like the tales of whipped hounds, that finding a safer master, reverted to more playful and rash behavior once they knew they were safe.
"I am not saying that it is never right to steal. I am saying it is not right to steal here, in this place," Rebecca told her.
Amanda was not convinced, so Rebecca dove in further. "One, theft is a good way to bring attention to your nature. Because if caught, you could be killed, except you won't stay dead, unless they use an axe."
"But I don't get caught… usually. Or stay caught if I am."
"Which is the second part, and the larger one of why I am counseling you," Rebecca answered. "Look around, my student. Actually see the people and the shape of this hamlet."
There was a cursory look around, then Amanda's eyes came right back to her and there was a shrug of uncaring.
Had she chosen poorly, Rebecca wondered, trying to find the striker to light a sense of compassion in this one.
"A person who takes from those who barely have enough to survive is already on the path of being corrupted by immortality," Rebecca said bluntly, then walked away in a different direction, her thoughts turning to gathering her pack and the jack she'd found half-starved at a burned out farm. Either her words or her leaving prompted Amanda to call after her, start her way… and then stop.
Where the main track through the homes became the rougher trail of an occasionally used trade route, Rebecca turned, and saw that Amanda was actually studying the people around her.
Well. Maybe she'd stay one night at the camp they had made before coming in to see if there was grain to barter for.
It was almost raining, a damp misery on top of the cool night air when Amanda showed up. She had half a loaf of bread and a rough-made crock of cider.
"I didn't steal them," she quickly said at Rebecca's look. "I taught some of the children how to set snares, and their mother insisted I take these for payment. I found out most of the men of age were dragged off for war."
"So the women are having to handle all aspects of life," Rebecca said with a sigh. "It will be the same through the region. We should move on to other lands."
"We can?" Amanda asked, lightly stressing the first word.
"Promise me to abide by my rules?"
"Teach me when stealing isn't offensive to your ideas?" Amanda countered.
Rebecca smiled and then opened her arm so her waxed cloak had room under it for Amanda, who swiftly took the offered spot.
"We have a deal, my student."
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Highlander The Series
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Amanda Darieux, Rebecca Horne [Highlander the Series]
Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Slice of Life, Teacher & Student
Summary:
Rebecca has to deal with a student clashing with her own current ideals.
But Why Not
"But why not?"
There were days, Rebecca decided, that it wasn't enough to try and understand the cultural mores as they shifted. What was taboo in one land or century might be a requirement elsewhere and when.
No, it was also needful to stay abreast of how mortals themselves shifted, adapted, changed. Her latest foundling, a thief, was one such. Completely lacking in shame or guilt, Rebecca decided, and yet… there was a burning bright mind, the basis of a potential survivor in the Game.
Utter poverty, lack of resources, restricted chances for social mobility, and a complete attempt to prevent literacy while also stomping on oral traditions older than the province they were in had produced this young woman. Rebecca had trouble seeing her as more than girl, honestly, with the way she acted half the time. But maybe it was a bit like the tales of whipped hounds, that finding a safer master, reverted to more playful and rash behavior once they knew they were safe.
"I am not saying that it is never right to steal. I am saying it is not right to steal here, in this place," Rebecca told her.
Amanda was not convinced, so Rebecca dove in further. "One, theft is a good way to bring attention to your nature. Because if caught, you could be killed, except you won't stay dead, unless they use an axe."
"But I don't get caught… usually. Or stay caught if I am."
"Which is the second part, and the larger one of why I am counseling you," Rebecca answered. "Look around, my student. Actually see the people and the shape of this hamlet."
There was a cursory look around, then Amanda's eyes came right back to her and there was a shrug of uncaring.
Had she chosen poorly, Rebecca wondered, trying to find the striker to light a sense of compassion in this one.
"A person who takes from those who barely have enough to survive is already on the path of being corrupted by immortality," Rebecca said bluntly, then walked away in a different direction, her thoughts turning to gathering her pack and the jack she'd found half-starved at a burned out farm. Either her words or her leaving prompted Amanda to call after her, start her way… and then stop.
Where the main track through the homes became the rougher trail of an occasionally used trade route, Rebecca turned, and saw that Amanda was actually studying the people around her.
Well. Maybe she'd stay one night at the camp they had made before coming in to see if there was grain to barter for.
It was almost raining, a damp misery on top of the cool night air when Amanda showed up. She had half a loaf of bread and a rough-made crock of cider.
"I didn't steal them," she quickly said at Rebecca's look. "I taught some of the children how to set snares, and their mother insisted I take these for payment. I found out most of the men of age were dragged off for war."
"So the women are having to handle all aspects of life," Rebecca said with a sigh. "It will be the same through the region. We should move on to other lands."
"We can?" Amanda asked, lightly stressing the first word.
"Promise me to abide by my rules?"
"Teach me when stealing isn't offensive to your ideas?" Amanda countered.
Rebecca smiled and then opened her arm so her waxed cloak had room under it for Amanda, who swiftly took the offered spot.
"We have a deal, my student."
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