"I sincerely hope you don't mind me paying a visit, Jericho." Nikolai sat down on the small wooden stool kept for the rare guest.

"Of course not, I invited you in didn't I?" Jericho seemed none the worse for wear, his pleasant demeanor shining through even beneath asylum white sheets and the bandages wrapped around his head.

"Even so, the reception is admittedly much warmer than expected considering the... circumstances." Jericho's utter lack of concern left a bitter taste in his mouth, or maybe it was the guilt that wracked his heart. Seeing him trapped in a stony, windowless room certainly didn't make him feel any better.

Jericho chuckled. "Would you have preferred that I greet you with a greater degree of hostility? My apologies, would you like to leave this room so we can repeat this encounter under more antagonistic pretenses?"

"... Perhaps not." It was then that the thought occurred to Nikolai that he was only here to appease his conscience, and he grimaced.

They were silent for some time. Jericho enjoyed the quiet company, and Nikolai fidgeted all the while. Eventually, Nikolai rallied enough courage to break the ice.

"Brother, I must apologize for the truly unnecessary amount of force I leveled against you during The Selection. I know these must seem to you like shallow words, but they are genuine as can be-"

"Say no more, dear Brother of mine. All is forgiven."

"That can't possibly be the case, an injury like that must surely be debilitating." Nikolai reasoned. "Your work in the future may be severely impeded, to be frank, an unreliable servant is just as likely to be tossed out onto the streets or-"

Jericho raised a hand to stop him. "I'm well aware. In fact, the Royal Oversight Committee saw fit to administer a high-level serum retrieved from an expedition into the City of Glass Towers. Apparently, I'd been deemed an asset valuable enough to be given such a precious item. As it turns out the ROC is more than willing to make a small investment on little old me, so there's no need for you to worry."

Nikolai was caught off guard, his jaw hanging for just a moment before he collected himself. Of the many ancient ruins that existed beyond the glass dome, the City of Glass Towers was among the most well kept, as well as the most dangerous. Corrupted beasts of the Zodiac still frequently maintained many ancient cities and lashed out against any human presence, though the danger was well worth it for any prepared expedition force. Rumors say a high-level serum could likely return anyone from the brink of death.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"So... all is well then." Nikolai managed.

"Not quite." Jericho mused. "I'll be taking a few weeks off to recover, and the physicians tell me it's likely I'll suffer from semi-frequent headaches and migraines for the rest of my life. The physicians tell me you did quite the number on my brain, though I convinced them to avoid reprimanding you too much."

Nikolai rested his forehead against his hands. "I'm indebted to your generosity, though I must admit that I don't understand you whatsoever. Had I been in your place, well it pains me to say that it would've likely been a different story."

Jericho fixed him with a pondering look. "Nikolai... do you think I blame you for what happened during The Selection?"

He looked up. "Not anymore, no. Though it was certainly a reasonable assumption."

"Well I don't, and let me be clear as to why: I understand that your position and mine are fundamentally different, we were playing for very different stakes. There will always be work for one such as myself, The Selection was merely an opportunity to find work under more prestigious families with more luxurious accommodations. After all, higher bidding families are certain to treat their most prized possessions well.

Now correct me if I'm mistaken, but yours is a very different story. You didn't have the slightest clue what might happen if you couldn't find a household to take you in, did you? After all, a Virgo can manipulate numerous tools at once with mutable earth, but what can a Leo do with a fixed flame? You couldn't even heat a room because it'd simply cease to exist beyond a certain point. How sad." Jericho faked a look sympathy, it was unnerving convincing.

"That doesn't excuse what I did, Jericho. I almost ruined your life to get a headstart on my own."

"I think it does, Nikolai. You did what you felt must be done in order to impress the client. I know that pressure as well as any other, and I'm sure you must feel it even more so than I. If it was what was required of me, I'd have done the same to you. The only criticism I have to level against you is that you're too narrowly focused on strength of arms and in sheer skill. A little extra showmanship goes a long way, Nikolai." He wagged his finger.

Nikolai sighed. "You truly are an unusual case, I suppose there is something that separates you from the rest of us."

"That's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it?" Jericho raised an eyebrow.

"I suppose it is. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors then, Jericho." Nikolai turned to leave, though he hesitated at the doorway.

"Oh, but Jericho?"

"I truly am indebted to you, if there's ever anything I can do for you, please let me know."

Jericho considered it for a moment before smiling. "If that truly is what'll make you happy, then I suppose I have no choice but to keep it in mind now do I?"

Nikolai nodded and left.