003. (v2) [video]
[At first, there is no sound; there is only the image of Xanth's forearm. Lines of letters curl around his fingers, twist around his hand, and spiral onto his arm. The ink, jet black, is stark against his pale skin.]
Th-this-- it means I-I've been-- t-too quiet, right? I-It... it wants me to-- t-to say... s-something.
[It's been a while since he' ( Read more... )
Th-this-- it means I-I've been-- t-too quiet, right? I-It... it wants me to-- t-to say... s-something.
[It's been a while since he' ( Read more... )
[There's relief and warmth in her voice, along with the smallest bit of vulnerability she is trying very hard to hide. They hadn't talked at all after she re-gained her memories, after all.]
I am glad you're okay.
[Those markings worry her, however, she she leans closer to inspect the journal.]
They do not hurt? The markings on your skin?
[She wasn't going to mention her sleepless nights or internal conflict with her friends. She hadn't harmed Xanth, at least. For that, she would count herself fortunate. Alex's words have been haunting her. She needed to tell them. Everyone one of them. She never wished to be a danger ever again. But how to go about it? And when would she find the time?]
Reply
[He hasn't spoken with Aara for some time. Not since he took her back to his room after her revival. Though he doesn't ask, he wonders: what has she remembered?]
They-- th-they don't, th-they're just-- l-like the t-tattoo on... m-my face.
[Only these letters don't just shift; they shift and they spread.]
Reply
[It makes her wonder all the more about the markings on his face, though. She thought he was different. Like her. That the markings were a part of him. Had they been put there, though?]
Xanth... I...I wish to thank you. For taking care of me. Helping me. [Even if she also remembers she had been naked. And covered in blood. Most likely her blood, though she supposes she aught to be thankful for that. Still, she trembles. The memories of her death hit her hard. She only wonders what horrors others at the Keep faced.]
I do not know... how trying, or terrible, or exhausting the past few weeks have been for you, Xanth. If you need anything, though--anything at all--I am here.
[Her quiet voice cracks at the offer.]
When things have calmed...ah... I have something to tell you.
Reply
[He tries for as comforting a tone as he can, but then she says she has something to tell him, and all that comfort drains away from him.
There is a short pause.]
Um. What-- w-what is it? You-- y-you can-- tell me now.
[Might as well get it over with, if it's something bad. Or maybe she needs help.]
Reply
...What if she hurts him in the future, because she never warned him away? Aara hangs her head.]
Can I... tell you somewhere else?
[If she loses a friend, she does not want it to happen where everyone can see. Her chest constricts at the thought, and she hadn't told him a thing yet. Inhaling a shaky breath of air, Aara steels her nerves. Xanth was her friend. She would abide by whatever he wished after he heard her out.]
Please?
Reply
The thought lights a spark of anger beneath Xanth's depression. He welcomes it.]
Of-- of course.
D-Do you... want to... m-meet somewhere?
Reply
Please.
I can meet you at your room. Or you could come here. Or...we could meet in the bower.
[She hesitates. Anywhere would be good really, so long as they were not interrupted. Aara did not know what she would do or say, then.]
Anywhere should work. You can choose, if you want.
Reply
[His, despite being neatened, is still kind of a mess.]
What... w-what number is-- i-is it?
Reply
I am in room 1112.
...Thank you, Xanth.
[Now Aara is scrutinizing her room. Her bed has already been made, but her small pile of books could be neatened. And she should find a better place to put her borrowed dresses. She'd try to find a place for them in the meanwhile.]
Reply
[Xanth memorizes the number, which isn't hard; her room is even on the same floor as his. He takes a moment to make sure he's at least halfway presentable, but there's not much he can do on such short notice. His hair is still long, down his shoulders, and unwashed; his clothes are still rumpled; and he's still thinner than he should be.
He makes his way over to Aara's room, but it takes longer than he'd like and by the time he's there, he's winded.
No, no, no, he thinks; this is stupid. Still, he takes a few seconds to catch his breath before he knocks on the door.]
Reply
Xanth. Come in.
[She opens the door a bit wider so he can enter, but soon her brows furrow and a light frown crosses her lips. He looked exhausted--more so than even she herself felt.]
Are you unwell?
[Concern grips her, and Aara quickly forgets her own worries in that moment.]
Reply
I'm-- fine.
[He needs what everyone needs: sleep and food. Unfortunately, the first is elusive and the second requires effort that Xanth hasn't been willing to put forth these past few weeks. He has been eating; just not enough.
He steps inside, then goes to take a seat on Aara's bed. He looks to Aara questioningly, worry now coloring the smile on his face.]
Reply
I can make you some soup later, if you want.
[She was stalling a little, now that her heart was once again to odd flips in her chest. Worrying her lip between her teeth, Aara finds her gaze riveted to the hands in her lap and her brows furrow together.]
I don't... know how to say this...
[Not really. What's she supposed to do? Say she was a dragon? And maybe Xanth didn't know what a dragon was? And how could she get him to understand how dangerous she could be if she was ever infected again? Her shoulders slump, and she hangs her head. She should have thought all of this through, first.]
Reply
But then Aara stalls. She looks so... dejected? Disappointed? Depressed? Xanth isn't sure. All he knows is that there is something Aara is reluctant to tell him.
He sets a hand on her shoulder and leans forward, trying to catch her gaze.]
H-Hey, don't... d-don't worry, o--okay? Just... t-take... take your t--time.
Reply
"I... hurt people, Xanth. When I got sick. Before I--before I died."
[Her heart hurts simply at the retelling, and Aara ducks her head as she tries her best to prevent her tears. She had to make sure he knew she could be dangerous. At the same time, she didn't want him to fear her. The situation was a mess already.]
I'm not--human. Not entirely.
[She brings a hand to her face, stress compiling as she rubs at her forehead. Her throat feels tight, and her eyes burn, but at least she isn't crying yet. Hopefully she didn't have any tears left.]
Reply
Xanth's heart sinks. In a gesture of comfort, he lays his arm over Aara's shoulders.
But Aara's not finished yet. Xanth's brow furrows not in worry, but confusion.]
Is... i-is-- is that-- it?
Reply
Leave a comment