003. (v2) [video]

[stillseecracks]

[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'

Comments

[Audio]

[angha_firebird]

Xanth.

[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?]

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[The gesture of comfort--his question--it's hard for Aara to wrap her mind around. Is that it? Did it really seem to paltry? She didn't know if she should be relieved, or worried that he didn't understand. She leans into him, allowing herself that bit of comfort.]

I'm... dangerous Xanth. I've never hurt anyone before.

[Her muscles tense.]

I am of a race that allows me to turn into what humans call a dragon. If...if anything like that happens again...

I need to be sure my friends stay away. Or...get rid of me.

[A small gurgle of a laugh that sounds more petrified than received.]

At least...it had not been too hard.

[She's shaking--trembling--but her mind is far off now, and she has yet to realize it.]

[Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[And now Xanth sees the whole picture. Aara, driven mad by the plague, rampaged and then was slaughtered by those she sought to kill.

Without another word, Xanth pulls Aara into a hug, his other arm wrapping around her back.

(He hasn't showered in a while. Sorry, Aara.)]

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[Even if Xanth smells a little ripe, Aara isn't going to be bothered by that with the state her mind is in right now. His hug is about the only thing that registers, and she curls in on herself even as she curls into his embrace.]

I--I have to tell everyone. I might--I might...

[And that is when the gathering moisture in her eyes clings to her lashes and falls as she buries her face into Xanthus chest.]

Please don't be afraid of me...

[Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

I-I'm not, [he just about whispers.] I'm-- I-I'm not. You don't s-scare me, Aara, you... y-you don't...

[And truly, she doesn't. She's not human - who cares? She was a victim of the virus - that's not her fault.

At least her kills, if she hurt anyone that terribly, were not in cold blood. She may be a killer, but she is no murderer.]

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[Relief, warm and sweet, swells from within. Taxed and tensed muscles finally relax, and Aara sighs as a grateful smile forms. He wasn't afraid of her. An odd hiccup constricts her throat.]

I am glad...

I am so glad...

[But then panic and worry once again rises within her and she abruptly tries to lean away, frantic eyes searching out Xanth's.]

You... you have to promise me you will stay away if I ever get sick like that again. Everyone... has to stay away...

[Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth can promise nothing when nothing is certain. Another plague might well hit the Keep, but it could just as easily never happen again.

But for her comfort, Xanth nods.]

I'll... I-I'll-- I'll try. Okay? I-I don't-- [But then he bites his lip and cut himself off.]

I-I'll try.

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[Aara frowns slightly at that, lowering her eyes. It wasn't the promise she had hoped to hear. She only hoped it would be enough. After a while, she slowly nods. It would have to be enough.]

Thank you.

[One of Aara's hands is still on Xanth's shoulder, and her thumb and fidgets and lightly rubs against him as her mind once again drifts away. Maybe next time she could hide away. Or maybe if she found Zachariah's friend Aara could ask the woman to take her out before she became infected. The woman seemed to hold enough hostility in her. And why shouldn't she? Aara was all to blame. What would have happened if Zachariah hadn't managed to get away? What would have happened if Ironhide, Bobby, and the green stranger hadn't--hadn't snapped her wings or--a sob catches in the back of Aara's throat. She couldn't think about it. She'd be sick again if she thought about it.

Instead, Aara turned her nearly vacant gaze to Xanth. She should ask him a question. Change the subject.

Make him food.]

[Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[Aara's looking at him, but she's not seeing him. Xanth's hand shifts onto her shoulder and he grips it, shaking her lightly and just once.]

H-Hey, hey, are-- a-are you-- o-okay?

[He's asking less for an answer, and more to bring her back to attention. He knows that look; she needs to be grounded.]

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[It's not the words, but the gentle shaking that finally gets through to her. Aara starts, suddenly feeling as though her eyes are burning. She closes them, hanging her head a little as she tries to get a hold of herself.]

Sorry...

[She brings a hand up to rub at her face, and she sighs, lifting tired lids as she attempts to give her friend a smile she isn't entirely successful at accomplishing.]

I'm...fine...

[Or she will be. Hopefully.]

[Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth knows that smile. It's one he's made in the past, and one he's made eo many times today.

Aara is not fine.]

Y-You... m-maybe you should-- should sleep...?

[She looks so, so tired. He knows this feeling, too, very well.]

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[The smile that finds her lips after his comment is more genuine, her eyes warm from his concern.]

I do need to rest, but whenever I close my eyes...

[Her brows knit into a frown and she shakes her head. She knows her death was necessary. They saved her from killing any of her friends directly.]

I...I can't sleep just yet.

[She hopes Xanth can understand. Slipping fluidly from the bed and gently out of Xanth's embrace, Aara holds a hand out to him.]

I can make soup and bread. Maybe a full stomach will help both of us. You look tired, too, Xanth.

[A slight smile.]

You should relax in the hotspring while I cook. I can bring you soup later.

[Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth takes Aara's hand, though he puts very little weight on it, and stands.]

I-I don't... know h-how much I... c-can eat. I-- I had something, e-earlier, s-so...

[But he could certainly use a bath...]

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

Oh... Okay.

[She wonders what the hot spring might be like. Is there a section for males and females? Maybe she should let Xanth go now, and she could go later and see for herself. It sounded wonderful.]

If you get hungry, let me know? I can make you something.

[Throat constricting a little, Aara continues.]

Thank you for listening to what I had to say. I know it is not good news.

[Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

Th--thanks, Aara.

[A faint smile passes across his face and as Aara thanks him, it grows.]

H-Hey, don't... [he reaches out, touches her on the shoulder] ...d-don't worry about that, o...okay?

I-I mean, t--turning into a-- a dragon? Th-that's... pretty cool.

[Commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[She gives a bit of a hesitant smile at his thank you. It turns into a full-blown smile when he rests a hand on her shoulder and at his next words.]

It is nice...being able to fly.

[Her head tilts up to the ceiling as an expression of joy and freedom crosses her face, imagining the feeling of gliding across the sky on a cool and starry night.]