Despite all their efforts, the Light had returned. The Exarch was gone, and once again she was the one left standing when the dust settled.
She was tired. So very tired.
The days went on.
There was a stiffness growing inside that went well past her bones; it seized the sinew and locked her joints, causing an ache in every move. With each morning that she still drew breath, she found someone new in the mirror: that morning's iteration showed a woman whose skin had turned a sickly pallor, whilst her dark hair had begun to bleach itself to unnatural blonde.
When it all becomes too much to bear, seek me out at my abode, in the dark depths of the Tempest.
Emet-Selch had invited her to retain her dignity, and a part of her would have gone without a second thought if she only had the means to do so. As if her stiff legs could carry her to wherever The Tempest even was in this alien land. As she was now, she lived the paradoxical existence of hurry up and wait while her comrades scrambled for a cure for something that they all knew could not be undone.
--
Thancred moved from towering over her to gently sit upon her bed. The weight of him pulled her in, though she made great effort to keep the distance.
"You look well," he lied through his teeth. "Just when I thought you could not be more radiant-- All that beauty rest has done much and more." Had he not sounded so sincere, she would have mistaken it for dry wit.
She looked over her shoulder at him, twisted as she was, and wrinkled her nose. "Surely you didn't come just to be cruel."
His amiable expression fell, and she felt a pang of guilt for for her lashing.
"Apologies," he frowned. "That was... not my intent," he added, his voice flat. He politely moved his hands to clasp firmly between his knees.
She believed him that time. Tsuna pinched her arm to keep from throwing herself at him in a desperate need for comfort. They both sorely needed it. She wouldn't give into something so base-- not again.
"You shouldn't be in here," she whispered.
It had been a few days-- from what she could tell-- since then he had become more sunkissed. His boots were ruddy with Amh Araeng's dusty sands-- a far, and queer destination for one who could not ride the Aether.
"I didn't mean to bother. I simply wished to see how you were getting on," he said, twisting to better take her in, his hand brushed her curled tail. "Would you rather I leave?"
He was kind-- much too kind. She much preferred when they were trading blows, at least she could take them.
"That's not what I meant..." she sighed, winded. "You shouldn't be near me. It's not safe."
He gave pause, then chuffed at her proposal. "Y'shtola gave no such warning about your... condition."
"Y'shtola does not know everything," she snapped.
"Ryne has contained it," he countered, and she half-expected a 'for now' to be tacked on to the end of it. It was silent, but it was there. She knew.
Tsuna huffed. Frustration was causing her voice to grow thick with emotion. "She's just a girl, Thancred."
"And I trust her with my life. As should you." His tone had raised in defense before softening. "...She would never lead us astray."
Gently, he reached out to touch her exposed shoulder, and she stiffened, jolting away from the touch.
"Gods--" she swore. "You can't-- Don't-- Don't touch me."
She had brought the Light back to Norvrandt simply by being alive. The swell of it was strong enough to be felt knocking against her seams in her weaker moments. Who was to say she could not corrupt him-- or anyone else-- simply by being.
He grabbed her outstretched hand that had pushed him away, and reeled her back in against her will. His fingers intertwined with her own, and for a moment she thought something may just burst from her. Not the Light, no, but equally as unstable. It was something far more devastating.
The bird in her chest beat its wings against its cage and she wanted so badly to let it free.
"You see?" he asked, soft. "Everything's all right."
She could only stare at their intwined hands, marveling at the difference of size, how his own dwarfed her in comparison. His smooth, Hyuran skin compared to her own scales was fascinating, but with enough callouses on his palms to pen a story.
He had never touched her quite like that. The word intimate danced on her tongue and her breath fell shallow. Intimate. She gripped him back, rooting her fingers between his own, and to her surprise, he did not let go.
When he lowered his lips to her shoulder, she didn't notice, still transfixed where they joined, growing concerned that she could not feel the warmth of his hand. The breath dancing against her collarbone brought her back to where she belonged, though she felt no heat.
He kissed her as if it were his only solution to placating a grieving woman. Of course, it would be. Of course, it was all he ever knew. She didn't know what to feel. She wanted him to continue. She wanted to know where the trail would lead him; higher, or lower?
She also very much wanted to kiss him back, if only she could. Would she even be able to feel it?
Oh, Gods. What was wrong with her?
Your friends are now your foes. If you do not kill them, they will kill you.
"I think you should go," she whispered.
With a short pause, he lifted himself from her, and thus slackened his grip. Their connection broke, and she immediately missed the loss.
Thancred finally pulled away to give her space without complaint, though his honey-dark eyes lingered to study, to see where he had erred. His jaw worked for a moment before beginning to speak, then deciding against it. He stood from her bed.
"Keep the faith," was all he said. It was all he could say.
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LOTD: by Beauty Bay Matte Lipstick in Freckle with Dose Of Colors Lip Gloss in Rockin' It. #Scentoftheday 212 VIP Rose EDP by Carolina Herrera.
This week, I’m wearing lip products I haven’t used before. Today is the lipstick in shade Freckle (shown above far left with Tea, Pinch and Cola). In my last 'haven't used it before' posts, I wore Pinch, but I suspected Freckle would be my favourite and wow, it is! The colour is divine, a pinky-beige nude with a greyish tone, which I just adore. It's not too pale nor does it wash me out/make me look like death, but I just absolutely love that greige tone. It's definitely gone into my list of favourite lipstick shades from all brands. It's a really comfortable matte formula, feels creamy, though I did top with gloss (as I usually do). My only gripe like last time, is the cheap-ish feeling/looking packaging, but it is an affordable lipstick so it's no surprise. I could honestly wear this every day and not get bored, I love it. Unedited swatches of all 4 mattes I have, shown below.
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