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[highhealplz]

Date & Time: Oct 8th, around midnight/1 AM
Location: halls/cafeteria!
Characters: Ashraf Salib and ???
Summary: ashraf looks like a bloody horror movie extra and desperately needs a shower. naturally, this is a great time to go for a stroll.
Warnings: blood and... remainders of gore? no actual gore unless something goes terribly wrong, dude's a healer.

[ A: Hallways ]
He's not moving too fast. It's slightly faster than a trudge, but a few paces below a stroll; both arms hang limply at his sides, with one of his hands clutching two golden, cross-tipped rods, and he watches the ground as he walks.

But more noticeable than the slumping posture or the slow steps, would probably be the way his beautiful, ornate robes look completely done for. They're soaked in blood, from a giant rip in the back suggesting a solid axing had happened somewhere around his spine, to a wash down from the neck, reminiscent of a cut throat. Blood mats his hair and has dried on his skin, but looking a little closer will show no visible wounds at all. The guy might look horrifying, but he's doing pretty okay for a victim of attempted manslaughter.

It's been a long night, man.


[ B: Cafeteria ]
One of his first destinations has been the cafeteria. It's late enough that it's emptied out, and he's free to slump at a seat at one of the tables and not worry about scaring anyone with his admittedly disturbing look. He'll take care of that... soon. Somehow. He hasn't worked out yet how he'll do it with just a 5 minute shower, but he'll work something out.

But for now: tea. He sips slowly as he stares at the far wall, willing himself to unwind. Exhaustion is just around the corner, if he can just do away with the dancing nerves of recent battle.

Comments

[highhealplz]

[ His smile fades and, slowly and not terribly noticeably, he stands a little straighter. ]

That wasn't for you to decide.

[deadelfwalking]

[It's difficult for him to articulate right now, but he's grasping -- perhaps hypocritically -- at the some of the same logic that's been used against him in the past.]

Your life is not your own, Ashraf. Your life belongs also to the people who care for you, and who do not want to see you hurt!

[highhealplz]

Koltira...

[ He watches him sadly for a few seconds, then sighs. Both hands reach to find the sides of Koltira's face, after fastening the Golden Cross into a loop at his belt. ]

Thank you for caring, I love you for that. But she was suffering, just like you are. I eased it. All of my pain is temporary, it's selfish of me not to take it.

[deadelfwalking]

[Ashraf's hands are warm on his face, and Koltira can hear the pulse in the other man's palms. He balks, wrenching immediately away.]

No -- no. Seviilia needs to learn -- control. You will not help her by indulging her in this way! You will not help anyone.

[He can't even address that 'love you' thing. FUCK YOU, MAN. YOU DON'T LOVE HIM.

He takes a step back.]

[highhealplz]

[ He drops his hands back to his sides again, too tired to do otherwise. ]

She's not a child, to have bad behaviors scolded out of her, Koltira. It's necessary. And you have to admit, it was better me than whoever was closest to her when she was pushed over the edge.

[ Which could have been very soon, judging by how fast she took him up on his offer. ]

[deadelfwalking]

This is business for the Ebon Blade. Not you.

[He steels himself, returning Ashraf's expression with one just as thin-lipped and firm. But he knows he won't be able to maintain it for long. He's got to go.]

I will deal with her, going forward.

[TURNING TO LEAVE.]

[highhealplz]

[ ugh, God, he's going to have to move, isn't he. He closes his eyes for a moment, takes a breath, and blesses himself quietly for strength. Feeling temporarily better he slides forward, looking to insert himself directly into Koltira's path. He glares up at him, jaw set. ]

Normally, yeah, I'd agree with you. But unless you have a plan, and you tell me about it, I'm not going to leave all the people crammed into this station in danger. So until those two things happen, I've made it my business.

[deadelfwalking]

[His cold eyes blaze like a stoked fire.]

There is nothing more to discuss. I need to think. And you need to stop meddling in issues that you do not understand!

[He shoves past Ashraf, growling low in his throat.]

[highhealplz]

[ He stands still, glaring after Koltira. But — no, anger doesn't fit here, and especially not when he reminds himself of how close Koltira must be to his own bloodfrenzy. So he lets out a breath, and when he calls after him it's low and calm. ]

Koltira — don't forget, my offer to you still stands, too.