exsiliumlogs | this is what i told him as i gazed into his eyes

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this is what i told him as i gazed into his eyes

Date & Time: Oct 12th, late
Location: MOON SURFACE THROWDOWN and then probably inside
Characters: Koltira and Ashraf
Summary: DEAD ELVES ARE THE WORST X(((( koltira has killed seviilia, which is very upsetting to ashraf, and is in blood frenzy. that means this is a log of nothing but GOOD TIMES AND SUNSHINE
Warnings: gore/violence!

[ The first thing he'd noticed was the silence, complete and eerie. He can feel more than hear the faint swishes of fabric against his body, but not much else. The first thing he'd had to get used to was the gravity out here. Sure, he'd experienced the 1/6th gravity sometimes inside the base, when the power cut out, but it was different out here. Here, with nothing to distract him, just the empathetic directions from Blue and the barren landscape. And the cold.

But he presses on, steps as quick as they can be in the uneasy medium, and whispers silent spells to fortify himself as he goes.

It isn't long before Koltira is in sight, visible more for the faint glow of his eyes and sword in the dying light and creeping shadows. Ashraf steels himself and walks on. ]

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[Koltira doesn't even register Ashraf's presence. He's stalking forward, but it's not exactly towards the base. He doesn't want to return there, not right now, not when every thread of his body feels pulled taut and fit to start fraying. The pain shutters his reason; all that remains is hatred and instinct. He needs to be alone. He wants to be alone.]

Edited 2013-10-14 00:24 (UTC)

[ That Koltira seems not even to see Ashraf only confirms his suspicions: he's too far gone for reasoning, and likely for any kind of talking at all. So, as he draws nearer, his first spell cast over Koltira is one of silencing. It feels redundant here where there's nothing but silence, but he doesn't want to take the chance with any of his magic. Immediately after comes a spell of slowness, to make Koltira's steps like molasses. That should give him enough time to prepare.

He knows his voice won't make it to Koltira, and he doesn't exactly relish drawing close enough to allow Koltira to break through Blue's shield, so he stops where he is and waits. ]

[The spells take effect, but they also alert Koltira to Ashraf's presence. He fixes his angry, bestial eyes on the man before him, and he sees nothing but an opponent.

A beating heart; thrumming veins. Something to be sliced open and consumed.

Unholy power counteracts the slowing spell, and he breaks into a sprint so fast that it disregards gravity and other status effects altogether. C'mon, baby, give us a hug.]

[ Well, at least Koltira is predictable. Ashraf braces himself, but not to take the impact of the attack. Instead he watches Koltira's steps closely, timing, counting, aannnddd —

— A blue swirl of a portal blossoms open on the ground, timed an instant before Koltira's leading foot would land there. It leads into VR Room #4, the same place he'd faced Seviilia, already locked down and ready for another round. ]

[As soon as they touch down in the VR room, Koltira throws Ashraf away from him violently -- probably with enough force to launch him against the nearest wall.]

Get away. Get out.

[ He hits against the wall, but doesn't seem to mind -- or even notice. He's immediately striding back toward Koltira, casting a wave of holy magic anew over himself. ]

No. [ As soon as he's done fortifying himself he throws out a hand, casting a bolt of holy light on Koltira. It streaks toward him, cross-shaped and burning. ] You're going to slake your bloodthirst on me, here and now.

[Koltira screams in rage as the spell connects, searing through his armor to the dead, vulnerable skin beneath. The pain flashes bright in his mind, and he staggers back against the wall, heaving, clutching at his face.]

I refuse. You have no right to do this! You have no right to interfere.

[ It hurts him to see that stumble and know that he's the cause of the pain — but he doesn't let it stop him. This is necessary. It will be for the good of Koltira and Seviilia both, in the end, and he just has to keep that in mind. ]

You're wrong; as long as we're up here, confined, it becomes my business and right. [ He waves his hand again as he strides nearer still, loosing another of those quick bolts. ] Come on, Koltira.

[Koltira kneels on the ground, shuddering from the awful heat of the holy magic. He shakes his head. It's becoming more difficult to maintain control on his thoughts, his reason.]

You are self-righteous. Even worse than before.

[ God, he wants to heal him. But not now, not yet. That will come later. He drops roughly to his knees in front of Koltira when he reaches him, a hand going to either side of his face. The anger is gone from his face, replaced by a sharp sorrow. ]

I want — I need to talk to you, Koltira, but I need you to clear your head first. I know you're suffering, and I know it won't go away until you do this.

[Under other circumstances, that touch might have pacified him, at least temporarily. But instead he just shoves Ashraf away, the claws of his gauntlets tearing at Ashraf's robes, swiping at his chest.]

I -- won't. You do not -- have the right -- to force me. That makes you no better than any other captor I've ever bloody had!

[ He flinches — from the words, more than the swipe. Blood trickles at his chest, but he doesn't even notice it. He's not... wrong in this, right? A terrible means will be justified by the end. He takes a breath and moves in again, setting a hand at Koltira's chest. His heal is low, hopefully not much more pain, and just enough to heal what he'd done with his holy light. ]

I want to help you. I don't know how else to do it.

You can help by minding your own bloody affairs!

[He winces from the heal and tries to move away, towards the other end of the room. His movements are slow, torturous. Ashraf's heart is a drum in Koltira's head, and he's desperate to get away.]

That isn't an option anymore.

[ His voice is soft and regretful, all the more so because he knows it would defeat the purpose if he were to let Koltira away from him. He steps quickly after him, into his path.

Still low, but now with an edge of pain of his own: ] You killed her, didn't you?

[Koltira scowls. Ashraf's expression is just infuriating.]

Of course I did.

[ It still hurts to hear it, even if he'd known it. It takes him a second, but there's really just one more thing to ask. ]

Why?

[Instead of answering, Koltira launches himself against the VR room door. He's gonna break outta here.]

[ It's locked, of course, he'd seen to that before he'd left the base. He thinks the door can stand up to a death knight, but it's not something he'd want to bet on. So he moves quickly, waiting for Koltira to move back again so slide himself in against the door. He looks miserable there, if unwilling to move. ]

Answer me, please. It's important to me.

[Koltira slashes Ashraf right across the face with the claws of his gauntlets.]

I -- don't -- care.

[ His head twists with the force of it and he finds himself staring at the wall, blinking away blood. But — good. That's what he'd wanted.

He doesn't bother to heal it, but turns his heavy gaze onto Koltira again. ]

I did that to stop her suffering. Why did you add to it?

There is no suffering in death. She needed to be put down. [He clutches his own wrist, as though preventing himself from striking out again.]

You're wrong.

[ He reaches out again, setting both of his hands over and around Koltira's hand and wrist. Cold, as ever, and as ever he meets the chill unflinching. ]

She doesn't know how to act differently, Koltira. She's lost her memory, did you know that? All she knows is her life in death. She can be taught otherwise, but not with your methods.

You bloody fool. How dare you presume to know more about my soldier than I do!

[He wrenches away, hissing.]

You don't know a Light-damned thing about either of us. You are not a priest of our world. You are just a priest.

[ He falls back against the door, hands dropping to his sides, and shakes his head tiredly. ]

I'm not, but it doesn't matter. Compassion and healing are universal.

[Koltira just stands there, snarling.]

Ridiculous.

Why?

[ He moves finally, stepping forward, moving close to Koltira again. This time he doesn't make to touch him, but to stand as close as Koltira will let him. ]

You tell me I'm wrong and I don't understand anything, but you don't have anything to offer or teach. Why is it ridiculous to care?

I am teaching. I am teaching her, in the only way that will work. We are not like you people. Not anymore.

[ He stops, standing close and looking up. ]

I don't believe that. But I don't think you're lying, I just think you've blinded yourself. [ And one more time he lifts his hands, letting them fall to Koltira's cheeks. ] You care, love, and hurt just like any living person would. You're wearing the evidence of that.

[ he's seen that swag you got, and he knows who he saw it on last and where it came from, even if the details are fuzzy. ]

[HDU bring that up, Ashraf! HDU!! Koltira bares his teeth.]

Seviilia has used the people of Exsilium as a flesh farm. She murdered innocents.

[He grabs Ashraf by the throat and throws him down, violently, to the ground.]

Shut your mouth.

[ He lands hard, coughs once, and pulls himself back up to his feet again as if it hadn't happened. Still, though, the news is sobering. ]

I... I didn't know. [ Though he shouldn't be surprised. His face has fallen back to grieved again. It was so long ago by now, even if they do manage to bring back Exsilium, there would be no way to revive those people. ] But past sins can always be forgiven, if they're repented.

Of course you didn't know.

[Koltira's guttural voice drops to an angry growl as he draws his fist back, then punctuates his next sentence with a punch to Ashraf's gut.]

Because you -- [Punch.] -- are -- [Punch.] -- a fool!

[ The first punch surprises him, the next is grimly satisfying. Maybe Koltira has finally taken his offer. Nevermind the sick, unhappy feeling he's left with for it, this is what he wanted.

He's breathless and half doubled over, but vaguely waves one hand. Green light floods over him as he straightens, and even the small injuries from earlier are gone. ]

I never claimed otherwise.

[Koltira can feel himself losing the battle with his reason, his restraint. He takes a step back, then collapses to his knees. The growl in his throat becomes an anguished, feral howl, and in his desperation, he reaches out -- taps the connection that he's formed with Martin Darkov.

Please. Help me.]

Edited 2013-10-24 03:16 (UTC)

[locked doors mean nothing now, and Koltira has to suffer no wait for an answer to his call. air concedes to growing heavy and warm, filling out with the bright and golden shapes that make up Martin's facets – boy, beast, ruling man.

the boy is small again, like he used to be, and he's who rushes in to throw his arms around Koltira, fury and all, to quell him. comfort without a heartbeat, just a strange breath and the steadfast affection within it.

the lion moves and slinks around Ashraf, coming to stand between him and Koltira, while the crowned man lingers where he formed, patient and watching.]

[ Ashraf shifts warily, watching this development — some spell of Koltira's that he hasn't seen yet? — but he doesn't draw back. It's... different. He would have a hard time fearing anything so light and pure.

When he realizes it's Martin his eyes grow wide, and the guilt stabs almost immediately after. That calming, that's what he'd been wishing he could do — but instead, of course, he'd attacked Koltira and tried to get him to lash out. Then he steps back, shoulders slumping. He eyes the lion without fear, watches the crowned man curiously, and finally looks back to the child that he knows best. ]

Does that help?

[Koltira slumps down in Martin's arms, his eyes half-closing. The light that washes over him does not burn; he thinks of it as holy, as something sanctified, but he knows that in reality it is outside of that distinction. It's something unique unto itself.

Koltira murmurs. The screams in his head, his blood, turn soft and insubtantial.]

Yes.

[in the boy, there's a twinge of sadness; he can't obliterate the things that torment Koltira. he's grateful, at least, that he can stifle them for a time.

a small hand gently strokes Koltira's face, passing through his hair and leaving it undisturbed. the other arm slinks around his neck.

the eyes of all three facets fix on Ashraf: sad and smiling, intent and burning, gentle and pitying.

his voice has no single point:] Dear friends. It's enough now for this moment.

[ He's happy to see Koltira's peace, even if it's only temporary, but it makes him all the sicker at his own methods. He'd done nothing but harm here. ]

Good. [ He takes a step back — it isn't running. Ashraf doesn't run from anything. It's just... excusing himself, since there's nothing good he can do here. He takes another step back. ] Thank you, Martin.

[ He mutters to the AI quietly; the doors unlock. He turns to go. ]

[Koltira watches Ashraf turn away. He should say something; tell Ashraf that it isn't his fault, because it's not. Thank him for his effort; for the purity of his intentions.

But he doesn't do any of that. He just watches, eyes open, expression closed.]

[Ashraf should watch his step outside of the room, or he's going to trip over one of Martin's legs. corporeal ones, anyway; his body can't phase through steel doors.

said body breathes a little easier as one of its facets draws near, too, with the lion following Ashraf to the door. but he doesn't go past the body itself, staring at him.

the boy, to Koltira:] Isn't it nice? Knowing people with such good hearts...

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this is what i told him as i gazed into his eyes

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