[ he'd trusted in martin. he'd trusted in martin because he had to. he owed it to the boy. so he held to his initial instincts, regardless of what emma said, regardless of what the others would say. perhaps regardless of what koltira would say.
bariyan had to protect himself.
so in the end, he is not that terribly surprised to see koltira on the other side of the street. not surprised, though there is still a lurch of some sort, manifesting in a pained look that flickers across his face faster than he himself can acknowledge it. then gone.
bariyan hardly even stirs from his seat on the top stair of his stoop. he sets his bottle down on the side with a clink and calls out. his voice is flatter than he'd even hoped for. ]
SITS THE FUCK ON
bariyan had to protect himself.
so in the end, he is not that terribly surprised to see koltira on the other side of the street. not surprised, though there is still a lurch of some sort, manifesting in a pained look that flickers across his face faster than he himself can acknowledge it. then gone.
bariyan hardly even stirs from his seat on the top stair of his stoop. he sets his bottle down on the side with a clink and calls out. his voice is flatter than he'd even hoped for. ]
Koltira.