ANIMYRIAD

“Crowe!”

Why were all of his friends hellbent on getting themselves killed? Nyx let out a sound akin to an agitated growl and surged forward to grab Crowe by her arm. 

“It wasn’t a suggestion.”

“ You think only you can risk your life for everyone? ”

She yanked her arm back from him, scowling. He thought it was fine to throw himself into the fire for others but if she wanted to do the same, it was suddenly unthinkable? 

“ You need me. I can help! ”

           “Get down!”

“Waiting for my chance to leave, if I’m honest. You gave me a great out.” But being grateful for the out at her expense is rather selfish, he thinks. Though he does trust her response – he, too, feels better now that he’s not packed in that muggy, smoky, deafening bar. 

“It’s never been my scene. I prefer quiet, with far less people.”

He watches the flames, small as they may be, sprout from the tips of her fingers and briefly wonders how difficult it must be to have that much control. Luche uses elemental magic when it’s necessary, but usually in destructive bursts. 

“You planning on heading back home?”

She rolls her eyes, though a small smile appears. She doesn’t understand why he’d be there if it isn’t his scene. Why go through that? She doesn’t ask; it’s not her place. Still, she’s a little disappointed in herself. She could have gone for a few more drinks. 

“ Not sure. I wasn’t planning on the evening being over so soon, but I don’t think I could go back in there either. At least not tonight. ” Hands now raise to rest behind her head as she shifts her weight from one leg to the other. 

“Yeah, follow me. I’ve been watching the exits all night.”

It’s a painfully honest statement, which is hardly like Luche at all. However, the crowds make him anxious and he has a million other things he would much rather be doing - like reports, for Drautous. They’re expected of him come morning.

So he grabs Crowe’s wrist softly to keep them from getting separated and guides her along down the quickest path out of the bar.

The atmosphere is immediately more pleasurable once they step outside. It’s quieter, there’s more room to breathe, and there’s a slight chill in the air now that the sun has set for the day. Luche turns back to Crowe, watching her with a careful gaze.

“You alright?”

She doesn’t like to admit that anything’s wrong. It isn’t that she hated being around people, but sometimes the crowds were too much and she felt like the air was being sucked out of her lungs. Normally, Libertus is there the pull her out but he’s nowhere to be seen and it’s easy to grab onto a fellow glaive. Luche just happens to be closest. 

Crowe doesn’t look at him right away. Eyes close as she takes a deep breath. The chill sends a jolt down her spine and she clasps her hands together and rubs for a moment. Bits of fire dances along her fingertips and it soothes her. 

Have a very cute Cindy Aurum! Made on Picrew!

                                         OPEN  *   / 

Everything around her was completely unfamiliar   -   from the way in which she skin felt against the sheets and blankets,   to how the world outside the room sounded,   even the scent that the room held was different compared to her bedroom.      Without even needing to open her eyes,   Ashley already knew that she wasn’t in the safety of her apartment   ;    her memories were a little faded but she could recall a little of what happened   -   she had pushed herself too hard again,    she had been stressing over the smaller things until her body gave out and refused to function.

            A sigh sounded,   pushing herself into a seating position   ;    an ice packet falling gently into her lap   (  that’s right  …   she had been over heating as well,   hadn’t she?  )     she held it within her hands,   turning her head away slightly as the door opened before whispering.      ❛  I – I’m sorry  …   If I caused you any trouble  …  ❜    

Some would say it was out of character for Hatori to have brought someone home, but under the circumstances and his profession, it seemed like the only plausible thing to do. He wasn’t going to leave the woman laying just outside the estate. He had to be careful. One wrong move and he was sure to reveal secrets meant to be hidden. Luck happened to be on his side as he was able to get her into the car and then into the house. Once there, he could tend to her as any doctor would.

“Yeah, yeah,” Nyx huffs out between a series of heavy, trembling little breaths. He’s dizzy even without standing up, and that pulse she speaks of is thrumming so hard he can feel the throb of the blood all over every inch of his body. Its deafening in his ears - a chant for him to get up, because he’s not dead yet. “Lemme catch my breath.”

He lays there for a few moments longer, willing his heart to slow and his breathing to even out. It takes at least two minutes before he attempts to lift himself up from the brick, and his vision blurs almost immediately.

“Don’t worry about my drive. I’m fighting until my pulse stops.”