Universality

Humiliating  ,  the  only  way  Nefer  could  describe  how  she  felt  ,  almost  flinching  as  the  other  raised  his  hands  to  help  her  lay  down.  The  desert  left  her  on  edge  ,  as  constant  state  of  discomfort  ,  she's  surprised  that  it'd  taken  this  long  for  something  to  go  wrong  for  her.  Nefer  was  expecting  worse  was  still  to  come  ,  no  break  in  her  thoughts  until  the  first  cotton  ball  just  grazed  her  skin. 

Wincing  hard  ,  it  took  her  a  moment  to  settle  back  down  ,  if  he  had  told  her  that  he  was  going  to  start  ,  she  hadn't  have  heard  him  ,  too  wrapped  up  in  potential  disasters.  Her  claws  dug  into  her  palms  as  Alhaitham  tended  to  her  wound.  She  knew  this  was  necessary  ,  but  archon's  did  she  wish  that  it  wasn't  this  painful. 

Feeling  as  though  the  cleaning  process  was  taking  an  age  ,  Nefer  grew  impatient  ,  relieved  when  the  gauze  was  finally  placed  across  the  gash  and  the  wrapping  wasn't  too  tight.  The  burning  sensation  had  subsided  and  now  she  was  left  with  a  dull  ache. 

Breathing  easier  as  the  scribe  too  a  step  back  she  took  a  moment  before  pushing  herself  up  to  a  sitting  position.  ❝  thank  you  ,  I  wouldn't  have  been  as  thorough  ❞  ,  no  she'd  have  wanted  to  get  it  over  with  as  fast  as  possible. 

❝  I  think  I  can  manage  ,  maybe  just  a  little  wobbly  after  laying  down  ❞.  She  dare  not  put  weight  on  her  leg  just  yet.

“  It  is  hard  to  tend  to  a  wound  by  yourself.  That  is  why  it  is  always  better  to  take  the  help  you  can  get.  Not  that  it  gets  any  easier.  ”  He  was  well-acquainted  with  that  fact,  because  he  tried  desperately  to  avoid  seeking  help  too.  The  situation,  if  he  were  in  her  shoes,  would  be  unsurprisingly  the  same  and  he  was  aware  of  that  fact.

“  I  will  help  you  get  wherever  it  is  you  need  to  go.  It  would  be  best  if  I  carry  you,  so  do  stay  still.  ”  He  let  her  know  with  a  tiny  smile,  roping  his  arm  under  her  torso  and  her  knees  to  hoist  her  up  into  his  arms.  The  scholar  took  a  few  moments  to  get  the  two  situated  comfortably,  taking  extra  care  in  avoiding  looking  down  at  her  face  during  the  situation  because  he  didn't  wish  to  cause  her  any  further  embarrassment.

"oh,  we're  giving  the  silent  treatment  now!?  mature,  very  mature."

They made me play yaoi chess in my open world game bruh

You know what? I'm through with it, I'm through running. I'm ready to find my purpose.

Believe what you want to, whatever it takes to make you happy.

My brother was no liar!

Call me old-fashioned, but I was hoping for a treasure whose worth we could measure.

If I could protect but one person from war's horror, then I would bear any shame.

Let me show you how it's done!

You've let your eyes betray your heart…

The gods are toying with us.

I got you some of those flowers you like.

Are you as witless as you are craven?

It's a beautiful view… except for you.

Try to grow up, please?

I hear the cry of a terrible power…

It's not easy being this popular, you know.

Happy you get to teach me something for a change?

My hands are stained with blood. I see little reason to stay them now.

The time has come to tell you the truth of it.

Even with power, we cannot change what has passed. What is done, is done.

There's a proper way to do everything.

Are you mad?!

I am simply myself. No more and no less.

I could not protect my home. What is shame to me?

The past can bind a man as surely as irons.

What's wrong with her?

At least we thought to bring entertainment.

Spare me your lies! I see the serpent coiled here before me!

Do not tell me you join in this mummer's farce!

Even a stray has pride!

If you are so set on running, hadn't you best be off?

I am simply myself. No more and no less. And I want only to be free.

Try to grow up, please.

I am no false saint for you to use.

Do the dead not demand vengeance?

Preen and strut as you like! In the end, we are the same. Blood thirsting carrion birds, hell-bent on revenge!

I'm the leading man. You know what they say about the leading man? He never dies

You don't need to worry about me -- I'm tougher than I look.

Seems like you're in more of a supporting role

❝  someone  who  respects  the  boundaries  of  others  ,  rare  find  ❞.   Unfortunately  it  seemed  ingrained  into  her  that  Nefer  felt  the  need  to  make  care  impossible  for  herself  ,  too  much  loss  and  bloodshed  does  that  to  a  person  ,  that  perhaps  she'd  taint  any  good  thing  that  she  touched  ,  especially  out  here  in  the  desert.  ❝  you  carry  a  first  aid  kit  ?  ❞  ,  unsure  whether  to  be  impressed  or  judgemental.  She  was  at  least  glad  to  be  in  a  private  area  ,  understanding  why  she  hadn't  been  left  completely  alone  ,  but  still  glad  to  have  her  space. 

She  fought  with  her  legs  mainly  ,  vision  allowing  her  the  power  of  force  ,  but  not  a  protective  barrier.  The  seering  pain  still  rife  as  the  wound  on  her  thigh  still  felt  like  it  was  actively  burning.  She'd  delt  with  her  own  injuries  before  ,  there  was  many  thing  Nefer  had  learnt  ,  or  be  forced  to  do  alone  ,  but  some  how  ,  even  with  the  right  equiptment  sterile  and  in  hand  ,  she  couldn't  bring  herself  to  go  near  it. 

❝  I  -  ❞ a  defeated  sigh  ,  hands  still  trembling  fell  into  her  lap.  ❝  I  do  not  think  I  am  able  to  care  for  this  myself  ❞ ,  a  knowing  look  towards  the  other.  She  didn't  want  to  be  touched  ,  nor  did  she  want  to  accept  help  ,  yet  when  need  outweighted  the  comfort  of  help  ,  Nefer  wasn't  left  with  much  choice  in  the  matter.  ❝  I  suppose  ,  I  could  allow  you  to  look  ,  if  you're  willing  ❞.

“ Yes,  I  carry  a  first  aid  kit  because  I  live  in  the  jungle  and  live  with  an  accident-prone  manchild. ”  Despite  the  harsh  words,  there  was  no  harshness  in  his  voice  as  he  explained  himself.  That  wasn’t  exactly  the  only  reason  —  they  were  fairly  active  and  so  injuries  were  commonplace  especially  when  it  came  to  geographical  surveying  that  both  him  and  Kaveh  would  end  up  doing  for  potential  new  sites.

At  no  point  during  her  struggle  did  Alhaitham  butt  in  to  help  as  he  could  tell  that  neither  of  them  had  interest  in  touching  each  other  if  they  could  avoid  it  and  even  though  he  could’ve  commented  on  her  change  of  feelings—  it  was  pointless  and  inevitably  a  waste  of  both  their  time.  It  was  better  that  he  tended  to  her  wounds  without  additional  words  said.

He  nodded,  stepping  closer  into  her  personal  space  to  help  her  settle  down  and  gently  directing  her  onto  her  side  with  his  fingers  on  her  thigh.  He  pulled  out  a  rinse  to  pour  over  and  clean  the  wound  before  dabbing  it  with  a  cotton  ball.  The  scribe  was  silent  as  he  did  so,  staring  intently  as  he  worked  as  if  he  was  some  sort  of  doctor.  Gauze,  then  wrapping  it  up  firmly  before  he  pulled  out  of  Nefer’s  space  and  stood  up.

send one to have our muses meet for the first time.

“Sorry, were you just talking to me?”

“I think you dropped this.”

“You look lost. Need some help?”

“I don’t usually talk to strangers, but…”

“You’re sitting in my spot.”

“Whoa! Careful!”

“We’ve never met, right? You seem familiar.”

“Is that seat taken?”

“Sorry, I think I just spilled something on you.”

“You’re blocking the doorway.”

“Were you just staring at me?”

“Excuse me, do you know the time?”

“Wait — are you the person I’m supposed to meet?”

“I’ve been sent to find you.”

“Please don’t be alarmed, but I think we have the same bag.”

“Do you work here?”

“I’m fairly certain that’s mine.”

“You’ve got something on your face.”

“Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

“Do you know the way to ___?”

“You’re hurt. Do you need help?”

“That’s a fine ___ (cloak/hat/book/etc.). Where did you get it?”

“This might sound strange, but can I hide behind you for a moment?”

“You look like you could use a friend.”

“I think your dog just stole my lunch.”

“Hey, you dropped your coin purse.”

“I think we’re stuck in here together.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but…”

“Are you the new neighbor?”

“First time in town?”

“I’m not sure if this belongs to you, but…”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“I think you’re in the wrong place.”

“You seem… out of place.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but are you following me?”

“That was a close call.”

“Not to alarm you, but someone’s watching you.”

“Mind if I walk with you?”

“You look like you’re in trouble.”

“Was that your doing back there?”

“You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“That was impressive. How’d you manage it?”

“I’m guessing you’re not here by accident.”

“Do I want to know what just happened?”

“You might want to keep your voice down.”

“Is it always this strange around here?”

“I have a feeling we’re about to become acquainted whether we like it or not.”