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[deadelfwalking]

 

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"Leave a message, if you must."

image from obliterating <3

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[deadelfwalking]

[frown. He's loathe to leave his post, especially given all the recent tension, but ...]

So long as it's quick.

[highhealplz]

It will be. [ probably... ] I'm in the fifth VR room.

[deadelfwalking]

[He's along shortly, pushing into the room with a small frown on his face. What could possibly be so important?]

Go on.

[highhealplz]

[ And because Ashraf can never just go into a VR room, today's scene is the floating city of Juno. It's all pale stones and blue glowing glyphs to keep the city supported in empty air, and far, far below lies Rune Midgard. Ashraf's smile is wan as he turns toward Koltira, but there nonetheless. ]

Hey. How's Seviilia holding up?

[deadelfwalking]

[The scenery reminds him of his world's own floating city -- Dalaran, the kingdom of mages. He glances at it briefly before looking back to Ashraf; shrugging.]

As well as can be expected.

[highhealplz]

[ He nods, and, after a slight hesitation: ] And you?

[deadelfwalking]

[His jaw tightens.]

The same.

[highhealplz]

[ He nods again, but this time it leaves him staring at the etched cobblestones below his feet. ]

...Sorry, I know I said this wouldn't take long.

[ He rubs the back of his neck, awkward. It's hard to know how to dive into this. Of course he'd rehearsed his approach earlier, but it's all left his mind by now. He's quiet a few seconds, working up to it again. ]

[deadelfwalking]

[Koltira doesn't reply. He just folds his arms over his chest, and he waits.]

[highhealplz]

[ Eventually he sighs, looks up again, and squares his shoulders. ]

I talked to Sonya. It went as poorly as you might imagine — but she did point out I was being selfish. [ A little lower: ] Making choices for people again.

[deadelfwalking]

[Koltira had a feeling this was going to be the topic of conversation. He sighs.]

Be with her, Ashraf.

[highhealplz]

[ He looks instantly guilty, shoulders right back to slumped again. ]

Even if I were, I'd still love you. I don't know if she could accept that.

[deadelfwalking]

You can forget me, in time.

[highhealplz]

[ He studies him sadly for a moment. ]

You're a terrible judge of your own worth, Koltira. [ And he probably shouldn't, but he steps closer, reaching for one of his hands. Gauntleted, as always, but that doesn't stop him. ] Stubborn and obstinate, maybe, but you've taught me lessons I needed, and won't ever forget.

[deadelfwalking]

[Koltira takes Ashraf's hand, but murmurs.]

So remember those. Leave the rest.

[highhealplz]

And— [ He leans in a little to look up at him with a quirked smile, subdued as it may be. ] You know, I've loved you since before I even met Olivia. That's not going to just fade, no matter what I do.

[deadelfwalking]

[he shrugs.]

You never spoke of it.

[So it must not have meant that much.]

[highhealplz]

I know.

[ The smile fades again. Regrets, man! And these particular regrets he can still remember clearly. Guilt is nice like that. ]

You're a man. I didn't really think it was an option for myself, let alone that you'd accept it.

[deadelfwalking]

[He doesn't really process this.]

What does my being a man have to do with anything?

[highhealplz]

[ He frowns. ]

Your world doesn't frown on men together, or women together? They seem so similar otherwise.

[deadelfwalking]

We don't have time to care.

[highhealplz]

[ His smile is small and humorless. ]

The Church found time to care, and I followed their teachings pretty closely.

[deadelfwalking]

The Holy Light does not dictate such things. It preaches love, optimism. Acceptance. [he shrugs.] But we have no gods to answer to, either. Only ourselves, and the energy we create.

[highhealplz]

[ For once, he just shrugs too. Other religions are generally fascinating to learn about, but they're far from his mind today. ]

Well, in any case, what I was taught was enough to make me stay quiet about my feelings. I wish it'd been otherwise, but... [ but he was kinda a prick, lbr. ]

[deadelfwalking]

No matter. You need not concern yourself. Pursue the woman.