With Pace and a Fury Defiant

Are you okay? He offered her a tight grin. A nod in acknowledgment- but perhaps it could be confused as a nod in agreement. He simply wasn’t going to keep unloading on her. She could see right through him. He was certain that was burden enough to bear. 

As she tried to justify his own actions to him, he couldn’t help the annoyance that was quickly beginning to bloom in his chest. “And what about the girl that I hunted for Sephiran? I killed her, and he violated her as she drew her last breaths. What part of that was pure?” Aresenn answered with a fury in his tone that surprised him. He couldn't help but picture the wretched girl's body lying there on the cold stone floor of the cave- he couldn't remember the act of it, but once again, the evidence had been damning. However, he suddenly recognized while he was very frustrated with himself- that shouldn't be taken out on Absinth. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice.” This time, he was far more conscious of keeping his frustrations in check. It certainly wasn't her fault. He looked her over then, searching for any sign of discouragement or resentment. But when he didn't see anything right away, he sighed. "Thanks for the reassurance- but I don’t want to be forgiven.” Not by her. Certainly not by himself.

A part of him appreciated the resistance to his suggestion of running. He didn’t want her to. However, it was a very selfish part of him, and he hated that he recognized it. With confidence, she absorbed the risk of all future encounters- it was just a shame that she had to. “I don’t want you to be weak or faint-hearted.” Aresenn answered lowly, maintaining his line of sight with those emerald eyes of hers. He couldn’t help but crave her touch then- perhaps he may have even subtly begun to lean in for it. But there was still so much left unsaid. “But I also don’t want to put you at risk for selfish reasons either.” Even if she said she didn’t play things safe … he still wanted that for her. 

"Aresenn Praetor"