[Audio]

[angha_firebird]

B...Bobby?

[There's horror and traumatized fear in her tone.]

Zachariah?

Zhaneel! Varric...

[She isn't bothering to withhold her cries, or whimpers of pain. She had done something terrible. Horrible. She deserved to be punished. She deserved...]

I am... so sorry...

[Crying can be heard before she is able to switch off the audio. She doesn't

Comments

[commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[A concerned and pained whimper leaves her when she sees his sling. Fresh tears prickle at her eyes, and she firmly attempts to keep them from falling. It would only worry him more, after all, and he was the victim.]

How are you feeling?

[Tentatively her hand reaches out, as if searching for and wishing to soothe all his aches and pains, but she realizes she already hurt him enough. Her fingers curl away and she brings her hand back, holding it to her with the other.]

I--yes...

[The bile is back in her throat. She finds it hard to breathe, and she cannot look at him when she speaks her betrayal.]

I hurt you. [Her words are hoarse and cracked.]

The one who hurt you... [She finally meets his eyes, and hot tears are streaming down her face.] ...Was I.

[She braces for it. The pain. The expression of anger and betrayal. Any second he would strike out against her. Any second he would tell her to go. To never show her face again. Her shoulders slump and she hangs her head, a rough sob rising from her chest. She backs away a step. Half a step.]

I am so sorry. I am... so so very sorry. Zachariah...

It was me...

[Her entire body is trembling.]

[commentlog]

[helluvachin]

[There's no anger, but there is a lot of confusion. So much so that he completely ignores her first question and just kind of stares at her in disbelief.]

What are you talking about? I never even saw you that day.

[He was attacked by two weird looking lizard things, not Aara. Hell he doubts Aara could even throw a punch. She's about as fearsome as a baby bunny.]

[commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[Expression crumpling, Aara slowly shakes her head.]

There is... something I have not told you. About my race. What I am.

[Aara does not want to do this, but Zachariah deserves an explanation. He will by far be the hardest person to tell.]

When I say I am angha... that means I am able to take another form. Actually... I should never have survived the transformation. ...I should be dead.

[She is throwing too much information at him at once. Swalllowing past her fear of rejection--the hurt she knows she now caused him, Aara shakes her head. She deserves such rejection. At the very least.]

I...can take the form of a white dragon. I was... sick, and attacked you. There is no excuse for harming a friend in such a way.

[She meets his gaze once more, wondering what she will see in them through her tears.]

I am sorry.

WHOOPS THOUGHT I TAGGED THIS [commentlog]

[helluvachin]

[He just stands there as she unloads all of this on him.]

Aara...

[This barely makes any sense to him. He's never heard of anything that can change their forms before, well except in story books. Then again he knows a gryphon and a giant metal robot so is this really that farfetched?]

It's alright. I'm not mad.

[Riah doesn't hold grudges. In his entire life there's only one person he outright hates. People are generally good and he'll believe that until the day he dies. Aara is one of the nicest people he knows. There's no way she would have done any of this in her right mind. Her tears are proof of that.]

You didn't mean to. You were sick. I don't blame you.

[He takes a step towards her and reaches his hand out.]

Maybe I'm a little banged up, but I'm alive. It's okay.

[commentlog] dfkjrsf T___T <333

[angha_firebird]

[Of all the things Aara expected he might do, this was one reaction she hadn't allowed herself to dare hope. His words--his gentleness--his hand reaching toward her when she thought he would wish nothing more than to flinch away--a sob escapes. Then another. More tears build, then tumble down the length of Aara's cheeks.]

I didn't mean to... I never--I did not--

[She wants to throw herself into his arms and cry her little heart out--but he's injured and sore. Still. She steps toward him. One step. Two. She looks up at him to see if he will pull away as her own hand tentatively reaches for him. It will astound her if he does not pull away.]

Zach...ariah?

[Was it really okay?]

[commentlog]

[helluvachin]

[Thank you for that Aara. Hugs would hurt right now.

He places his hand softly on her shoulder.]

I know Aara. It's okay. I'm promise I'm not mad.

[If anything he's a bit relieved. This means there isn't a lizard monster hunting him.]

[commentlog] Pfft! lol!

[angha_firebird]

[When he puts his hand on her shoulder, Aara's tensed muscles finally relax. She reaches up with her hand and thankfully grasps at his forearm, leaning in to his touch. She almost can't believe it was so simple. That he could forgive her so easily. That he had that much mercy and acceptance...she almost couldn't believe it.]

Thank you. Zachariah, thank you. I would never--if I had not been sick I would never have harmed you while in my other form. I do not want you to fear me. I--

You are sure you are not angry with me?

[Even if he did forgive her, she believed it would take her quite a while longer to forgive herself...]

[commentlog] FFFF I COULD HAVE SWORN I TAGGED THIS AGAIN

[helluvachin]

[Forgiveness is kind of his thing. People always deserve another chance. His dearest and closest friend is a big. badass mercenary and that doesn't bother him in the slightest. Although she is extremely protective of him. Then again so is he in his own ways.]

I know Aara I know. Trust me it takes a lot more than that to scare me.

[Okay that's not entirely true. A dragon trying to eat him is pretty terrifying.]

I'm pretty sure.

[commentlog] :3 No worries

[angha_firebird]

[She doesn't know whether to laugh more or cry at that, so her body does a little of both. At least there is a hint of a smile on her face, though?]

...achariah...

[Then another little startled laugh escapes her, and she shakes her head, moving a hand up to palm away her tears. She's so tired, suddenly. All this worrying and crying. Her eyes feel heavy.]

[commentlog] \o/

[helluvachin]

Hey now, no more crying alright. I've already forgiven you. It's okay.

[Of course Zachariah's got a good idea what she's going through. In his time in Deadworld he's hurt his share of people and he seriously doubts that most of them really deserved it. For that, he still blames himself to this day. Hopefully forgiving Aara will help her begin to forgive herself.

A nap might not hurt either. The girl looks like she put herself through the ringer.]

[commentlog] <333

[angha_firebird]

[He had already forgiven her. So quickly. Easily. Her respect and admiration for him tripled in that moment. Taking a deep breath, Aara nods her head and focuses her mind on something else. She blinks until the tears stop coming, breathing deeply and calmly.]

Thank you...

[Apparently she couldn't say it enough.]

[commentlog]

[helluvachin]

Don't worry about it.

[So he starts to notice. He's really not used to this kind of gratitude, even from his clients. It kind of embarrassing really, but he's happy he can help her.]

But if you really want to thank me go get some rest. You really look like you need it.

[commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[Rubbing at weary eyes, Aara shifts her weight, then slowly nods. She needs sleep. She just didn't know if she would easily attain it.]

Okay. You... you rest up too, okay?

[Now that concern is back in her gaze.]

Please feel better soon...

[Slowly backing up towards the doors to the stable, Aara levels her gaze at him to show Zachariah she means it. She was more concerned over him getting better, than any lack of sleep she might have.]

If... If there is anything you need, or that will make you more comfortable, you will tell me, right?

[commentlog]

[helluvachin]

That's about all I can do right now.

[He just smiles at her as begins to leave and nods his head.]

Don't worry, I'll tell you.

[commentlog]

[angha_firebird]

[A huge sigh of relief leaves Aara at that. The smile that finds her lips is truly happy, relieved, and grateful.]

Good.

[She smiles happily a little while longer, giving Riah a small nod before finally turning to leave the stable. Right before she's about to exit she pauses, however, another thought entirely reemerging before she turns to look at Zachariah with no small amount of uncertainty in her gaze.]

I wrote... to Abeni before I came here.

[Suddenly she finds it hard to swallow. Hard to breathe. Brow knitting together, Aara looks down to the ground in considered thought and concern, hoping to get this out so she doesn't have to make the situation hard on Zachariah. She doesn't want to make the situation seem bigger or worse than it already was.]

I don't blame her... for blaming me. I am the one who hurt you. Just know that... I do not mind. She is your friend, and wishes to keep you safe. Her heart is in a good place. Her honor is...

[Taking a deep breath, Aara shakes her head, lifts her chin, and forces a bit of a smile.]

I have been disliked before. It is nothing new to me. I do not blame your friend for wishing to keep you safe, and I am strong enough not to let her anger hurt me.

[There. She said it standing tall and proud.]

Get better, Zachariah.

[And here's where she turns to leave, having said her piece. If Zachariah feels it imperative, he might catch her if he calls out to her. Otherwise--she's gone.]