Aara Awakens - Closed
Who: Xanth stillseecracks and Aara angha_firebird
Where: Around the barracks -- Then probably in one of their rooms?
When: After Aara wakes from dying( Read more... )
Where: Around the barracks -- Then probably in one of their rooms?
When: After Aara wakes from dying( Read more... )
After the events in the library, two days of solitude helped him piece himself back together. He's headed back to his room now, but a shriek rings out.
Xanth stops cold, fingers curling to grip a weapon that isn't there. Adrenaline surges past the numbing fog and Xanth strides around a corner, prepared for any danger.
But he was not prepared for this.
"A--Aara!"
Reply
Another whimper escapes. Her expression crumples into one of misery and terror. She doesn't want this. She doesn't want to fight.
So instead, she glances around for an exit--any exit--so she might escape any pain or added terror.
Reply
"A-Aara, it, i-it's me. X--Xanth." He takes one step towards her. "It-- I-I'm not-- I-I won't hurt you, i-it's, it's o-okay..."
Reply
Reply
"D-Don't worry," he says, and he tries for a gentle smile. "You-- y-you're-- you're s-safe."
Reply
She vaguely remembered that word. It was good. Something she needed.
Because she didn't feel safe.
A high-pitched whimper escapes her. She edged her head away a little when Xanth crouched before her. He was being careful, though. Lowering himself to her level. She didn't sense any threat...
She turns back to look at that outstretched hand. It seemed familiar to her for some reason--when there was no reason for that to be so. She wants to trust him. She wants to feel safe.
With slow, uncertain movements, Aara tentatively reaches one bloodied hand out to him, watching his face intently--still somewhat uncertain.
Reply
Xanth is repeating himself, but he has to reinforce that everything is just fine. No one will hurt Aara now - especially not him.
Just as hesitant and just as careful, Xanth takes Aara's hand.
Reply
He won't hurt her.
Her hand tightens slightly about his. She slowly edges away from the wall only to huddle low to the ground and closer to Xanth. Another helpless sound resonates in her throat.
Reply
He rubs his hand gently against Aara's bare back, repeating his stuttered assurances all the while.
Reply
Reply
Eventually, he shrugs the shirt off, and then lays it across Aara's back. It may be ruined by the blood, but he doesn't care; what matters is Aara's comfort. She's not said a single word yet, and that's worrying.
Reply
B...blood...
She looks to Xanth, as if he might be able to reassure her, or explain why it was there. She didn't like that there wass sk much blood, all over her.
And now it was on his shirt. Why would he offer it if it would get ruined?
Reply
"Y-Yeah, but-- y-you're okay. I-- I'll k-keep you s--safe." Xanth takes Aara's hand, squeezing it, and slowly rises to his feet. "C-Come on, l-let's-- let's get you c-cleaned up." And dressed, he adds mentally, though neither of those are the main reason he wants to get Aara out of the halls.
The main reason is that Aara is covered in blood. One might assume that she's infected, and the idea that she is has crossed Xanth's mind. She is the opposite of aggressive, so Xanth doesn't think it likely, but better to isolate her so that no one else makes the mistake.
Reply
Reply
Then, providing they don't fall into a heap of half-clothed limbs, he'll continue on. But at such a slow pace, it'll be quite a few minutes before they reach it.
He'll keep talking in hopes of keeping Aara calm.
"H...How're you f--feeling?"
Reply
"Was scared..." She knows that much to be true, at least.
Pressing her lips together, Aara considers the correct words.
"Sad. Scared. Lost."Those were about right.
"Needed to get away?" She looks back at Xanth in question, wondering if he understood those things. Was it normal to feel that way?
Reply
Leave a comment