\\ Get my pretty name out of your mouth \\
It felt like Maea had finally reached the point of exhaustive truth, the kind without a carefully curated filter or rosy hues, the one that showed Thal exactly what she still thought of Asta. And it made her blood boil. She clenched her fists, feeling the returning anger flare at the thought of this twisted game Maea had made out of everything, this shifting blame and empty apologies.
As she moved past, Thal let out a low growl, her fangs baring in frustration and disbelief. "Then why lie to him again? Why act like you want to 'compromise' when nothing but stopping would be enough for you? Why pretend like you're sorry?! You don't care about anything except your own conscious and don't pretend otherwise." They both knew her only motive for wanting Asta's forgiveness would be to clear any guilt that still lingered, the dark blemish on her otherwise pure soul.
Her head threw back in a laugh, unable to believe that Maea could be so thick skulled. "Is that what we're calling your icy fortress now? 'Boundaries?'" She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, holding back another bout of humorless laughter in the shake of her head. Looking back at the pale Ancient, she pointed her finger. "I'm pissed because you didn't tell me something important. The fact that you don't get that or realize that I would never hurt you means your ethical soap box isn't high enough to let you see the reality beyond your pristine castle walls."
The barrage of words and emotions continued to beat against her; pity, shame, confusion, hurt, guilt. Thal turned away, tail lashing as she pushed aside all the anxieties for anger, clutching to it like an anchor in a storm of insecurities. She wasn't the problem, and despite the uncertainty trying to climb aboard, she refused to let Maea capsize her.
Spinning on her heels, she clung to every bit of confidence she could muster to fuel the fire in her eyes. "I show up, Maea." Her jaw clenched, brows furrowed in rage. "I won't coddle you with pretty words or lie just to make you feel better. I won't pretend like I agree with whatever righteous nonsense you've decided to take a stand against this time, or whatever self-deprecating lies you've decided to tell yourself. I will never be that kind of friend." If she was looking for kind words or validation, she wouldn't find it in Thal, because those capabilities had burnt up long ago, leaving nothing but a violent blaze of loyalty to show for her affections. "But I stood by you against the Void multiple times. I supported your decision to move out of the Grounds and helped you do so. I helped you look for and find the Rose. And most inexplicable of all, I would have done anything to stop your death." She sneered at the last sentence, knowing full well that she would have taken Maea's place in a heartbeat, even as she wondered whether she'd make the same decision now.
"Actions speak louder than words, Maea, and I think mine speak for themselves." As she stood, hands clenched at her side and teeth bared, there was a challenge in her eyes, one that asked, 'What do yours say?'
As she moved past, Thal let out a low growl, her fangs baring in frustration and disbelief. "Then why lie to him again? Why act like you want to 'compromise' when nothing but stopping would be enough for you? Why pretend like you're sorry?! You don't care about anything except your own conscious and don't pretend otherwise." They both knew her only motive for wanting Asta's forgiveness would be to clear any guilt that still lingered, the dark blemish on her otherwise pure soul.
Her head threw back in a laugh, unable to believe that Maea could be so thick skulled. "Is that what we're calling your icy fortress now? 'Boundaries?'" She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, holding back another bout of humorless laughter in the shake of her head. Looking back at the pale Ancient, she pointed her finger. "I'm pissed because you didn't tell me something important. The fact that you don't get that or realize that I would never hurt you means your ethical soap box isn't high enough to let you see the reality beyond your pristine castle walls."
The barrage of words and emotions continued to beat against her; pity, shame, confusion, hurt, guilt. Thal turned away, tail lashing as she pushed aside all the anxieties for anger, clutching to it like an anchor in a storm of insecurities. She wasn't the problem, and despite the uncertainty trying to climb aboard, she refused to let Maea capsize her.
Spinning on her heels, she clung to every bit of confidence she could muster to fuel the fire in her eyes. "I show up, Maea." Her jaw clenched, brows furrowed in rage. "I won't coddle you with pretty words or lie just to make you feel better. I won't pretend like I agree with whatever righteous nonsense you've decided to take a stand against this time, or whatever self-deprecating lies you've decided to tell yourself. I will never be that kind of friend." If she was looking for kind words or validation, she wouldn't find it in Thal, because those capabilities had burnt up long ago, leaving nothing but a violent blaze of loyalty to show for her affections. "But I stood by you against the Void multiple times. I supported your decision to move out of the Grounds and helped you do so. I helped you look for and find the Rose. And most inexplicable of all, I would have done anything to stop your death." She sneered at the last sentence, knowing full well that she would have taken Maea's place in a heartbeat, even as she wondered whether she'd make the same decision now.
"Actions speak louder than words, Maea, and I think mine speak for themselves." As she stood, hands clenched at her side and teeth bared, there was a challenge in her eyes, one that asked, 'What do yours say?'
Thalassa
