you broke me and left these pieces

// once you're in my shining cathedral, heed the tolling bell //

His heart aches for her as he watches her - even if his tone of voice seems light and easy, the explanation rolling off of his tongue. It’s hard for him to see her like this and he’s sure it’s even harder for her to let him see her like this. And while, any other time, he might have said fuck it and ensured he’d stayed with her through the night, the changes in his attitude and behavior from the Feirw make it virtually impossible for him to feel comfortable being away from home for too long, especially without knowing if Danta was okay.

So instead, he draws quiet and watches her as she draws silent and exhausted, and the butcher takes the moment to down the rest of the liquor in the glass, raising the flame of the fireplace higher. “Let us get you to bed, darling. You may be so exhausted you will not dream. And in the morning, if you are still feeling just as dreadful, you can come and see me in the Dusklight?” That way she wouldn’t be alone. “You could stay in my old room if you would prefer.” And he could keep an eye on her along with an eye on Danta, alleviate both of his problems at once.

Either way, the butcher shifts to stand and step over toward her chair, crouching with a crackle of his knees as he blinks up at her, his shadow moving to slink over to his side with a sharp grin of agreement as if he could convince her to if the butcher couldn’t.

Astaroth

// it's the final sound you hear as you descend to hell //