Thalassa
The fire is controlled, only devouring the evidence of her weakness before winking out, leaving the smell of charred wood and sea salt. The source of her anger isn't here, so she pulls the heat in, directing the frustration at herself and all that she's missed in her despondent state. It makes sense to her now that she isn't in denial about her infection. Flora had been infected herself, of course she'd be able to recognize the signs, and then it's only logical that she'd tell Asta... But that feels like forever ago - months that she'd been living in a haze of blissful delusion. And when she thinks back to when it'd all started at the end of Flowerbirth... Thal grits her teeth. "So almost the whole time."
Her hands move to her hair, gripping harshly against the strands before shifting to grab at her horns, trying to think of every interaction where she'd been a bumbling fool in front of him. The battle with the Void villis where she hadn't tried to kill it once when it'd tried to hurt him. Their walk back when she didn't wipe the Void riverstars from existence for attacking him. The following lunch where she'd tried to interrogate him. The drink on her ship and how she'd wanted him to join her and the Family. Her incapacitation after Pierce left when he'd had to coddle her like an invalid. The Masquerade where she'd been so distracted that she hadn't been able to think, insulting him and Danta and getting in a fight with Maea. All of it. She's been such an idiot and an even worse friend.
When she sits back on her heels to look up at him, Thal can feel the panic rising, pain and regret overshadowing the violence that boils inside. "Asta, I - Damn it. I'm so sorry. I - " Her head shakes, wishing she could clear the guilt. "I can't believe I put you through all that - I can't believe you wasted a Rose on me." She finally stands, slow and cautious like a sudden movement might be the last straw that sends him running but rushed in hopes of catching him.
Then her eyes fall to the Rose that hangs limp between them, the precious magic spent on someone who doesn't deserve it.
Her throat tightens, trying to understand as she stares at the pitiful flower. "You should have left me." Thal can feel the emotions pressing against the back of her eyes as she adds, "I would have." Other people had thought she was a lost cause. Most didn't think she was worth the time of day - that she was a menace to society. Asta might her friend, but she'd been so cruel to him. Why did he care so much?
Her hands move to her hair, gripping harshly against the strands before shifting to grab at her horns, trying to think of every interaction where she'd been a bumbling fool in front of him. The battle with the Void villis where she hadn't tried to kill it once when it'd tried to hurt him. Their walk back when she didn't wipe the Void riverstars from existence for attacking him. The following lunch where she'd tried to interrogate him. The drink on her ship and how she'd wanted him to join her and the Family. Her incapacitation after Pierce left when he'd had to coddle her like an invalid. The Masquerade where she'd been so distracted that she hadn't been able to think, insulting him and Danta and getting in a fight with Maea. All of it. She's been such an idiot and an even worse friend.
When she sits back on her heels to look up at him, Thal can feel the panic rising, pain and regret overshadowing the violence that boils inside. "Asta, I - Damn it. I'm so sorry. I - " Her head shakes, wishing she could clear the guilt. "I can't believe I put you through all that - I can't believe you wasted a Rose on me." She finally stands, slow and cautious like a sudden movement might be the last straw that sends him running but rushed in hopes of catching him.
Then her eyes fall to the Rose that hangs limp between them, the precious magic spent on someone who doesn't deserve it.
Her throat tightens, trying to understand as she stares at the pitiful flower. "You should have left me." Thal can feel the emotions pressing against the back of her eyes as she adds, "I would have." Other people had thought she was a lost cause. Most didn't think she was worth the time of day - that she was a menace to society. Asta might her friend, but she'd been so cruel to him. Why did he care so much?
Don't ask questions you don't wanna know
Learned my lesson way too long ago
Learned my lesson way too long ago
