It's just the trauma talking

"He's not the only one by the look of it, either," Ronin remarked of Soot as Ashe took a long pull from her flask. He accepted it as it was offered nonetheless, taking a drink and tipping it to her in a toast before handing it back. Ronin knew well the allure of numbing ones senses, and without the General of the Storm to mind his back it was easy to fall back into old habits. Not that he thought it was a bad thing or intended to go off the rails - Ronin had been too uptight back in Northaven towards the end, and the stress of it was damaging him. He could only give a bashful smile and a shrug at her remark; time would tell if it really suited him, but there was no hiding how pleased he was about it. A soft sigh escaped Ronin as Ashe spoke of what had happened between her and her now ex-husband, the guildmaster brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. "Or maybe he just wasn't right for you anymore," he murmured. "There's no shame in that, Ashe. What fit before might not always fit. People grow, they need different things." It was why he thanked his lucky stars every time he got to slip off to sleep with Vanya in his arms. Gently, Ronin gave her hand a squeeze, a sad smile on his face as he watched her visibly swallow down her emotions. Soot was a small distraction, and he watched the spindly creature weave about to get to the wine with a smile he couldn't help, though it disappeared as Ashe totally disregarded herself - and told him not to worry. As if. Ronin snorted and slouched back in his chair to fold his arms across his chest, regarding her as though she had just grown an extra head. "Don't worry about you. Your needs don't matter. You really think that's going to fly with me? You're family." Letting out a sigh, he reluctantly allowed her to change the subject - for now. "Being busy is a habit I've not been able to get out of," he agreed, glancing around the guildhall. "I just couldn't fall back into old habits when I knew what was out there. Back in Northaven, there was so much that was unknown. I know the thing that is putting people in danger here - I felt its teeth. So why would I build up our defences when I can actively try to solve the problem?" He shrugged. "I could use a hand, though." RONIN Darkness is a funny thing. It creeps up on you.