DEIMOS
With the companions settled comfortably, content, the beast continued in his manifestations: the work bristling in finishing accords, warping, sculpting, molding in its metallic precision. Until finally it seemed rendered complete – a shiny obsidian lacquer to polish it with a vicious sheen. He held it aloft in his fingers, spinning from the handle to inspect each side, and when the details seemed adequate and defined, he set it down along the snow, where it stood out in the stark oblivion. Not to be left idle, he then snagged for his bag, grabbing hold of lengthy cloak, and then placing it along the boulder in front of him.All the while, his attention meandered and riveted to Loren’s tale, piercing gaze riveting back to the Firebrand as detail upon detail came to light. The metal had been wanted by the Voice – the Flood and Nate intermingling, sharing the details. The healer hanging onto it, uncertain perhaps, intending for the lily mending to be sanctified first. Had everyone been in disarray when they discovered the Ascended couldn’t drink the water? Had they been suspicious the other method, rendered seemingly by Old Gods, wouldn’t suffice? A healthy presumption, given the previous results, and so he sighed, elbow leaning upon his thigh, chin in his hand, staring at the man. What was there to say in such a platitude of drama? “So you will be taking a break.” From the theatrics, from the noise, noise, noise – understandable, yearning, wanting to escape.
But how far, how long, could one run from their own errors, faults, failures, and mistakes? From flaws? From those who demanded?
Loren would receive no judgment from him. It sounded as though he’d had quite enough already – and Deimos wasn’t in a position to counter, uncertain where he’d fall if left in the same regard. Instead, an inquiry, merely another form of curiosity, the tones, the features, habitually neutral, stoic, and impassive, a reticence building behind his stare. “Did you bring it because they cornered you?” Forced his hand? Or because it seemed just and fair?
He was something solid
to lean against
violent and fierce and unmoving
