ㅤㅤthe way the world spun as she was thrown to the bed was like an array of dazzling colors , but her stomach lurched in protest , and her mind became hyperaware that this was a danger ... and delighted in it . do it , her mind whispered , glacier eyes meeting their match in hati's , desperate to feel the violence roiling under his skin , to feel it seep into her own with his blow of anger .
ㅤㅤbut it missed . her head turned to the impact in shock , to that scarred up , where her claws had lacerated and torn out of fear and desperation . out of survival . she looks back at him , breathing heavily , things slowing down for a moment . isn't that how they both were made ? out of survival ? willing or unwilling ?
ㅤㅤhe pulls away , and lovek is left in the cold again . legs and arms curl up as she turns into the bed , where his fist had nearly maimed , or killed , and wishes it was her own head .
ㅤㅤhati's words don't even matter to lovek . too drunk to think of anything other than herself .
ㅤㅤbut she caught snippets of his words , and laughter fell from her lips like music .ㅤ"ㅤi was 12 years old when my babu had her scalp peeled off her head , while i watched .ㅤ"
ㅤㅤokay , and ? hati didn't care , she knew that . she just felt like talking . he could leave if he wanted .ㅤ"ㅤthe empire hadn't even been born yet . we were pushed to the wastes , where nothing living ever flourished . but it was never enough .ㅤ"
ㅤㅤshe grew silent , but slowly slipped down from the bed and onto the floor beside it . she was too drunk to get up now .ㅤ"ㅤand fuck , was revenge so good . our dear emperor really knew how to create this evil spark in you , pulling out all the hate . we pushed them back , murdered their entire thieving families . but it was never enough .ㅤ"
ㅤㅤlovek leaned her head back , looking morose .ㅤ"ㅤthe emperor turned to expansion , using our historical trauma as venom . ' go forth , and conquer ! ' ... you were shot if you even tried to oppose it .ㅤ"
ㅤㅤshe turned her gaze to him .ㅤ"ㅤyou want retribution so bad ?ㅤbut you run away , when it can be you who enacts it .ㅤthink of them all , all your dead .ㅤare you a coward ? my throat is bared for you , you can end one of your greatest foes here and now .ㅤ"
ㅤㅤlovek paused , before a smile pulled at her lips .ㅤ"ㅤor i can go back home , where i am welcomed . i can take my seat in the senate , old blood teaching the new . do you think the hate died when the empire fell ?
ㅤㅤ"ㅤimagine a reignition , lead by an elders hands . i could do that , y'know . start it all over again .ㅤ"