ultimate shot.

Independent & Private Arash

[erekhsha]

@caemthe​ said (inbox):

[ cú ] "Don't move." Those are the only words he offers, spoken like a command, before leaning forward and reaching out. Unlike his usual rowdy and rushed way of doing things, Cú was careful and his touch light as slender fingers traced the hairline of the Archer's neck. They sunk on dark hair before pulling and then pushing lightly to make their head tilt forward. And once he had better access to their neck, he raked his nails down Arash's nape, skimming his fingers over the small hairs that didn't quite make it to their hairline. "I said don't move." He repeated once he noticed the Archer tense. He leaned even closer, enough for his breath to be ghosting over their neck. He blew cold air over their skin while gently running his fingertips over their neck before finally resting his chin on the other man's shoulder. "Did you fall asleep on a bunch of dandelions? The back of your head was full of little things. And while I could continue helping, the way you twitch makes me want to bite your neck. That's dangerous."

     A BROW ROSE AT the ‘order’ tossed his way, but he did as was asked of him and stayed still despite the many questions that had already come to mind. ❝Uh…did you need something?❞ He frowned slightly, partially taken aback when Cu reached out, fingers gliding along sensitive hairs on the back of his neck. He was sensitive to certain touch – not averse to it, but the sensation was one that was weird. Things fingers dancing about the back of his neck felt no different than if one had felt an ant crawl upon their skin and their first instinct without even thinking about it was to swat it off. He stayed still, breath catching within his throat for a moment with each dip and drag of fingertips. Arash was tempted to move away (almost did), tilt his head back and away from the other’s touch to put some semblance of space back in place, though Cu’s words that followed gave him temporary pause. What were they doing?

     What were they trying to do?

     It took every ounce of determination to stay still and not shudder when the sensation of cool air caressed the warmth of his skin; flesh already made sensitive from previous ministrations. At least Cu finally ceased what they were doing and were oh so kind enough to finally give some form of explanation for what just transpired. He gave a small sigh, turning his head just slightly so he could at least see the top of Cu’s head. ❝I did lie down on the grass, so I wouldn’t be surprised if things caught in my hair. Sometimes I like looking up at the sky, and it’s pretty clear here. Perfect for watching clouds.❞ A pause followed once more, Arash huffing gently. ❝You know, it’s bad manners to just sink teeth into someone’s neck without warning. No telling how the person might react.❞  

[erekhsha]

caemthe​.

     Different how?, he nearly blurted out, momentarily worried that they had already figured out his blessed and cursed nature. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Arash enough to tell them his origins, but he didn’t wish to seen like a bad omen in their eyes. Cú knew he would’ve to tell them eventually, but for now he just wanted them to see him as Cú Chulainn, nothing more, nothing less. 

     They were right, he wasn’t built to be an assassin. He knew that too, but… “There’s not that many things a traveler trying to keep a low profile can do, you know?” Sure, it would be easier if he took on quests and defeated monsters, but that would gain him fame, that would make him known, and that was something he couldn’t allow. “Most have a mental image of what a proper mercenary should look like… And selling my body looks like a scary thing to do.” And while hunting would’ve earned him a good profit, the young warrior couldn’t bring himself to kill a beast for something other than their meat when he needed to eat. Ah… it all sounded like excuses now. His teacher had warned him that he would eventually need to make decisions he wouldn’t like. Living without making sacrifices wasn’t possible. “I would kill you if you asked me to… I wouldn’t get in your way if you wished to sacrifice yourself for a greater reason… and I wouldn’t want nor expect any different from you.”

     He looked away for a moment, his face turning red again but for an entirely different reason. He was embarrassed. It was too embarrassing to admit some things when Arash was looking at him. “Do you remember how I kept leaching on you the weeks after we met? Well, I was supposed to bring your head to get paid. I sent a letter saying that I failed instead.” And perhaps that was the reason why they had encountered quite the number of ‘bandits’ afterwards. It was better to silence those who could become annoyances later on. Knowing too much was always an issue between assassins. Arash mentioned crossing employers but it was far more likely for an employer to try to get rid of someone who knew too much than the other way around.

     Finally, Cú let out a short sigh and looked up at the other man again. He stood on his tiptoes and let go of their hand so he could cup their face between his hands and pull him a little closer. “You ask too many questions, but you’re really bad at answering any about yourself, Arash.” He incriminated without any anger or suspicion in his tone. “What do you miss of your home? Do you feel guilty for what happened during that war? Will you be visiting your comrades’ graves or will you do your best to forget? If we part ways, will you remember me? Do you want me to be part of the future you’ve in mind? Will you kiss me already?” He had lots of questions too.

     ❝HUNTING. IT’S WHAT I do.❞ Or did. There was not much point in it when he travelled about with Cu, although it wasn’t as if Arash was lacking in funds. Being a famous ‘hero’ back in his homeland meant he lived rather easy aside from the fighting, and even then, he liked to only use said money when necessary. Other than that, he was fine living a rather humble life. Cu, however, didn’t have such things tied to his name. He was just one of those travelers you may catch a glimpse of and then forget the next…which, according to what they told him, was exactly what the other warrior was hoping for. Why, though? Why did they wish to stay under the radar? Certainly not because of an ex-employer wanting to get rid of them. Those bandits had been sufficiently weak despite their numbers…or maybe it was just because Arash and Cu were that strong that picking them off had been no different from swatting flies.

     ❝But you always did seem really odd about selling meat.❞ Arash gave a sigh, dramatic, long, but it was one of slight amusement rather than anything else. That aside... Cu’s traveling habits were not what this discussion was about. It had teetered into something much more personal. ❝Anyway, why would you tell your employer that you failed? Geez…you really are terrible at that profession.❞ Of course they were going to want to kill Cu! If they had been a part of a guild of some sort, no doubt other assassins would have gone after them to clean up. But, what was said afterwards did please him to hear. It was what he had wanted to hear. If anything else was stated, Arash would have instantly waved his hand and turned them down.

     That test was passed.

     ❝Good,❞ he said, a small nod granted. ❝Very good response.❞ Holding out his hands, he moved to push Cu back a bit, just enough to put some semblance of space between them though they still remained upon shoulders. Arash had meant to say more, but the hands upon his cheeks and the many questions that followed temporarily distracted him. W-Why so many? And why ask him this all at one time? Why now? The last ones he could understand, but the others? ❝H-Hey slow down. It’s not as if we don’t have plenty of time to talk to one another since we often have the same destinations.❞ A pause. ❝I miss the saffron fields that would bloom around the village I was from. We often used the stems for dye and would sell it along with furs and meat we would get from beasts, so that scent was one I grew up with and came to love the most.❞ He missed his mother too, but that was not mentioned. He’d keep that to himself. ❝I’m not a good guy, Cu. I killed because I had no choice and have to pick between protecting myself, my comrades, and my people, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it.❞

     Guilt… Yeah, he felt that sometimes too. He didn’t regret any of it. Even still, he tore others from their families. That was not something he should ever completely forget each time he loosed an arrow on an enemy. ❝Will I visit my comrade’s graves? Naturally. I will even visit their families if I can. If we come to part ways, I’ll remember you. Kinda hard to forget a feisty little guy like you.❞ He laughed gently, softly and near breathless. ❝Anyways, enough about that.❞ He lifted his hand, placing it upon the other’s mouth. ❝You want me to kiss you? Earn it then. Court me properly and you’ll get your answer. Think you can be patient enough for that, Cu? If not, then this is as far as we go with this conversation.❞ This would be his final test for the little wolf.  

[erekhsha]

caemthe​.

     Ugh, even if it had been months since their… particular introduction, Arash still wouldn’t let go of his ‘assassination attempt’ (though, then again, Cú would also say it all was part of his plan to eliminate the other whenever it was convenient for him). Still, wasn’t that assassination method Arash just mentioned a little too much? The mercenary’s face was heating up, warm, so warm, but not enough to burn someone upon contact. Cú was against using underhanded tactics and seducing someone to kill them in an intimate moment was so bad that he didn’t know if he could call it an underhanded tactic. He didn’t like it. As funny as it was coming from a guy that didn’t fear death, he found the concept of baring himself in front of someone he didn’t love quite scary.

     Crimson eyes closed and his shoulders tensed slightly, but he still tilted his head and leaned closer to the other’s touch. Arash’s hand felt cold on his face but the contrast was nice. Gently, he held the man’s hand on his and moved it lower to his chest. He took one small step closer. His heart was beating loud and fast. It seemed like it could burst out of his ribcage at any moment. Another small step and he was almost pressing his body against the other man’s. If he stood on his tiptoes, then he would be able to nip their neck a bit. “My only intent is to make you mine. You can feel how fast my heart is beating, right? It won’t let me lie. But what else can I do to show you I really love you? If you really think I’ll kill you in bed, then you can tie me up, so won’t you love me a little, Arash?”

     CU’S MANY ‘ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS’ would never be forgotten, primarily because they were all really terrible and they never really went all out in an attempt. Making food for someone so you could murder them later was pretty odd among other things if that was what they were going to do before murdering someone. However, Arash could give him props for originality. That aside, though, as entertaining as those thoughts were, he was much more focused now on Cu’s reactions as well as the words that soon came to follow. This was…new. Different. Not so much the proclamation – he had heard this before from others – but the fact that it was coming from Cu was what took him aback. His first thought was this was some means of deception to make him lower his guard more than he already had, to suddenly find a moment’s weakness and turn it against him, and yet, he had been with the other long enough to know this was not a tactic they would ever utilize.

     Those eyes were far too honest, far too open, to be clouded by deception. He could feel that in the deepest part of his soul, and Arash’s intuition had never proven him wrong…not yet, at least. ❝You know,❞ he began, head tilting just a bit as he examined the other pensively, ❝I’ve had others say things like that to me before back home. Fellow soldiers, nobles, people I might have helped, those who saw me as some shining hero despite being a murderer myself...but there’s something about the way your eyes look that’s different.❞ They were so clear and bright like gems. In truth, this was what he noticed about them the first time they met. It was also why he was not worried about Cu potentially stabbing him in the back when he wasn’t looking. They were too honorable a warrior to ever do so. If they were to kill him, it would be with spear in hand while he held his bow in his own. If Arash could not be killed by old age, then this would be the way he wished to go.

     His hand twitched in the other’s grasp, a reflexive action if nothing else, before his hand relaxed in their grasp soon to be pressed against where a beating heart lie. He was quiet once more, expression still thoughtful. ❝I don’t think this is how assassins should do things, Cu. Tell me, then, if the time came, would you kill me if you had to? You’re under contract, aren’t you? Crossing employers isn’t the wisest thing to do. I want a yes or no answer. Nothing else will do but that. Depending on what you say will depend on what answer I give you.❞

[kmmba-a]

@erekhsha​ asked : He stared at the other Alter for a good long while, seemingly lost in thought before reaching out and placing gloved hand upon their head. A few pats were given to smooth out locks of hair that had been blown out of place by the wind.

      no matter his prided omnipresence ,  no matter his supposed omnipotence ,  ozymandias could not scry into another’s conscience .  simple as it was to dismiss what was unavailable to him as superfluous ;  the frantic ,  petty thoughts of most mortal men were unbearably tepid to a stony divine ,  and so without any immediate remark or reaction of his own ,  he merely allows his gaze to settle its stare in return upon the archer ,  heavy yet blase ,  his lids seemingly weighted by an amount of lethargy that could be mistaken for something serene .  not a word passes from between either of their lips ,  even as the archer reaches out ,  though the gape of the pharaoh’s unyielding watch only grows sharper ,  irises acute upon the center of the other’s drifting palm .  perhaps ,  in all his deeper feline tendency ,  it would have not been such a surprise were a cold hand to suddenly snatch the archer by their wrist ,  and wonder then what they were doing ,  as if finally approaching offense ,  awakened by mere instinct .  instead ,  he is simply pat and pet .  oblivious to the state of his hair ,  ( and both its disorder and remedy , )  he blinks once ,  then twice —  brief ,  flashing miracles until the heightened watchfulness of the king dissipates into a murky stillness once more .  rather than a huff ,  a slow ,  deep exhale leaves him .  he eases in the stiff cross of his arms ,  and lacking in any explanation from the archer ,  he can only arrive at his own stubborn ,  far too self-assured assumptions .      ‘      …  how bold you are ,  hero .      ‘

[erekhsha]

@swordrisen​ said (inbox):

She's been staring at him for ten minutes before she finally reaches over & holds his cheeks like one might hold a puppy's cheeks. ❛❛ Arash - kun's precious ! ❜❜

     ARASH BENT DOWN SLIGHTLY just so Koto didn’t have to stand on her tippy toes, but it was clear that he was amused by the touch to his cheeks and the words that followed. “I’m the precious one? I think you might mean yourself, Miss Koto.” He laughed, lifting up his own hand to gently pinch her cheeks. Not enough to be uncomfortable, just enough to tease as he gently tugged. ❝I don’t think anyone is more precious than you, especially when you smile.❞

[erekhsha]

@caemthe​ said (inbox):

[ cú, fantasy ] Despite how painfully obvious and honest Cú could be, he had never consciously made an effort or first move to try to 'seduce' his companion and best friend. It wasn't easy when he tried to put too much thought on it. Often the words wouldn't come out, his face would turn red or maybe the time or location weren't right. And yet, it seemed that he was the only one unable to be smooth in his approach. But that was going to change soon!

Or so that was going to be the plan. He would pin the ex-soldier to the wall and say what he had been meaning to say for a while now. But the moment he proceeded with his plan, Cú remembered that he didn't have the height on his side. He couldn't quite place his hands on each side of Arash's head without stretching awkwardly. Still, placing his hands on both sides of their waist worked just fine too. "Arash..." He began, serious, frowning a bit, as red as humanly possible. "It's not fair that I'm only whose heart can't calm down when you're with me." He was going to die like this. "So be prepared. I've got all the intention of making you mine."

     ARASH HAD CAUGHT CU staring at him multiple times, and within those multiple times, they would always turn the brightest red. Honestly, he felt if he reached out to touch their cheek, it would scorch his hand considering how hot the general vicinity around them could become in closed spaces (open spaces were really not any better). Still, he decided to ignore it all, waiting for whenever Cu would talk to him about the things bouncing around in his head of his own volition, even if Arash had a basic gist as to what it was that plagued them. Being as popular as he was back in his homeland, you began to notice certain things when interacting with people regardless of their station in life. Arrow in hand, he twirled it between his fingers idly, a habit that he had never grown out of even as a young hunter back in his village, mind a thousand miles away when Cu had approached him out of nowhere.

     Blinking, he glanced down, taken aback as they attempted to…ah…what were they attempting to do? He couldn’t really say. Pin him in place…? Kinda hard to do when their face was right there almost against his stomach. ❝…Uh…what are you going on about?❞ What was happening? He frowned awkwardly, his free hand lifting to rub the back of his head. Where was all this even coming from? There had been literally no warning, no opening, aside from what he was just given here and now. The last part was very much understood, his brows rising with surprise and mouth partially agape. ❝Aren’t you supposed to be killing me? I mean, a proper assassin would win someone over, take them to bed, and then stab them in the heat of passion or when they were asleep after saying something like that.❞ Not that he knew the latter personally, but he knew about that particular tactic from the whispers of commoners as well as soldiers. ❝Is that your intent?❞ he asked, reaching out then to brush his finger along Cu’s ear just to tease.

     Cu could be so funny.

[erekhsha]

starplinko​.

★ —  ❛ You know where they have BURGERS !? ❜ His eyes were already sparkling with excitment. However, he was quick to furrow his brows. ❛ When… You were around ?? Oh, oh !! Are you also not from earth ?? Or are burgers just something SUPER RARE that I have to break into a place to get ?? And that’s why they’re not around… ❜

     ❝OF COURSE! THERE’S A couple of good places nearby. My uh....friend...took me to them a few times since they like burgers too. Actually, there’s a lot of great stuff I’ve been able to eat since being here.❞ Pizza, ice cream, banana shakes, macaroons -- the list was endless at this point. He paused at the talk of ‘not being from earth’ being the first...thought...that crossed the other’s head. How’d they jump to that conclusion in five seconds? And what did they mean by, ‘are you ALSO not from earth?’ Questionable. ❝Ahahaha! You’re a pretty strange guy! I’m just from another country is all.❞ Well, time period too, but---! ❝Burgers aren’t rare at all. You just gotta know where to find them.❞

[erekhsha]

starplinko​.

★ —  ❛ I don’t know what a burger is… But I do believe I deserve one. ❜

    ❝THEY’RE THE BEST! I mean, I wish I had stuff like this when I was around. Though I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t since it’s probably all I’d want to eat.❞ There were so many good things in this city---

[call-me-noa]

Arash and his Master Elza Saijo from the 1991 Tokyo Grail War (Fate/Prototype Fragments)

Half-Japanese, half-German camerawoman who has traveled to wartorn countries for her job and as a result come to dislike violence after what she’s seen. She lost her child less than a year ago.

[erekhsha]

@kmmba​ said (inbox):

he drifts closer, his gait heavy as a lion's, with all its dire, dreadful silence, his eyes aglow not with desire but a deep interest. stony hands lift to touch the other's chin, marble temperatures warmed by the illusion of this archer's flesh and blood and soul, and he stares: he studies them, allowing them too to gaze into the merciless sun. ' are you satisfied with this? ' his breath blows by in a mere grim whisper. soon his touch returns to the elbow's crook of its opposite limb, ozymandias's arms ultimately crossing: a subtle sign of dissatisfaction. ' ... you would do better by my side. ' surely the other would understand. their supposed 'master' was so much lesser, and how the alter could award the archer great honors; how he could lavish them as deserved, due reward for a fine soldier who took to him instead of the rest, a most precious proxy, if not a mere tool. ozymandias, in fact, cannot imagine any other allegiance, and with his voice lowering, the excruciating swelter within him growing even stronger, his speech transforms into the disturbed beginnings of a selfish growl, nothing but death and venom withheld, crouching in between every other syllable: ' there are no blessings better than mine. '

     THE ALTER HEARD THE Pharaoh’s approach long before he caught his gaze. His ears were sharp, and during the duration he had been within this building, he had come to know the strides of many. It was near impossible to take him by surprise as a result, and so when he heard the hallways echo, he would pause – listen. Eyes soon pulled from the endless blanket of white outside of Chaldea’s large, open windows, the sunlight that had been filtering in, unable to pierce through the thick glass that kept the cold from licking one’s flesh and leaving them wanting for warmth. His expression remained impassive, yet if one paid attention, perhaps they could have seen the faint, curious glint within pale gold. Hands reached out, fingers molding onto the outline of his chin as he meet the other Alter’s gaze unflinchingly. There is silence that drifts between them, yet it only lingers but a moment before it is broken by deep, frigid tone.

     ‘Are you satisfied with this?’

     Satisfied… What did he care? He lent his bow to whoever wished to utilize him. His current Master lacked the drive to fully wield him in the same capacity as the little woman with bright blue eyes (had she truly wielded him when she simply allowed weapon to run wild?); however, as long as he could loose his arrows and be granted some form of purpose, he was close enough to that point one might call ‘content’ if such were possible for an Alter. ❝You sound jealous.❞ Had this Arash been the man he used to be when heart was still intact and desire to protect overrode all else, perhaps those words would have been spoken in tease, brown eyes agleam with mirth and amusement. Instead, the one before the Pharaoh of the Black Sun held no such sentiments. He merely stated his own observation based on their tone and actions. ❝I would do better with you. This is true.❞ There was admittance there – quick and decisive without skipping a beat, an innate understanding from old memories faded by time that the frigid version of that bright pharaoh would command him far better.

     His head gave a slight tilt, curiosity growing even as subdued as it was within that barely beating heart. This was rare to witness. New, even, to him. In the past, what he could recall, that frustration and annoyance had only been aimed towards those who would bark in the King’s direction as if they dared stand a chance against his overwhelming might. The Golden King had barked the loudest, and it was then that he could remember the way pale gold flared, how heat normally not present, brushed along skin with growing ferocity to match that sweltering rage. This…intrigued him. ❝A god, a general, a captain, a hero, a monster, a fool – it doesn’t matter to me who has need of my abilities.❞ There was a pause, his own gloved hand lifting, albeit to brush fingers against dangling earring. ❝I don’t care either way. All I need to know is who to kill and what to destroy. That’s all I ever need.❞

[erekhsha]

@mahoushojore​ said (inbox):

' do you want to borrow one? ' they happily offer up one of their knit-wool sweaters, its scent still faintly sweet and fresh laundered. ' it can get a little cold at night. our sizes are scarily similar, so it should fit ... ! ' something about the fact is charming, (really, if not their bulks then at least their heights were an exact match!) but saki's contented bliss retreats into a hesitant bashfulness by the end. ' i mean --- sorry about the color. most of what i have is warm ... ' and by that, they mean soft pink if not bright red (just like the cherry flush spreading along their cheeks,) contrary to whatever cooler tones that might have better suited arash. saki still tries to reassert themselves by the end of everything. ' i can at least swear it's warm-warm, too! you should take it, at least use it as a blanket. just don't catch a cold while you look at the stars outside, okay? ' it was too beautiful a night to get sick from!

     ARASH BLINKED, TAKEN ABACK by the offered gift and touched by it. People had given him many things in life, of course, but there was something wholly different about this. Perhaps because he hadn't expected to be gifted anything by someone from this era. He was, after all, just a seemingly normal young man: some foreigner who spoke perfect Japanese and could easily put others at ease and tug them into conversation if he so wished. Whether Saki could sense he was something other than this or not was of little consequence. He gently accepted that sweater, holding it out and examining it thoughtfully. ❝I like it.❞ The color didn't really bother him. The soft pink was actually rather soothing to look at. Now as to whether it would match him, well...he couldn't say for sure, but that wasn't really what mattered in the long run. Being nice and warm at night was far more important.

     ❝Ahaha, I usually wear my hoodie, though it'll be nice to have a change here and there.❞ He grinned brightly at Saki, reaching out to ruffle their hair affectionately. ❝I'll think of you when I wear it and remember that someone out there is thinking about me and my well-being. Promise not to stay out and catch a cold too. Wouldn’t want to worry you.❞ Not that he could -- not that Saki was aware of this. The cold didn't quite affect him as it would a living, breathing person, a product of his true nature as a being comprised of siphoned mana. Even with that in mind, he would treasure what he was given up until he eventually faded and left it behind.

[erekhsha]

caemthe​.

     Cú Chulainn was used to things happening fast and naturally. Wether it was for the better or worse, wether he never understood the reason why or turned wiser thanks to it, it didn’t matter. All of it was all bright, fast and dazzling, all was burning with feelings that were too much for a human heart. Like being drunk on the back of a car, lightheaded and feeling hypnotized by the endless blurry lights. If he were to fall asleep right then would he wake up in a soft bed or never open his eyes again after the eventual crash? Was there anywhere to go if there was no destination that came to mind? He could never tell, he just loved the ride. 

     I don’t know what that something is. What to define it. How I should define it. “You don’t, you just feel it.” He said absentmindedly, more to himself than answer to his friend. Cú didn’t consider himself capable of defining love but he knew what it felt like. He burnt with it and was consumed by its tender embrace. To him, it made no sense how fearless passion and gentle intimacy could coexist between two souls so how could he ever put his feelings to words?

     He tilted his head, turning to look at the other’s face, wait for them to eventually meet his gaze. It wasn’t easy, seeing them struggle for something they never considered before. Really, it wasn’t right of him to just barge in and make a mess of their carefully organized thoughts and life. “Arash, I’m deserving of someone who is certain of their feelings for me, who will love me just as much as I love them. I don’t want to beg anyone for their love.” Those were harsh words, almost laughable when they came from him, who would grow up to be content with less than scraps, wanting to fill a void instead of feeling again. But he wasn’t going to grow up, he wasn’t going to follow after his older self’s steps, he just wasn’t the same. He still hoped.

     “And it’s not fair for you to be pushed from what you know and have grown comfortable with. There’s no reason why you should deal with something you never asked for. It wasn’t your intention nor is it your responsibility. You don’t own me an explanation, Arash… I don’t want you to do anything if it isn’t for you.” His throat felt tight and he hated it. There was no point to his speech if he bawled in front of them again. But, luckily, Arash would always be Arash, and that awkward but serious silliness of them would always steal a laugh from him. Him? Hating Arash? Arash??

     “I love you, dumbass, how could I ever end up hating you?” It was an amusing and a little saddening thought, that they could consider that possibility. His smile didn’t disappear even after his laughter died down. “But it was nice getting to know you, the real you, and getting to fall in love with you. I don’t regret it at all.” The only thing he regretted was being too young to know a better way to handle things and avoid all the unnecessary fights and arguments the two of them had. “Please look out for yourself more, not just for others.” And with that he stood up to leave.

     SOMETIMES CU COULD SAY things that were like a dagger in another’s heart without meaning to. That was probably what made things worse in the long run. Why had Arash said anything at all? What was the point when it did nothing to change the situation? As he continued to listen to the other, it was then and then that he realized something: he was not meant for this. How he had desired to know what it was like to feel the things that another felt when one made their heart race, to know what it was like to be human once more – to recall it in vivid detail when he had been treated as something incredible up until his very death. He was the shooting star that all in his land would look upon fondly and with renewed spirit, for Arash Kamangir had given his all for the sake of the people. His future, his life – he would gladly give it all again without hesitation if that moment arose.

     As a result, there was a certain path he was supposed to tread and this was not it. Upon understanding that, the pain lessened, it numbed. No longer did what was said touch him and make him bleed now with that newfound conviction in place. Nothing was said on his end, and his eyes did not move to meet Cu’s. He was too into his head, into this silent comprehension and grudging acceptance. The Lancer soon made to take their leave, Arash’s gaze sliding over to their retreating back with an expression unreadable. He was not like the other, could not just combust like hay upon overflowing with intense feelings. Ferdiad and Emer had both been passionate individuals who acted on their passions without hesitation, able to match the ferocity that was Cu Chulainn with his steadfast determination towards his wants. For whenever he wanted something, he reached for it uncaring of the consequences that would follow…and oh how those consequences always did.

     Stupid mistakes.

     Idiotic choices.

     Yet they had been his choices. Even now, no doubt they would never regret them. Looking away, he sighed, suddenly not wanting anything to do with this food or this game sitting upon the table waiting for him. Arash would eat it, though. He was not wasteful and the Lancer had made it as a means of apology. That was the least he could do. ❝Our paths are really just too different.❞ Those words almost sounded like a goodbye, though not really. It was just that he closed the door on this chapter in his life and would not open it again, refused to do so. Arash Kamangir would remain Arash Kamangir, the Lone Meteor.

[erekhsha]

@caemthe​​​ said (inbox):

[ cú ] He's been there for a long while actually. Sitting on the Archer's bed, he was waiting for them to return, concealing his presence so he wouldn't be noticed until the door opened. He greeted his friend with a smile. Booze and food he made was waiting for them on the table, alongside a game he had 'borrowed' from the Master for the night . It was fun figuring out what the hell they were supposed to do with Arash, then beating Arash's ass in said game... Having his own ass handed to him in the one that had fighting wasn't so fun tho... but it still was a good night. Hours passed and all quieted down. It would be a good moment to leave now but instead he stayed and said, "You know, I really fucked things up." 

He stated all of a sudden. Surprisingly, he didn't look sad. "It seems like everything I do just pushes you further away from me... and I'm annoying you... I don't like that." The Lancer sighed, exhausted, but he still reached out to move the other's bangs aside. "But I've run out of ideas to make it like before and I can't make you to feel things you don't. I know I've been selfish all this time... I'm sorry." His eyes locked on Arash's for a second and then he was glancing away. He wasn't sad, just... he didn't know. "I'm sorry."

     IMAGINE ARASH’S SURPRISE WHEN he returned to his room to see that it was already occupied. After goading Ozymandias to leave his simulation and spend time with him outside of it (really it hadn’t taken much), Arash’s plans were to go and lie upon his head, bury his face into his pillows and pass out for the rest of the evening. What he hadn’t expected, however, was to see Cu sitting upon it waiting for him. ❝What are you doing here?❞ He blinked, eyes shifting from them to the food and drink laid out upon the nearby table. A game too. He frowned, albeit with confusion. What was this all about? He couldn’t recall doing something to earn drink and a meal. Before he could so much as ask what was on his mind, though, Cu broke that silence.

     ‘You know, I really fucked things up.’

     ❝W-What?❞ To think that one statement could have his thoughts come to a standstill – anything else that he had planned on saying just temporarily floating out his ears. Saying nothing, he merely listened, attempting to figure out exactly what it was that brought them here at this very moment. Was it because of what happened earlier? Arash wasn’t angry about that. He had just been annoyed. As happy as he was that Cu was enthused about Percival, he just was tired of hearing about him day in and day out. There was hardly a point in Arash even being around when all Cu would do is talk his ears off about something Percival did or randomly rush off to ask him to spar. If anything, he would have preferred if Cu just told him he had other plans that day and left Arash to his own devices. He lifted his hand, rubbing the back of his head as brown eyes shifted to the side awkwardly.

     ❝You’re not pushing me away.❞ They had their moments of bickering, perhaps a little more than Arash would deem comfortable considering where they had been before, but… ❝You say you’re selfish, though I am too.❞ They were both two idiots trying to maneuver around with all that hung between them with the passing of days. ❝I’m not good at…uh…❞ He paused, gesturing his hands before placing one upon his chest. Talking about feelings was weird for him when he never did it. Just had others do so. ❝Something’s there. I won’t lie and say it isn’t. I just…I don’t know what that something is. What to define it. How I should define it.❞ Because he never had a chance to understand his emotions in the same way that Cu had. Both of their lives were so dreadfully short, but in that short span of time, Cu had really lived, hadn’t he? He lived and died with a bang that rang throughout the ages to the point his country still sang his praises, still recalled Cu Chulainn. Even with all his countless mistakes he had made up until his last moments.

     Arash, over time in his life, had developed tunnel vision. He lost care towards finding love, about having a family, of returning to his little village a triumphant hero, of having his name sang throughout the ages... There had only been one thing on his mind. Thus, the him that appeared before Cu now was not the him that existed in the past ready to forsake everything for a singular goal. For this Arash was able to live too, and in the process, was at a loss as to many things he had never paid attention to in life. A hypocrite who gave advice to others so they moved forward, yet didn’t follow his own as he laughed and teased – hid aspects of himself without any being wiser to it because he was always so open on the surface with his bright smiles and protective instincts towards allies. Cu had somehow exposed that and he didn’t like it. For once in his life, he knew what others felt like when they were beneath his gaze. ❝You’re not even here to hear all this, but here I am…rambling.❞

     Him? Rambling?

     It was embarrassing, really. He never rambled. Arash was the most straightforward person there was. The only time he was ever vague was when it came to his clairvoyance because that ability in general could be vague. ❝Anyway, don’t apologize. No more ‘I’m sorry’s’. Even if you wound up somehow hating me one day, I’d always care about you. That much will always remain true.❞ Even though Cu made him mad sometimes when they misunderstood him and he made them mad for the same reasons, his feelings would remain the same. At least this was something he could understand out of everything.

[erekhsha]

@caemthe​ said (inbox):

[ cú ] "Sir Percival is... really amazing, isn't he?" Cú was once again caught admiring the new knight. They had snatched his attention without even trying ever since they had been summoned. The celtic lancer's eyes sparkled whenever the knight appeared or looked his way, dropping everything he was doing at the time to talk to the other or to spar with them. That was exactly how he used to be with Arash but nowadays he spent more time telling the Archer how cool and handsome Sir Percival was than telling Arash how much he liked and admired him. "He's really strong and his smile is really warm and welcoming... Do you think he'll like it if I prepare-!!" He paused all of a sudden, face turning red as he noted that the person he was just talking about smiled at him from across the room.

     CU SURE WAS REALLY excited, wasn’t he? His behavior as of late was similar to a dog whose tail would wag a mile a minute each time that Percival so much as appeared in his peripheral vision, which in itself was not a big deal. However, Cu had a tendency to obsessively talk about things that interested him over and over again to the point that you would want to groan and drag a hand down the side of your face. Even the patient Arash had a limit in regards to how much he could listen to someone gushing about someone of something for what felt like hours on end. ❝Yes, yes, you said that many, many times now, Cu.❞ He could have sworn that this single fact slipped the other’s mind the moment he so much as opened his mouth. Arash liked Percival as well – hard not to when he and the Knight shared a lot of common beliefs, but this was an entirely new level of ‘like.’

     Eyes near rolled when Cu’s cheeks took on a bright red the moment Percival glanced his way, Arash clicking his tongue. If they were going to be like this the whole time, then he had other things to do beside listening to this constant gushing. Doubtful most people would have stayed around as long as he had without saying something, so there was that, at least. As much as he cared about the other, their one-tracked mind could be really exhausting to deal with. ❝Anyway, I’m going to go talk to the Sun King. Nitocris wants me to help her get him ‘invigorated’ so I’m going to go see if mentioning a competition in the simulation will have him getting off his throne and stretching those legs. Catch you later.❞ Turning away, he threw up a hand and waved it before taking his leave.

[erekhsha]

@mahoushojore​ said (inbox):

' うわ , your eyes ... ! ' the remark slips out from her as she shirks back away from him, shy. ' they're really intense . but - ' he had a nice smile, didn't he? strong and steady and confident. the warmth of his person unfurls her a little. it's hard not to want to trust him. ' um ... er , just out of curiosity - how would you describe yourself ? as what kind of person ? '

     ARASH BLINKED, TAKEN ABACK by Saki's quick statement. Were his eyes intense? He wouldn't really know, he supposed. It was not as if the Archer paid attention to such things. He was more interested in other people than himself, so this minor detail had slipped from his attention. ❝Is that so?❞ he asked, a hand lifting to rub the back of his head and a slight smile followed. ❝Guess now that you mention it, people used to say that I become really focused when something's on my mind.❞ Or when he was in the heat of battle. With Saki, however, he had been watching her if only because she was so drastically different from the other people that he had encountered in this era for a variety of reasons. Her 'secret' being one of them.

     Arms came to cross over his chest, his gaze trained upwards towards the sky as he pondered how best to answer her question. ❝Huh...can't say anyone's ever asked me that before. People tended to just make assumptions about me.❞ All positive, of course. He was lauded as a hero, after all. However, to Arash, there was nothing remotely special about him aside from his talent with the bow. All his accomplishments had been done simply due to him wanted an end to conflict. ❝Ahahaha! You can't just put a guy on the spot like that, you know!❞ He grinned and turned his gaze back to Saki, eyes bright. ❝I guess if I could describe myself, it'd be that I'm a hardworking and like people. Not very exciting, I know.❞

[erekhsha]

@solaoccasum​ said (inbox):

itachi is just gonna reach out and hold arash's hand. a very nice hand. uwu

     AH...IT HAD BEEN a long time since anyone had done this to him -- these hands so covered in blood. At one time, they had been pristine just like any other's, but war changed many things. There was no regret from him in regards to the path he chose, yet when he felt Itachi's hand in his own, he was reminded of how the most basic of human comforts had been beyond him at one time. Arash smiled, his grip tightening upon theirs. He didn't question why Itachi had reached out to him. Didn't see a need to. All he knew was that this was nice and he enjoyed the warmth shared between their palms on this beautiful summer day.

[erekhsha]

@loreconcepts​ said (inbox):

" i hope we can be friends ! " - giotto

     ❝TO BE HONEST, WASN’T expecting a Master like you when I was summoned.❞ Friends, huh? Well, maybe he had met someone like this in the past long ago in a different war. Someone who too wanted to work with him rather than use him to do their biding. Ah...alas, he could not recall their face or even if he had been previously summoned at all. It was a nice thought to have, however. ❝I like people who are upfront about their intentions.❞ He smiled, reaching out to take the other's hand. ❝Arash Kamangir at your service. I can only use my ultimate attack one time, so make sure you make it count, Master.❞