@loveveils - Tumblr Blog

he stays silent, listening to her speak. protecting himself … does he even have the right to do such a thing ? she may be correct, but he feels so uncertain. isn’t he lying ? his existence … is it not one big lie ? the friends he has made, the people that have come and gone from his life. have they ever really known him ? who is the person they had met ? what sort of impression did they leave with. what sort of impression do they have now ? it’s all so confusing and difficult to think about. he hasn’t been lying to everyone he’s ever met … has he ? he has always been quite private about his life but some of the reactions those around him have given to such a topic has him wondering if they would despise him for the secrets he keeps to himself.

❛❛ i guess i … am just a bit selfish. i never really had friends before. i still … don’t really have that many friends. people don’t see me as someone they want to hang out with. i— i guess i just don’t want to lose the few i do have. ❜❜ cheek finds the palm of his hand as he leans forward, staring out through the railings and back at the water below. ❛❛ it’s unbelievable, isn’t it ? stuff like angels or demons … but for those that do believe in them they’re so firm. they only see the good and the bad. there is no grey area with supernatural things like that. ❜❜

her question causes him to pause. does he really hate himself because of what he is ? hate is a strong way to describe it. he definitely hates himself for other reasons but the emphasis she places on that one word … does he really hate that side of him ? or is it simply an inconvenience that causes him unhappiness and confusion. memories flash in his vision, as if someone is turning a light on and off in his mind. the other kids. his mom. his mom ? his head is starting to hurt. a change of tone. ❛❛ who ... are you asking ? you’re going to get different answers and both of them will be the truth. ❜❜

his response is a slow one, though she could hardly blame him for it. it must be unexpected to have someone pry into you so intensely. she had never been one for falsehoods nor sugar coating, she preferred being direct . . that was the only way to find answers in most cases. it is the aspect of surprise, the reasoning behind doing so, because being blunt and speaking so outright often made people freeze or hesitate. this was a giveaway, it allowed her the sight of truth without even needing her companion to confirm any of her suspicions. his existence held great depth, combined with what he was . . it must be a rather complex way of living. perhaps there is a sliver of sympathy in her heart for him but it doesn't show. eyelids droop as she observes him, blinking only for the sake of not staring rather than needing to.

"it is not so unbelievable to a being such as i." because she existed and she knew they did too. it was her reality, not so much fairytale fuel for the imagination like many others. she decides against commenting on his friends and his belief toward his own selfishness. she did not see him in such a light but rather just normal. when someone did not grow up with many close relationships, it becomes natural if not instinct, to hold onto every single one they did possess quite tightly. few as it may be. it is not so different among the gods, not everyone was . . friends.

"both of you but you may start." she does not label them as one in the same because she knows they are not. he is not one but two individuals co-existing and sharing the same body. her form turns, allowing herself to face him more properly as their conversation begins to sink further into the deep end of feeling. this was an intimate discussion, questioning such a thing . . it was only respectful, polite even, if she gives him her full attention. he was deserving of it in this moment, she could not deny him of that. "you consider yourself to be selfish . . but are you not just scared?" a breath passes, hands raised in vague gesture between herself and him. "you do not wish to lose the few people close to you, compared to a childhood of not having friends at all. it is vital that you maintain these bonds but it is not a selfish desire by any means. it is important to you and you fear losing them because you no longer wish to be alone."

#✧˖°. aesthetics | time compared to the wild fantastic silence of the stars.

hckat

Details of hands in Classical Paintings

❛❛ really ? ❜❜ he finds it hard to imagine someone disliking her ▬▬▬ then again … she is right. there will always be those who fear him, hate him, whatever it may be. those unwilling to understand. he knows he can never change their hearts but it does not bring him much comfort. ❛❛ it’s … so unfair. ❜❜ he mutters after a few moments have passed, wandering away from the bars to sit beside her. he’s aware it’s a childish saying but it really is so unfair ! he’s stuck like this. forever. he never got a choice …

… who is he ? the he who lost everything or the he who was created to prevent a total annihilation of the soul ? does it even matter who he is anymore ? a never – ending war being waged in his mind. who controls him … who controls him ? even now, who is he ? ❛❛ it’s hard to keep secrets. about myself i mean … i feel like sometimes i’m being fake ? i don’t know. ❜❜ his eyes close, head tilting to the side. nothing is making sense. he probably sounds like he’s just saying words at this point for the sake of keeping conversation. ❛❛ why do they shun you ? is it because you can’t force things like love ? ❜❜ he wonders … has never asked how her creation of bonds comes about. if he were ever to get to a point of being that miserable … would he shun the idea of love too ?

life was unfair, though she knows that she mustn't remind him of such. his feelings were loud; those emotions coursing through him like a riptide. she has tasted them before, many choking on their own tears for a millennium. he is no different. "you are protecting yourself, i hardly consider that being . . fake, as you say." everyone had their secrets as they were so entitled, there was hardly anything to worry so much over. just because he did not allow certain aspects of himself to be known or spoke of did not mean he was terrible. even she had her own secrets, many a god did.

"it is a long tale, i shan't take up your time with my woes." much of it happened after the war anyhow, a divide in those who worshipped and adored her . . then there were those who did not. all were free to make their own decisions, it would never be forced. love could not be forced, no matter how much she willed it. "mortals will always be fickle, you need not worry. you are perfectly capable of finding joy and love in this life." her eyes find him, watching as he moves to settle into the space next to her. her hands gather in her lap, turned idle with clasped fingers.

recollections burn behind her gaze, lost in thought; loving a mortal was no different than a death sentence. something she had not been so immune to once upon a time, though such was long gone now. her children reminded her, still. "do you hate yourself?" her question comes suddenly, blinking milky eyes as she observes him closely. inspecting body language and expression alike, a necessity for any hint toward falsehood. she detested liars. "because of what you are, i mean."

To challenge a God like this was a stupid man's wish of death. Wingates has fought thousands of creatures in his lifetime, but a God was still one of the list he had yet to claim with his hands drenched in their ichor. Instead, they stayed away from each other - after all, Human's with the ability to take the lives of those once thought as impossible to find, maim and even kill - God's usually kept to themselves. A wary bubble. Away from the danger of that one possibility of being found weak, of their demise becoming reality at the hands of one mortal ant. Though - didn't mean it was the same with all of them. As Wingates was witnessing here, her click of the fingers triggered the world back into activity.

Sounds flooded the space that was once as silent as a grave, now life thrives. Wings danced in the corners of one's sights, the bushes rustled with dance and even the lakeside miles out felt like it could be heard from where he stood with his axe. His glower on its edge of softening but she was pushing it back at him. A Goddess with a backbone and not just one with violence in her blood. Words were sharp, barbed and with some knowledge but she was ill-informed.

His nostrils flared with a huffed laugh, a scoff though in her jestful words. A threat was so empty, so backwards. Wards were once the epicenter of protection from the outside. . . "They are to keep me inside, Monster." He over spoke her last words. Fae were not to be feared, after all, he slayed them in their thousands. Burned their wings, slaughtered their Kings and Queens, hunted their magic rings and tore the throats of lullabies with such ease he was now their nightmare in the trees. "These wards, keep me in my world. A private, peaceful space for one man to live until he dies." He wasn't arrogant to push that aside, he was not immortal, nor would he ever be. No matter how many species threaten to give him a bite, elixir or promise of such for their lives.

"You speak as if Fae are the powerful ones here… Child, you do not know their fear stinks throughout these trees. I've uprooted their Kingdom several times in my youth. They know to stay away, well away, from me if they know best." His hands adjust over the hilt, carved with runes of magic and sigils of old languages of the Roundtable if her knowledge of foreign lines was possible to detect. "If it was to be destroyed, my fences and wards… You'll be putting yourself in danger because at that moment, Goddess. You'll be claiming war against me." Authority in his tones, he held his life in the palm of his own hand - but also in his strengths. His knowledge and experiences. He lived a life worth the movies and books out there in the world.

"Do it, if you wish it… But know that I will slay you with this very axe like the monster your kind truly are."

#nvrcmplt #✧˖°. ic | a cathedral of almost lovers.

he had guts if nothing else, to claim he would kill a goddess as a mere mortal . . it was admirable at best. alas, she did not seek violence. she was only toying with him. his peaceful existence here in these woods would last until the years weighed heavily and the circle of life completed itself. her eyes narrow slightly, foggy like a mist blanketing water in the wee hours of sunrise. bringing harm to him would do her no good, but even in the face of a being such as herself, he held no fear . . nothing she could taste past such magical barricades, anyhow.

"you mortals are quite entertaining." his attitude and willingness to look death in the face. to go as far as threatening it, too. these barriers meant nothing to her; he . . meant nothing to her. the forest was too rich, too vibrant. staining it with his blood would be useless, whilst her own ichor would simply feed it. mother nature and aphrodite stood hand in hand, always. "tell me something . . what do you fear?" it was a simple question but one she doesn't expect an answer to, in truth. not when she has threatened him, too. she didn't take kindly to his words prior; child. she wasn't a child, she was older than him but arguments were never her favorite.

fingers twitch as the forest comes to life, listening closely to the sound of songbirds off in the distance. a deer scampering away; magic pops from the warded fence 'tween them. a cause and effect from her presence; she wasn't doing it on purpose this time. "i have always wondered . . what foolish mortals fear most." her voice is soft, barely a whisper carried along the passing breeze. it reaches his ears with ease, never to be missed, never to be silenced. "by breaking your walls, i would hardly gain any fulfillment. you are safe . . for now." though perhaps his death would not be by her hand, then another whom he so arrogantly turned to face. who knew.

She was clearly offended. It told him enough - even without her stepping forward and making the forest seem darker, clouds heavier - violence would be the next step for this creature in human skin. Yet, the Hunter didn't move. He wasn't a fool - his words were sharp and cut deep, he didn't care for manners or respect in that manner but he wasn't a fool that lived this long from fighting everything that comes to his home and invades his peace. She, was clearly here with a wish to do as they wanted - he wasn't the guardian of the forest, just a simple man living a simple life and yet, as always - Monster always sort him out as if it was their life long need to be his pain in the ass.

His nose scrunched at the ward shattering, it was a weak one to begin with. A magic from long back, old blood magics from witches that knew their shit. Without maintenance from those with the know how it was a simple old gift he kept over time. Fae - were burned by iron, enchanted goods like that fence were good for a flood but not indestructible. Still, he didn't like what he was witnessing. Thus, with his axe in hand - he turned to face her. Fearlessness on the forefront as he towered over the stump he was cutting wood and narrowed his gaze with an expression to speak of his taunt without his voice; 'is that all?'

Though her question did make him sigh through the nose, tuning her out for a moment to focus on the surrounding woodlands. Silence and eerily so. She was something more than just a simple monster, hm? No creature would silence the forest like this in his presence, they were strong but he was stronger with knowledge and they knew it. Held them back. But her? The Hag. She held her own, she was above the others…

But what was a God to a non-believer?

"I don't own the forest, monster. You are free to roam yet you come to me? Seeking a fight with mortals, beast? Is that the power you proudly hold over all now? Taking out the elderly in seclusion?" He mocked with ease, twisting his axe to allow the blade to fall to the floor - and his hands to rest on its handle that rose just to his belt line. "Impressive. Destroying old magic to replace with your ire, to threat for a deal. . . You live to the tales of monsters of man." Still, his frame remained relaxed, but to a trained eye - he held no openings for attack. Even if they were not someone he'd throw himself at, Wingates wasn't to take anything lying down. "I'll state it again, monster. I do not wish to bargain with you at all. Leave and pick what you desire from these lands. I do not own them."

#// he's so !!!! uggugughghghg i love him so much !!#nvrcmplt #✧˖°. ic | a cathedral of almost lovers.

SHE DID NOT WISH TO HARM HIM , she quite liked mortals , especially ones with a bit of fire in their soul . if only it'd been enough to keep him young . she was not blind , he had aged greatly , lived a good life no doubt . . the way he didn't tremble before her proved that well enough . shattering only one of his wards was barely scratching the surface in regards to her abilities . he was right about one thing though , he did not own the forest , but he was the only mortal for quite a ways . she was only being polite by asking .

he faces her finally and her head slowly tilts in response , like a curious animal rather than a goddess who was accustomed to interaction . indeed , the forest had grown quiet . not even a breeze rustled the surrounding trees anymore , it was quiet and still , as if every form of life had been drained from it in only a matter of seconds . monster , beast . . these names were not unfamiliar to her , but that didn't mean they irked her any less . her eyes flit from his face toward the axe again , the passing curiosity as to just how skilled he was in combat races through her mind like a whisper .

she ignores it . watercolor eyes return to his face in time , a small smile spreading o'er top plush lips as her arms extends through the bars . index and thumb draw nearer to one another only to slide together in a loud snap - just then , the distant sound of birds chirping returns , wind strong enough to sway even the tallest of pines sweeps in . "you must lead such a lonely life , shall i make it more exciting for you?" the bars rattle momentarily before stilling again . "the only things protecting you from all that is out here . . what would happen if it was all DESTROYED?"

she draws her arm back , both hands now idle at her sides though hidden beneath the fabric of long gossamer sleeves . her eyes rise , casting her gaze toward the sky; it would rain soon . "fae and creatures of the night . . is that all you fear?" she looks back at him , finally , foggy gaze once again transfixed . she wasn't leaving just yet .

━━━━━━━━━━━━ * / ( @nvrcmplt )

empressofegypt

moodboard: aphrodite | venus

sometimes chaos and love seem like the same thing.

#✧˖°. aesthetics | time compared to the wild fantastic silence of the stars.

He stares with no expression, hidden creases of age under white hairs of beard and mustache, hair held back by a single tie, out the way of his ever-sharp vision. Though a man way pass his prime, bones that creaked and rattled in the winter, he was wrapped in muscles long trained and kept in top condition. Stomach big and round, hearty meals but the lack of wiggle suggested more muscle than fat. Attention to her spoke of a hunter, taking in her movements and surroundings with them. Nothing missed, not a wisp of her hair avoided his gaze either.

Herb poach and a soft approach told him enough of a Herbalist in, a being of Nature but something about her still unsettled him. Axe remained in his grip, hovering over near quartered trunk to be gripped just a slight bit tighter as he spoke in return to her words. "What kind of bargaining in a place like this?" In the middle of the forest, it wasn't time or effort once gave so freely, many beings had to prepare so to have someone stopping that meant they had something worth it to aid or something they were after.

Knowing that she was here though told him enough - after all, he has iron fences. Fae wards and more scattered in his cabin grounds. Monsters knew this place as death - his entirety smothered in the everlasting smell of a killer of kin and kingdom. He hid nothing and if anything proved the fearlessness of what he held in his body for being so old, human and still damn alive. "I dare partake in a bargain with a hag in the forest. Move along… "

#nvrcmplt #✧˖°. ic | a cathedral of almost lovers.

SHE DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY , instead , she allows for his words to process before her rash tongue gets the best of her . perhaps he did not mean to outrightly insult her , yes . . it must've been an honest mistake . she writes it off as that and leaves it to perish in the wind as her hands grab the front of her dress to lift it just enough so that she would not step on the expensive fabric as she encroaches upon the iron fencing surrounding his cabin home .

she stops only once she has reached it , the same hands previously holding her dress now raised to press against the bars . my , how magic coursed through the metal , how it coursed through her just the same . she can't help but to wonder , how many wards did this man place about his home to maintain its security 'gainst all that roam these forests ? despite her curiosity , she does not ask . she remains firm on the topic at hand , just as her fingertips begin to heat up .

a sudden pop of white magic , sparkles ignited like fire in the sky surrounding the bar her right hand rests upon . one ward broken , how many more were left ? the legends were true , she never handled rejection well . "but you see , i am no hag . in fact , i am much worse~" she hums almost sweetly , despite the evident THREAT her words carry . "now , won't you entertain my offering of help ? i will give you firewood and in exchange , you will let me gather herbs in this forest." a moment to pause for breath; "i'll even deal with your little fae problem for you." surely he couldn't turn down such a deal .

━━━━━━━━━━━━ * / ( @nvrcmplt )

Swinging axes to chop up firewood and remembering the beheading of vampires that came across his path in many years prior to this one. The clean lines of breaking trunks aged over the years and the memory of watching vampires burn to ash when their heads rolled over pavements in splatters of red. . . It was a time he'll never forget, or will be able to forget, since they still roam this world.

For now though, he had to stock up for winter, it was rolling through slowly this year. Sniffing through the chilly autumn air, he turns his gaze once to the treeline of his cabin home to stare with ease upon the presence in his vicinity. "You better be here to sell me firewood or you best move along."

#nvrcmplt #✧˖°. ic | a cathedral of almost lovers.

THE SCENT OF ROSE is carried in a passing breeze , her eyes akin to fogged glass transfixed upon him . she'd only been gathering herbs and flowers that've dried out of season , their fragile petals all but crumbling in her palms . s'pose the thunk of his axe meeting wood did lure her in , but it was not her intention to impose by any means .

her gaze drifts from his face , down toward the wood he'd been chopping . doing that all on his own must take ages . . she feels for him in a sympathetic sense . tucking the herbs in her hands away , into the small pouch hung at her waist - she wets her lips with a quick swipe of the tongue; "i do not have any with me but i can offer a trade," her shop had a wood burning stove . she had a healthy supply of firewood she could offer him , for the right price , of course . "would you be interested in bargaining?"

━━━━━━━━━━━━ * / ( @nvrcmplt )

Visual aid; The Pink Pearl, Aphrodite's shop of potions & curiosities . ♥ *

#✧˖°. / goomi time | ooc.#tbd /#✧˖°. character study | delirious with my tenderness.

❛ how you’ve chosen to live your life. how are you so sure of yourself ? that what you’re doing is right ▬▬▬ that … ❜ he falls silent. he must sound like an idiot trying to explain himself. ❛ you said you would live freely … but i … i can’t do that. you said it yourself too … it’s difficult. i don’t fit in anywhere. ❜

his grip on the metal railing he’s been holding onto tightens as he looks out towards the vast expanse of ocean in front of them. ❛ i’m jealous of you, honestly. to be worshiped and loved and whatnot … ❜ a sigh as he leans forward, head hanging down so he can stare at the waves crashing against the shore. ❛ people don’t like me ▬▬▬ my … ❜ his nose scrunches up in disgust as he forces his next words out. ❛ my kind. they don’t like darkness. it scares them. ❜ hollow laughter. ❛ i can’t face my risks. i wish i could. at one point i even thought i could ▬▬▬ but i can’t. i wish i could change. i wish i could get rid of it. ❜ finally he turns to her, expressionless. ❛ i live in hiding … but i guess i’d prefer to live freely like you. not like it will ever happen but i can dream. ❜

SHE LISTENS , just as she always would . it is not that he sounds like a fool , the cause for her stare . it is because she was listening , allowing him to figure out his explanation in his mind first before uttering words . . though they were all jumbled in the end , weren't they ? she hardly minds . mortal beings were like this , either thinking too much or too little . "you know , i went through a lot of suffering myself , dear." just because she was at peace now did not mean she always had been .

"i was not always adored by so many . . even still , i am shunned by some." her hands collapse into her lap , slender fingers lacing loosely together . she would not touch upon the aspects of her persona that were not favorable , either . even a goddess had pieces of oneself that were undesirable but it was who she was and thus , she could not change it . "you will come to find people who love and care for you , just as i have . it just takes time." she pauses a moment for breath . "you do not need to change to be liked."

━━━━━━━━━━━━ * / ( @daemonry )

mcflymemes

"... WHERE ARE WE?" PROMPTS * assorted dialogue, adjust as necessary

what is this place, anyway?

why did you bring me here?

this is it? this is what you've been talking about this whole time?

i'm not sure where we are.

do you have any idea where this is?

does anything look familiar to you?

i could have sworn we came this way.

we've been walking in circles.

should we split up or keep moving?

do you have any idea where we are?

this isn't good. this doesn't look familiar.

that's the third time we've passed that tree.

bit dark in here, isn't it?

are you sure you know where we're going?

what did i just step into?

should we press on?

i have a feeling we're not in kansas anymore.

i thought you said you knew where to go.

where are you taking me?

if we just sit right here and wait, someone will come looking for us.

have you ever been here before?

you seem familiar with this place.

i don't recognize anything.

i knew we made a wrong turn back there.

you've been leading us in circles.

this isn't my street.

that house doesn't look familiar.

do you have a map?

we're already lost. i'm not planning on getting even more lost.

maybe we should ask for directions.

i don't think we should have come here.

my phone's dead. do you have service?

we could try retracing our steps.

could you help me try and figure out where we are?

oh my god. we're going to die out here.

quick! look for familiar landmarks.

i've never been here before.

oh no. i'm staying right here and waiting for help.

is this the place you've been talking about?

so... where is here?

of course. just my luck. i get lost with you of all people.

how much longer do we have to walk?

are we almost there?

you couldn't find your way out of a paper bag.

you should have trusted me with the directions.

this seems like some kind of underground passage.

where does this door lead to?

we've been walking for hours.

oh great. we're lost.

i'll see if i can get a good view from up there.

i don't think we should be here.

maybe we could try calling for help.

i don't want us to get separated out here.

it'll get dark soon.

we're going to die out here, aren't we.

i'll just sit here and wait for my impending doom.

the last thing i wanted to do was get lost with you.

is that your way of helping us find our way out of here? because it's not working.

#✧˖°. / inbox prompts.

ohisms

↪ 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 , 𝑰'𝑴 𝑨 𝑭𝑬𝑾 - ᶰᵒ ᶠᵃᵐᶤˡʸ ˒ ᵗᵒᵒ . 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑎𝑚 𝑖 ? ( a series of sentence starters from season 1 of “ orphan black ” . adjust phrasing as necessary . will be updated ! )

i wanna see [ name ] .

well , that's not fair , is it ?!

oh my god , you look like crap .

i didn't miss your birthday , did i ?

something really weird just happened at the train station .

what the hell is wrong with you ?

listen to me , [ name ] , i'm only gonna ask you this once .

oh , i'm fine by the way , thank you .

get in the car .

when you don't give a damn , i get pissed .

you'd better be ready . are you ready ?

you're sure as hell overdressed . what , were you out all night or something ?

this shit is as hard as it gets . but you've gotta stop making it worse .

i panicked , what do you want me to say ?

i'm kidding . where's your wit gone ?

you don't have to babysit me , dipshit .

i know this thing's got you all twisted up , but try to forgive yourself .

[ name ] , open the goddamn door !

yeah , the last thing i am is special .

[ name ] , where have you been ?

where have i been ? uh .. long story .

oh , jesus , are you alright ?

you have a few words , [ name ] ? anything you want to express ?

plead your mercy & your pity .

love is imperfection itself .

say it . go ahead , say it's my fault .

who the hell are you ?

of course not . you think we'd let that happen ?

i'm at home , you've got it all wrong .

you know what ? don't . i'm going to ignore that .

i'm worried you're losing the plot again .

sorry , i've got ... i've got a lot of work to do .

i mean , what am i supposed to do ?

you don't have to take this on .

i can't keep waking up every night , checking your breathing , worried you're mixing your meds , booze ... god knows what else .

i knew it was too good to be true .

why would you help such a stupid plan ?

i'm not going to play [ name ] in the middle .

i'm not dirty , i just freaked out .

if there is another version of this story ...

walk me through it again . so i know you won't crack under questioning .

you're making me nervous .

finally ! where have you been ?

who am i speaking to ?

how did you find me ?

idiot . do you even know who you're talking to ?

i don't care who you are .

nope , that is not my responsibility .

go , & wait for a call .

what i'm trying to do is move on .

we have known each other for awhile now , [ name ] .

i nailed it , man . every detail .

come on , [ name ] , give me a little love here !

you know , my skin just breaks out every time i leave downtown .

whoa , hey , [ name ] - you always do this to me !

i don't do backup , i don't even know what backup is !

i got stuck , i was running from my own shit .

i'm not giving you shit 'til you give me some answers .

don't ! do not shoot me , please !

seriously , it's life or death .

am i going insane ?

#✧˖°. / inbox prompts.

he would probably be offended by the question if he could find it in himself to be. of course he has thought about it ▬▬▬ ever since she had uttered those words they have remained etched into his mind. night turns to day and he finds himself still awake and searching for answers. ❛ oh, yes ... i … ❜ he trails off. no words seem to come ▬▬▬ no words seem right. his thoughts are so tangled up he isn’t even sure where to begin. even saying something like " i don’t know. " feels wrong. ❛ how did you … come to your conclusion then ? ❜

SHE LISTENS CLOSELY, how could she not ? after all , it is a topic she'd brought up . of course the original inquiry held no malice , it was not her intention to upset him nor to leave his mind in shambles . she does not know just how much thought he has put into it , but she can imagine . oh yes , she most certainly could .

the goddess eventually lowers her hands , allowing arms to hang freely at either side of broad hips . "what ever do you mean?" she came to a lot of conclusions , quite often at that . he'd have to be more specific . "do you mean the way i have chosen to live my life or . . mentioning that it must have been difficult for you?" if he was referring to the latter , then it was quite simple really . she was no fool , no being so incapable of sensing danger when it appeared could maintain such a title . "i can smell it on you , that darkness you carry as if it were your own shadow."