The curl of his nose had settled against his features, disgusted โ insulted by the words that had been thrown in his direction. Pity borrowed itself as something he didnโt feel, and to have his attempt at mending his unfortunate wording discounted aligned itself with something he did not appreciate. โYou can be pissed off at the wording and the implications I hadnโt meant but were still present, and thereโs no need for you to accept the apology โ it wasnโt made with the intent of seeking that acceptance. But donโt mistake it for pity. Itโs something that I donโt feel, and itโs certainly something I wouldnโt insult you with.โ
Where his timbre had been filled with ice, the volume of which it had freezed over kept itself minimal. A subconscious habit he had developed in his time conversing with the elf. Observations lent themselves to the finding that senses were amplified, sound being a particularly grating one. He knew that they werenโt exactly close, their past times excluded the braiding of hair, instead they worked similar circles โ methods in order to achieve a goal. His own words had surprised him, and he had hardly expected it to balm over any wounds he may have opened.ย
The introduction of the concept of pity, however, had been the thing to make his skin crawl, and reignite his irritation. His tongue clicked against the roof of his mouth, the knowledge that setting each other off would be counterproductive floating around in his mind, but aside it existed the fact that the pair had an innate ability to dig at precise buttons to ignite a flare within the other. The drow sucked in a breath, lithe fingers pinching at the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes, attempting to soothe what had been set off.ย
Allowing agitation would get them nowhere; neither would adding fuel to the rotten thoughts curling around his skull, or the tension that had found itself applying pressure to his shoulders. Pointless, pointless, pointles-
He drew out a slow exhale, attempting to extinguish the feverish flames that threatened to spill, the breath methodic as he repeated the process, until it had at least dampened. Despite their ability to dance on fried nerves, unfortunately where it counted Nym-yraen found the elf capable, someone good to have around when his own calculations took a more sinister approach most would turn away from. โBaring our teeth at each other is going to get us nowhere. I hadnโt meant to set you off. And holding a semblance of calm isโฆ difficult for me at the moment. I didnโt apologise because I pity you, and I didnโt offer one with the expectation of it being accepted. Like I said, I misspoke. My words were, rightfully, misconstrued, and regardless of everything I should have had some awareness as to the point I was trying to portray. Thatโs all there was to it.โย
After he had been certain that his own irritation had been left with only embers, he adjusted his position, removing the hand from his face before soothing over the gauze peeking from his shirt, a quiet self soothing ritual that easily played itself off as insurance that everything was where it should be. At the same time, he allowed the elf the space to speak, offering a small consolation of a nod as he processed what had been offered in turn. โYour attempt at care wasnโt poor, if itโs worth anything. Admittedly I am not the easiest to talk to, and accepting anything that resembles care isnโtโฆ easy by any means. It goes hand in hand with vulnerability and allowing weaknesses to be visual, which are both areas outside of my expertise.โย
He knew the type of people they were. How they operated, information shared easily became a loaded weapon, stored in the back pocket waiting for a moment to strike. It had been something he admired about the rogue, but something he kept his awareness angled towards all at the same time. Especially when he hadnโt gained anything in turn, outside of what he had counted as common knowledge. Maybe it was just common to him. โI appreciate the effort. Especially when itโs not your first reaction. I am justโฆ evidentially atrocious at accepting it.โ The words seemed like a good place to go; acknowledging the attempt, whilst seemingly holding some accountability towards his own shortcomings โ it angled itself towards a careful line to toe, trying in places he otherwise wouldnโt.ย
The drow cocked a brow at the rogue, placing consideration towards his words. It wouldnโt be a difficult endeavour โ hells his decaying blood called for it, the whispers that pinged against pointed ears delighted by the prospect, igniting the bloodlust like a silent flame sweeping the forest. But it came in hand with the question surrounding his own ability of control, being able to stay at the helm of his mind. It wasnโt as though his frustrations hadnโt been taken out on the pitiful souls that they had come across โ particularly rough days lent themselves well to the malice angled in precise slices to their enemies. But lines existed โ loosely. โTaking it out on people who make the sorry decision to cross us is precisely what Iโve been doing. Thereโs just certain nuances, like Iโve said.โ Things he was wholly unwilling to discuss.
Should they come to light, it put himself in more danger than he would be willing to deal with.ย
A laugh pooled from his lips, shaking his head as he was quietly amused. Discussing uncertainties, what an asinine prospect. โAs delightful as that sounds,โ it didnโt, โdiscussing uncertainties in this regard is something Iโd prefer to stray from. They exist, but theyโll get buried like the rest of it. Besides โ Iโm far too sober and aware to get into that particular topic.โ