It's only then, in the rubble and the water and that amniotic-cerebral fluid clouding around me, that I truly realise what that means.
we, once again: We, no longer, the filament-fine stretch of Me meeting You, severed all at once. The tadpole, withering inside my skull, and taking you along with it.
I gasp: pain and shock and hitting the water all the way from the sky, and for a long, hideous moment, I can't remember how to swim.
Thrashing my way to shore — and it aches in me all the while, bleeding out youyouyou where are you are you— I shed my armour as I go, dropping metal into the glittering Chionthar. The Brain is an island slowly sinking, swallowed by the red-foam river, and all around I see ruins.
I don't see You. Pacing along the shore, armour half-off, all-ruined, hands bare and shaking, I call your name, Our names: Astarion-Wyll-Irenna, over and over. The river laps red and warm at my feet. When I look back, later: it's only been minutes.
It's only been minutes, but the wound in my head bleeds, and a person can drown in a few inches of water, and the Chionthar is ravenous-red.
There's no sign of you.
It occurs to me, brief and blasphemous, how much I've asked of Kelemvor these past months: whether this is the price. You, for Us.
And then I see you: minnow-dark, shedding your armour just as I did, all of us killing-heavy in our metal and leather. I run to you, feet loose in the sand as you thrash in the shallows. More graceful than me; no less dying, blood and water in rivulets down your shoulders. I slide my hands under your arms, haul you up the beach, and for a moment—
—and this, I will always remember—
I think you'll bite, twisting reptile-vicious in my arms.
Then you say my name, and the bleed in my skull stutters. Pain clarifies: your voice like gauze. Your mouth like raw meat and low tide, and the kiss ends when you cough water into my mouth, but your hand is a claw on my cheek and the pressure is easing, the scales in my chest swinging towards balance.
The blood in my mouth is fresh. You did bite — just not to kill.
I let you cough out red water, touch your hair stained sunset, and wait.
Couple of sketches to get a feel for these two. Their names are Irenna (blue) and Irassi (orange), and they’re half-sisters. They’re really fun to draw, so you’ll probably see more of them! Original designs by @jaxi-the-dragonborn, who still has adopts available! Go check em’ out!
Shitty doodle (again since tumblr ate it) to prove that I can think of a better way to end Chp. 519. This was totally inspired by @saccharinerose's post (also Yes, Anna is doing the middle finger thing to Acno -and to all Annalogia/Acnoleen fans too) @sassyhazelowl yup, also Anna is smirking and having a sassy face over here LOL.
I know this is what you guys needed... more fresh Eilenna drawings! (Also yes, I'm guessing Anna is kinda smaller than Irene by the character chart -using Erza vs Lucy's heights-) Lovely Anna comforting Irene... that's all I need. (And Wendy and Erza shocked in the background)
More Eilenna for that lovely annon! Dear Annon… I don’t know who you are… but… I love you already❤ Irene is such a Child around Anna. She’s doing the middle finger thing to Acnologia. Irene truly is “misses I steal your GF” also… Anna isn’t mad about the kiss… it’s about that childish behave (specially since Mating season but shhhh) hahaha Also gonna tagg @chychymazzu @sassyhazelowl @coldkittenliz-chan ❤ Hope you like it dear annon!!!