#riven.

[summer-fire]

AUGHHGH

[dualgun]

" i am fine. " lack of sleep weighs on her like the world shrugged on Altas' shoulders ( of course it was another nightmare. ) " i will take this shift. you can rest. "

a roll of his eyes suited the other's rather 'bold' claim. even so, the pressing matter had been his companion's depleted energy. if anything he'd been the sole witness to her vulnerable state. however, the man's recognition of her guarded nature spelled the need for some level of tact. snapping a few stray pieces of dry wood, the fire crackled absently all the more hungry for the additional fuel. 

" and after you've dozed off, who will keep watch then? " knowing the other might have taken offense he instead picked a lengthy stick to toy with the building ash in the fireside. sketching absently he let golden eyes fixate more openly on her. " come here, riven. " as she drew close he only gestured her more. 

" closer. sit next to me. " 

finally he had finished the two sketches before him. initials, all too carved into his very being he'd been inclined to voice his own experiences. 

" you've seen war, you've become it sure enough. but grief, true grief and loss nothing prepares you for that. i don't care if you're a living god or a child. we all deal with it differently, some better than others. you, your allies no doubt or your sins whatever you've made them out to be. myself, my dead wife. we all have our burdens, you're not alone in that. but if you insist on not getting sleep i'll simply have to knock you out myself." 

baiting the other, his threat hadn't been one in the least. he knew she'd ask questions, he'd willingly answer even as an additional sketch filled the ash beneath him. her own initial coupled with his and his wife's.

[dualgun]

rests her head on his shoulder, arm coming to tangle into his until fingers can settle on his knuckles. she didn't want to push it - hopefully, this would do for now, this moment.

There's a brief dip in his gaze, the way they're coiled together reminded him far too much of sharing his space with another. Despite merely walking, the act alone spoke to onlookers but just as well rationalizing the need for warmth and permitting a proper means of blending her within the village crowd brought an uneasy permission. He'd learned volumes of the other and to spurn her at such a simple gesture would have damaged far more than simply allowing it. Brief, his free hand grazed her knuckles in passing as if a reminder of his silent permission.

[dualgun]

" now i just wonder if we are running into each other on purpose. " though she moves her blade with a quick lift, the ease with which hid how much heft it took to do so. an empty spot is now freed up beside her. " have you some time to spare? you seem like you could use some rest. "

there's a lingering air of skepticism echoing from hardened features. given the way he studied her. the man's presence hardly beckoned to one of warmth and trust, even the man's eyes remained fixed on her instead of the weapon she maneuvered with such ease. practiced no less, he'd seen her in action, personally at that. 

" you could've got yourself killed. or worse, i could've shot you. " 

in truth, he'd still remained skeptic even with the mausoleum having been cleared.

[pastneku]

Arcade Riven and Ssw Rengar props wip ^^