video; un: deathweaver

[respired]

[ So, that relatively cheerful guy dancing with everybody on the beach--he's gone. He's out of here. Koltira leans forward, his expression pained, jaw clenched. There's a flat piece of wood on the ground beside him with the start of an intricate filigree carved into it, but he's set it aside. He's focused entirely on the jewelry. ]

I feel unwell.

[ His guttural, echoing voice is rougher than usual; he sounds like jagged rocks scraping against each other, and the strange ethereal reverberation does nothing to better the effect.

He's experiencing, for the first time in years, something like fatigue. It's discomfiting, impossible. His kind does not tire. And yet here he is, feeling--not exhausted, but legitimately weary. ]

The ocean is not rife with magic, but it provides some sustenance.

[ He shakes his head, as though trying to clear his vision. Some sustenance. Not enough. ]

If anyone has found other sources, I would know of them.

[ His voice drops to an almost feral growl. ]

Or a solution.

Comments

[respired]

Near the entrance to their graveyards.

[ he describes an unusual tree ]

[heavyhitter]

Alright, don't go skipping away anywhere, I'll be there soon.

[ Soon is like, half an hour in this case, because it's a pretty good hike from where she'd been. But she's there eventually, pausing just long enough in the graveyard to spot the spooky weird tree before heading for it. ]

Is the inn not creepy enough for a dead guy to hang around?

[respired]

[ He looks up at her balefully. ]

I do not skip.

[ He gestures to the colorfully decorated lanes behind him, shrugging. ]

And this place is not 'creepy'.

[heavyhitter]

[ He`s probably right on both counts, but that doesn`t mean she has to admit it. She drops to a seat next to him, one leg folded comfortably. ]

Fuck that. Have you seen this place after dark, and the Dead Walk thing? You couldn`t pay me to do that again.

[ (Yes you could. But it`d have to be a lot!) ]

[respired]

I did see that. But I have no fear of spirits.

[ He gives her a look like 'obviously'. ]

[heavyhitter]

[ and she just. wordlessly shudders. spirits are the worst, okay, that wasn`t a fun time. ]

[respired]

Ramir, I am more or less a spirit.

[ He groans. ]

Particularly now.

[heavyhitter]

You`re solid, you don`t count!

[ Right? Isn`t he? She glances over, considers it for a few seconds, and prods his side. ]

[respired]

[ Still very much made of meat. He winces. ]

Stop that.

[heavyhitter]

[ Thank god, she would have been deeply concerned with any other result. To celebrate, a few more prods. ]

Why? This is good, this is evidence that you`re not super creepy!

[respired]

Hm. Your methods are faulty.

[ He gestures to his eyes, which still glow coldly with otherworldly light. ]

By most measures, I am in fact 'super creepy'.

[heavyhitter]

[ She snorts and waves that off easily, then lifts a hand to pat his cheek. Yep, just making sure nothing has changed on the corporeal front. ]

Whatever, that's just the icing on the handsome cake. You're vaguely creepy, if anything.

[respired]

[ He shuts his eyes, exhaling tiredly, and covers Ramir's hand with his own. She's warm. It's nice. ]

Ah, only vaguely. You do me such honors.

[heavyhitter]

[ She leaves her hand there, under his, because why not. She doesn't really need it right now. In fact, she lifts the other one to join in on his opposite cheek, framing his face. ]

Seriously though, do you want anything? I could bring you that deer booze.

[respired]

No.

[ He turns into her left hand, his cheek pressing against her palm. ]

Just this will do.

[heavyhitter]

[ As if she weren't concerned before, now she definitely is. ]

Nothing, okay, that's easy enough. But I'm here, ask anything, I'll getcha covered. [ She leans in and up, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead that doesn't quite match the brusque tone. ]

[respired]

[ He exhales, slow and ragged. ]

I want you to know something, Ramir.

I want to thank you.

[heavyhitter]

[ She doesn't care for that sound at all, and it gets a furrow between her brows as she keeps her attention close on him. ]

For what, hanging out? I'd do that anytime, have you noticed how hard I am to get rid of?

[respired]

No.

[ Murmuring. ]

For your kindness. For your persistence.

For forgiving me.

[heavyhitter]

[ Oh yeah, that's right, she was pissed at him earlier. For trying to kill her, right. It feels forever ago and irrelevant. She takes a hand back to wave the thanks off with a quiet huff. ]

Whatever, we're friends. That stuff comes with the deal.

[respired]

Mm.

[ He might've denied it, another time. He likely will again, should he make it through this. But for now, he just nods. ]

Thank you for being my friend, then.

[heavyhitter]

[ That's not something that needs thanks, so Ramir opts to ignore it. She watches him for a few more long seconds, then drops her other hand as well, which conveniently lands atop one of his. ]

Should I be encouraging you to take a nap, or keeping you awake?

[ The tired, dimmed quality to him doesn't sit well with her at all, but she's not sure which approach might work and which would be a disaster. ]

[respired]

It hardly matters. I find no rest in either case.

[ His eyes are shut, and he's mumbling. ]