ᴋᴏʟᴛɪʀᴀ ·sᴜɴsʜɪɴᴇ· ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜᴡᴇᴀᴠᴇʀ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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futurology2016-11-06 08:01 pm
respired) wrote in futurology2016-11-06 08:01 pm
video; un: deathweaver
[ Koltira's sitting on a flat rock, long legs stretched out, a bottle of something dark and high proof in one hand--a souvenir from the remains of the saloon. He's surrounded by cacti and tall, spiky yucca plants; the silhouette of Perdition's Rest is not far behind him, due west. He's close enough to reach by a quick walk, but not so close that he's in the middle of everyone and their campfires and their singing and their camaraderie and so on. A thin dusting of snow coats everything, though close inspection reveals a mirror-like sheet of ice slowly crackling its way into being over the rock, as though animated of its own accord.
A few people have seen him since that terrible week, but not many. He's cleaned up since then. No more chains. Back in his fine, planet-appropriate clothes--long, black coat, stylish hat, boots with sharp spurs. He has new, red tattoos on one hand, and his pale hair is done up in a thick braid that falls over his shoulder.
He leans forward, pulling his right leg up and draping his arm over his knee. He looks miserable. And a little drunk. ]
No one regrets what transpired more than me. I was not in control of myself, though it's no excuse. An apology feels weak and inadequate, but you have it from me, a hundred times, a thousand times.
[ He takes a drink from the bottle. A long drink. ]
I will do what I can to atone, within reason. If you wish me never to look your way again, I will not. If you wish to strike me, you may, though I will defend myself against a lethal blow. If you have something else in mind, tell me.
I will work with Sieglinde, for whatever fruit that bears. It may bear nothing, but I'll endure the attempt.
[ The guilt in his expression, pulling at his mouth and furrowing his eyebrows, hardens. He clenches his jaw. ]
Yet, understand this. I will never be a slave again. Not to any of you, nor to anyone else. I will not beg, and I will not scrape. I will not kneel. And you do not have the right to decide my destiny. None of you do. That's my decision, and mine alone.
[ He sets the bottle down. Shuts his eyes. Last time this happened, he had given a lengthy explanation. He had laid bare the facts of himself: what he was, how he came to be that way. But not this time. He will not open a vein for nothing; he will not suffer dismissal on top of scorn. Not over his past.
Besides, as guilty as he is, as deeply and truly remorseful, he's still angry, too. ]
I have nothing more to say.
A few people have seen him since that terrible week, but not many. He's cleaned up since then. No more chains. Back in his fine, planet-appropriate clothes--long, black coat, stylish hat, boots with sharp spurs. He has new, red tattoos on one hand, and his pale hair is done up in a thick braid that falls over his shoulder.
He leans forward, pulling his right leg up and draping his arm over his knee. He looks miserable. And a little drunk. ]
No one regrets what transpired more than me. I was not in control of myself, though it's no excuse. An apology feels weak and inadequate, but you have it from me, a hundred times, a thousand times.
[ He takes a drink from the bottle. A long drink. ]
I will do what I can to atone, within reason. If you wish me never to look your way again, I will not. If you wish to strike me, you may, though I will defend myself against a lethal blow. If you have something else in mind, tell me.
I will work with Sieglinde, for whatever fruit that bears. It may bear nothing, but I'll endure the attempt.
[ The guilt in his expression, pulling at his mouth and furrowing his eyebrows, hardens. He clenches his jaw. ]
Yet, understand this. I will never be a slave again. Not to any of you, nor to anyone else. I will not beg, and I will not scrape. I will not kneel. And you do not have the right to decide my destiny. None of you do. That's my decision, and mine alone.
[ He sets the bottle down. Shuts his eyes. Last time this happened, he had given a lengthy explanation. He had laid bare the facts of himself: what he was, how he came to be that way. But not this time. He will not open a vein for nothing; he will not suffer dismissal on top of scorn. Not over his past.
Besides, as guilty as he is, as deeply and truly remorseful, he's still angry, too. ]
I have nothing more to say.
no subject
[ Koltira would claim that he'd never hide from Fate, and that's true--he never hides from anyone, precisely--but he has been taking a lot of solitary walks in the desert lately. A wan smile ghosts over his expression. ]
Lucky for me, given my disposition.
[ He knows he's actually hardly ever cheerful company. ]
no subject
Well, then, I guess I'll be right over.
Shouldn't take me more than a few minutes.
no subject
I'm not going anywhere.
action;
He readjusts his hat, then approaches the elf, brushing his hand over Koltira's.]
I don't suppose you'd like to share some of that?
no subject
Koltira glances at Fate's hand, even as he's offering up the bottle. ]
Take as much as you'd like.
no subject
[The bottle is gently taken, and he leans in to leave a warm kiss to Koltira's cheek first.
He takes a swig, pausing to welcome the burn.]
So. You want to talk?
no subject
His eyes are downcast, fixed to the sheet of ice now thickening over the rock. ]
Many people have forgiven me. But ... not everyone. It might be--dangerous.
no subject
Never been in danger before.
[Fate reaches up and brushes hair from Koltira's face.] If yer scared of what's gonna happen to me, it's sweet of you. But try not to.
no subject
I am not scared.
[ Fear, what's fear! What does that even feel like. He can't tell you. Surely not. ]
I'm concerned. I don't want you caught up in the vendettas that the others may have against me.
no subject
Charming... Koltira. [Now he's definitely reaching to hold his hand.] The thought crossed my mind. People with grudges can be a dangerous thing. But the madder a person is, the more likely they'll make mistakes. And I surely benefit off of the blind rage of a man.
That's to say, I'm very good at escaping trouble. I'll know it's comin'. If you're concerned, I'll be able to get a way out.
no subject
That is some relief.
[ He squeezes Fate's hand, and some of the tension drains, visibly, from his muscles. His expression is no less troubled, however. ]
But your association [ is that the right word? it feels inadequate, but it'll have to do ] with me may be damaging in other ways. Even if the others do not attack you outright.
no subject
Listen.
I'm not real concerned myself by whatever rumors or reputation turn up. Nothin' I'm not already used to, anyway. And if you think for even a second that somethin' like this will make me reconsider what I got with you, you're wrong.
You said to me that you'd always come back for me. [A fact that does something wonderful and awful to his heart.] And I swear, I'm not gonna turn my back on you either.
I won't ever make that mistake again, especially not with you.
no subject
He brings Fate's hand to his lips, kisses Fate's knuckles. He exhales against Fate's skin as he speaks, cool and soft. ]
Thank you.
[ Koltira lets go. ]
You have suffered enough on my account. I simply don't wish to see it compounded.
no subject
He can't help but smile at the gentlemanly kiss; it's actions like this that really do manage to make his heart flutter for a moment. No one in Runeterra would treat a riverman this way.]
Hell, maybe there was a bit of sufferin', but I'd say it's been well worth it.
We'll be all right, one way or another. An' you can't get rid of me that easily.
no subject
He leans forward to kiss Fate's forehead. Emphatically: ]
I would never want to.