Fable - Ask Point the Scythe

As comfortable as Kor had become with Zephyrine, his hand still tensed when he felt her close her own around it. A ripple of anxiety shot up his arm, his brain calling for him to pull away and lash out towards the unexpected contact. It was not just his social reclusiveness that brought such an urge, but his lack of sight. Anything that touched him that he could not see was a possible threat, a potential risk to his life.

And yet, he bit the inside of his cheek, took a deep breath, and allowed her to hold him there, even that small bit, just for a moment. By the time she realized her action and retracted the gesture, the back of his hand felt cold. The absence of her palm was almost... empty.

"My reasons were purely selfish, you know." It was both the truth, and an attempt to deflect her praise. "I couldn't leave on my own. Even with my magic, I... my condition makes things difficult for me." Kor had been planning on exile no matter what. But without another set of eyes, without another body to guide him, he'd have lost his way. Even at the peak of his arrogance, he knew that truth. "And I'd just lost a dear friend. Combined with my anxiety over leaving, I'd never felt loneliness before."

Kor merely shook his head, foggy eyes focused on the bar in front of him.

"I used you, just as I'd used everybody I'd ever met, be they man, woman or beast."

Zephyrine

What... was this?

Kor had liked to think he had finally begun to wrap his head around the feelings of trust and friendship. He was no expert, but nor was he the picture of isolation and coldheartedness that he'd once been. When Zephyrine reached out again, slower as she again placed his hand so gently over his, he felt something... different. It was faint, little more than an itch in the back of his chest.

But it was powerful.

The busy city around them, the food stall, the mission they were to continue upon tomorrow, it all faded from his perception as his blind eyes slid down to the warmth of her hand, following them up her arm, letting his imagination paint the picture of her sitting beside him, rather than relying on loyal Repent.

"It's... strange." He muttered, as if only half aware of his own words. "At the moment, I only seem to be able to think of you. And how it will wound me to be apart from you again..." More honest than he intended, perhaps, but he blinks and shakes his head. "Thank you, for encouraging me to join you tonight. I... am enjoying myself."

Zephyrine

The slightest of smirks played at his lips with her mention of a certain somebody's worrisome nature. It was true, Larkin worried about Zephyrine more than most men worried about themselves. Kor would have found it a weak trait, had he not known the traumas that had brought about such a mindset. With what the bard had gone through, Kor couldn't rightly blame him for clinging to those he holds dear.

"The fool acts like your sibling." The word 'fool' might have sounded insulting if Kor didn't put so much emphasis on it. As it stood, it sounded much more like fondness than distaste. "I think if he'd known your desire to punch him, he'd have leaned in and given you a better angle." Kor would allow himself to open up, even if it was just a little bit, to distract from the late walk back to their rooms.

Nights were far more difficult to navigate without Repents aid than the day, and the bird was tired from their trip. Even if he did connect with him, it was doubtful to do much good. Archene and the rest of the flock were too far to summon, so... Well, he was thankful for Zephyrine's aid.

"As for seeing your capabilities, I've never been opposed." Kor now angled his face upwards, feeling the thin tendrils of heat as they snaked out from the inn they approached, wafting out from the torches that kept the place illuminating and guiding him with a beckoning hand. "I simply do not have much opportunity. My time away from work and training most usually consists of tending to the flock or some other menial task. My talent is one that does not aide me outside of my handicap or disability."

The corner room was a wise choice, and Kor was thankful for Zephyrine's foresight, even if she was not particularly found of his avian partner. She described to him the room, and guided him to the cot beside the window, a slight breeze sneaking underneath the shoddy framework and chilling his neck as he perched himself on the barely-there mat.

"Not luxurious..." Kor admitted, shrugging as he crossed his legs. "But I've certainly slept on worse, and I won't need to move to the floor to properly meditate in the morning."

Zephyrine

Kor was unused to sleeping in a room with another person. Most often he'd rather pay for his own space out of pocket or sleep outside than share any occupancy with another. That he did not feel that normal disgust toward Zephyrine as she settled in across from him was an interesting thing, but not something he dwelled on.

It was still uncomfortable, after all.

Even if Kor couldn't see her, he still knew she was there. Another entity, out of his control, with the sight that he sorely lacked. In the grip of sleep, he would be totally defenseless, unable to defend himself from any assault. His flock was not here, Repent needed rest. Kor was no Dreadlord at night, just a blind, hapless boy.

A boy who trusted Zephyrine, nonetheless.

Come morning, she would find him with eyes closed, still sitting cross-legged on the thin mattress. It wasn't clear whether he'd woken early to continue his meditation, or if he'd not moved at all since she'd fallen asleep. Regardless, he moved only when she spoke, bringing his hands to his knees and taking in a deep breath.

"It's already being prepared. I had Repent fly down an order for me about an hour ago. I considered waking you then, but thought perhaps you might not enjoy a beak poking you back to consciousness."

Zephyrine

Kor continued to keep his eyes closed even as Zephyrine spoke, offering naught but a shrug of his shoulders. "I wouldn't know. I've seen you quite crabby in plenty of situations." For the first few months of their relationship, Zephyrine's default attitude towards him was crabby. One could be forgiven for marveling at how she'd mellowed out, but Kor didn't dwell on such trivial things. Not consciously, anyway.

At her invitation, Kor slid from his bed and slowly rose to his feet. The boy spread his arms, giving himself a moment to find his balance in the dark world he lived in. "A bit of help would be nice, yes." Repent was still enjoying a morning stretch, so Zephyrine's guidance would be most welcome. He waited for her touch to signal him before moving, following close behind as they descended to meet with the rest of the team.

Sure enough, there were two empty seats with plates of food waiting for them, and a few wandering eyes from their comrades as well. Kor had expected such juvenile glances, the product of minds so boring they felt need to manifest artificial drama to entertain themselves. He paid them no mind, sitting in front of one of the plates and pulling out the seat beside him for his friend.

"You've never told me, you know." He muttered through his food, partway through the meal. "The cost of your magic. You're always careful to be clear of me before it hits you, I think." It wasn't anything he'd pried about, to be quite fair. Zephyrine's strengths and weaknesses were her own business, but... After the conversation they'd had the night prior, he found himself...

Worried.

Zephyrine