{Voice; UN: bakusaiga}

[prince_of_the_moon]

I wish to fight.

{Because, damn it all, he knows battle. Relationships? Apparently he is a failure in that arena.}

Do not reply if you are weak.

Comments

[atheva]

I have not thought that far ahead. I wasn't sure I'd survive the last time my world was in danger.

[prince_of_the_moon]

Why shouldn't you survive? Plan on it.

[atheva]

I did not survive by my strength alone.

[prince_of_the_moon]

Life is a gift. Cling to it as tightly as you can.

[atheva]

I won't give up easily. That, I can promise you.

[prince_of_the_moon]

My blade can revive someone once. Only once.

[atheva]

Then you'd best not let those dear to you come to harm.

[prince_of_the_moon]

I made that mistake. I won't again.

[atheva]

You have my sympathies.

[prince_of_the_moon]

She isn't with me. {All he can do is hope others are keeping her safe.}

[atheva]

(( She lays a hand on his shoulder gently. ))

It is difficult to be without our loved ones.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{He seems to take a small, steadying breath.}

I detest relying on my brother, but I have no choice.

[atheva]

Are you not on good terms?

(( Or perhaps it's just pride. From what she knows of Sesshomaru, he is a proud creature. Perhaps relying on another makes him feel vulnerable or weak. ))

[prince_of_the_moon]

He is - {A Half-Breed idiot. Yet...} My foolish younger brother.

[atheva]

(( She can't help the fond smile. ))

I, too, have a foolish little sister.

[prince_of_the_moon]

Then you know what trouble they can cause. {A lot of it he doesn't want Rin involved with.}

[atheva]

I do. I also know the blow to the pride it would be to accept help from a foolish younger sibling.

[prince_of_the_moon]

He can protect her. {Mostly.} Our great foe is dead. The dangers should be few.

[atheva]

(( Atheva nods and dares lift a hand to his shoulder. ))

You care deeply for those who are dear to you. But, I hate to tell you, you look a mess right now. Why don't we go somewhere to get you clean and changed? I'm afraid you're a little singed.

[prince_of_the_moon]

{Yes, he can feel his wounds and they do need tending. Glancing at his arm, he almost seems on the verge of licking the burn. Dogs.}

Your spells have power behind them.

[atheva]

I have spent most of my life learning them. Primarily for defense, but they came in handy when I had to battle a true monster.

Here. (( She reaches into a hidden pocket in her clothes and produces a small, shallow jar. )) This salve should help the burns.

[prince_of_the_moon]

What does a true monster look like to you? {He is reluctant to take the salve, but it will save him energy.} Can you make more?

[atheva]

This monster was a mad man who fancied himself a new god. And he was willing to destroy the entire world to make his dream of godhood a reality. I saw the future of my world if he succeeded and it was a dying world.

(( Her expression darkens. Corypheus had been one thing... Solas will be another. He too would destroy the world to recreate it in the image he prefers, but only Corypheus, Solas had been an ally, a friend. ))

I have no healing powers, so I learned to make salves and potions for battlefield wounds. I can make more.

[prince_of_the_moon]

Your monster sounds like mine. {Naraku. While he had never called himself a god, he had certainly wanted to be untouchable while he destroyed everything he touched.}

Thank you. {He uses the salve on his arm and his neck.} Demons can be brutal and merciless, but men are far worse.

[atheva]

Demons in my world are spirits corrupted by coming through the veil. Though I have met several who retained their reason. They are not like you at all. It's almost sad.