audio | unseelie locked | february 7th, post-destruction of caer scima.

[boutant]

[ She would use the video function but there's blood everywhere -- on her hands, her mouth, her chin. There will be more, if she has her way. Her voice is tight with barely concealed emotion -- rage, worry. Next to her comes the low sounds of a wolf who seems to be in pain; poor Brennan had felt it when Caer Scima was attacked, his howl having split across the battlefield like a clap of thunder. ]

If you can be spared or have the capacity, go put out the fires in La Llorona. Caer Scima's destroyed, if you haven't already heard the news. Any refugees can head for the third spire, if they need a place to go. I'd offer my manor as well, but you'll have to get through the burning forest to get there. Still, if you can, it's open to you.

[ A hissed breath. ]

Let me know if you're out of there. And- if anyone knows if a vampire named Aindrea got out of Caer Scima, please tell me.

Oh, and if you still think this war doesn't involve you, is something you can avoid? You're an idiot.

Comments

[boutant]

I don't know.

[ She swallows, looks at the wolf as well. ]

He could feel it.

[wipedclean]

[His frown deepens. He doesn't know what he should do about that. He doesn't know if there's anything he can do.

He swallows and looks back at Ariadne.]

Will you be alright?

[boutant]

I don't know that, either.

[ She pulls at her sleeves for a moment, tries to take a deep breath. ]

[wipedclean]

[He hesitates, watching her. He swallows, then steps forward and wraps his arms around her.]

[boutant]

[ Just like that, it's like all the fight goes out of her. She clings to him and all but sobs, hands fisting in whatever she can reach -- fabric, hair, whatever. ]

[wipedclean]

[He'd had no real loyalty before now. He was fighting for Ariadne, really, because he likes her, because Steve likes her.

They made her hurt. They made Brennan hurt. They've burned the forest.

They're going to pay.

But for now... for now, he'll hold her gently, resting his head on top of hers.]

[boutant]

[ There's blood everywhere -- on her, on him. She doesn't seem to notice for a while, leaving no space between them, simply clinging on like he's a lifeline. He's here, he's safe. She can hold onto that. She doesn't know yet how many others are.

Still. Eventually she quiets, tears having left tracks through the blood stains. Ariadne shifts, just enough to speak without being muffled. ]

I don't- is there anything else I can do?

[wipedclean]

I don't know.

[He wishes he had an answer. But all he knows is fighting, is killing. That's all he's good for, all he can do to help.]

[boutant]

At least I'm not the only one.

[ A pause, and she burrows into him again. Just a little longer. ]

People keep saying run, retreat, regroup. But there's no where for people to go that isn't the spires, not without getting too close to the army.

[wipedclean]

Are there any orders yet?

[Because it's not necessarily up to just them.]

[boutant]

Keep fighting. Keep them from advancing.

[wipedclean]

[He nods, his arms tightening around her just a little.

This is... somehow comforting to him, too.]

Yes.

[boutant]

[ She squeezes back, makes herself take another deep breath. ]

I'm going to try to coordinate with the Brucolac, another one of the Barons. Keep an eye on Brennan for me?

[wipedclean]

I will.

[He's not sure what he can do for the wolf. Maybe just sitting with him will help. He doesn't know. But he'll try.]

[boutant]

Thank you.

[ A pause, and then she shifts in his embrace to press a kiss to his cheek. ]

Stay safe.

[wipedclean]

[He freezes for a moment, a little unsure what to do with that contact. He pulls back and blinks at her, then swallows and nods.]

You too.