Having completed his impromptu inspection, Ion shifts his gaze to her dark features as he settles in front of her once more. She appears to relax quite swiftly now that it has become clear his intention is not to make her his next meal. It’s an amusing thought, inspiring him to wonder if that would be considered cannibalism. He’d never been tempted to snack on equine flesh, even in his darkest imaginations. There is a darkness to that thought that even he cannot quite resolve.
Despite all appearances to the contrary, Ion is not a cruel man by nature. He had been born of loving parents in a closely knit family. And even in their grief over his still-born twin, they had always been good and attentive parents. It is not their fault that he had lived and Atom had died. Nor was it their fault that guilt had eaten him alive at the thought that he should have been the one to die instead.
He suspects Atom had known how guilt had become an acid in his heart. Suspects it is why he had sent Wren to him. Still, even knowing what he does, he can’t seem to change his own trajectory.
He should feel guilty now for the fear he inspired in her, but perhaps that acid had finally eaten through his heart entirely. Because as he stares at her, yellow eyes burning, it is not guilt he feels.
Her admission that she had come here for a change of pace causes one equine brow to raise in question. It gives him cause to wonder just what kind of pace she’d had before if she had imagined this was the kind she wished for, but he does not put those thoughts to words. He’s not certain they are well enough acquainted yet for such personal musings.
The sarcasm in her next words brings a slight grin to his lips, unable to repress his amusement at her reproach. As far as unorthodox went, he’s fairly certain that had been a rather tame introduction. Proof then that she must have lived a very sheltered life indeed. And answer to the question of whether she was brave or foolish - though perhaps naive would be the better word in this case.
“Ion,” he answers simply, before shrugging his shoulders noncommittally, causing Wren to chirp huffily. “It’s a first, I’ll admit. I’m still deciding if there should be a second.” His amusement deepens as his gaze turns sardonic. “What do you think?”
ion
in the empty of the grave, only distant dreams remain
@[Sparrow]