04-15-2015, 11:41 AM
 He knows she will ask certain questions just as she knows he will react as he does. They settle into their old pattern of equal amounts of irritation and compassion lacing their words. As if they can’t find the right combination of words to express themselves; as if they can’t convey the depth of their emotions and so resort to childish pettiness. The wall that rose between them before is back, though this time it feels more like an impenetrable fortress. They hurt, for far different reasons perhaps, but they react the same as they always have. So she isn’t surprised when he treats her with indifference. She welcomes his cold shoulder, because at least it’s here, in the Dale once more. With me, she thinks selfishly, sidling imperceptibly closer to the fire-stallion when he’s not looking. His steely tone might not come as a shock, but what he says does. Torture. Deep down, she always knew Tiberios hadn’t abandoned them of his own free will. There was too much here for him. From the day she practically accosted him as he entered the Dale, Talulah felt that he truly belonged. He was – is – one of them. And whatever kept him away had no business doing so. His answer is incentive enough to move. Talulah braces herself for the sights ahead and circles around him. She leaves the comforting familiarity of his burnt hide for a new horror. His ‘good’ side (the side that looked like any other horse, not the distinguishing mark of a loved one) is now a canvas of confinement and pain. It’s obvious to her that the irregular lines of scar tissue were where chains had covered him. She is no stranger to chains, though the ones that had held her in the Chamber had been mercifully reserved for her feet. This is incomparable and completely enraging. The metal-girl quakes with indignation as she comes alongside him once more. More than anything, motherhood has ignited her desire to protect. And in a strange twist of fate (reasoning that Tiberios wouldn’t care to hear, perhaps) she feels as compelled to act for him as she would Ramiel. But she remembers, just as her eyes are blazing with a hatred for a torturer she doesn’t know, that he probably doesn’t want her help. He says Tiphon’s name like he knows – and maybe he does, maybe it’s better to not have any secrets between them. No secrets, only a wall that she stubbornly tries to break down with her words. “I’m sorry. I was so worried for you. It turns out I was right to be.” The fire dims and finally blinks out in her gut. What’s the point when they keep apologizing? Will they take turns saying their sorry for an eternity? “Do you know who did this to you?” She thinks of justice before realizing how impossible it will be to obtain. Their numbers are so few, and as much as she’d like to go to war for the horror inflicted upon their lord, it would be a lost cause without additional help. “Tiphon has been away. I believe he is procuring an alliance with the Jungle.” Talulah can’t meet his eye when she says it. Their angel king has been absent far longer than that diplomatic trip should take. He hasn’t even met his son. She sighs and adds, “what do you want to do about it?” She means his capture, because if he wants to forget it, she will. But if he wants to take action, she will be the first to step behind him. lady of the Dale |
