anyone; claim?

[leliana]

I waited for something, and something died
so I waited for nothing, and nothing arrived

She doesn’t expect the sudden outflow of kindness that she finds from the others. Cress lets her own healing flow through her, and although she makes a sound of protest, it’s too late and she doesn’t fight the warmth that so quickly spreads through her. She can feel the gash on her chest beginning to knit closed, the infection being chased away, and she sighs with relief, pressing her forehead into the mare’s neck.

“Thank you,” she breathes, overwhelmed by the show of selflessness.

Her attention is once again caught by the glowing stallion, and she listens intently as Cress tells their story in more detail. She swallows back the tears that threaten to rise up her throat, the reminder of all that they have tried (and failed) to accomplish. She doubts that a day will go by when she does not see the vision of Rhonen falling beneath his assailant’s hooves. She doubts she will ever be the same again.

Still, she steps to the side, allowing him to walk in between them.

His wings flare over them both, and she feels his own flood through her. It, paired with the gift she had already given from Cress, is enough to make her head swim with relief. She has lived so long now with this exhaustion, with this dark sickness, that she almost doesn’t remember what it feels like to feel normal. She knows that the plague still remains nestled win her veins, and she still coughs, but it is not as bad as it had been when she had arrived and she feels nearly delirious with the weight of it lifted.

She leans over, pressing crimson lips into his neck as a soundless thank you.

Without thought she moves closer to press her shoulder into his, offering support. “We have to try,” her voice is quiet, offered to them both. “Even if we can only offer momentary release, even if we can only keep the worst of the symptoms at bay.” He steps away and she finds his gaze, holding it.

“Where would you have us start?”

it's our dearest ally, it's our closest friend
it's our darkest blackout, it's our final end

@[Cress] @[Tiphon]