#also not shams being light and mason being hIIISSSSSSS

[greenelight]

it   has   become   part   of   his   nature   to   be   defensive   whenever   he   is   approached   willingly   ,   but   that   never   used to be   the   case   many   years   ago.   there   was   a   time   when   mason   recalls   being   a   much   more   pleasant   man   ━━   a   man   with   rosy   cheeks   &   prosperous   future   ahead   of   him   ,   filled   with   scribbled   bits   of   sheet   music   &   thunderous   applause in opera houses.   he   would   have   lived   &   died   full   of   happiness   if   the   powers   that   be   allowed   ,   but   he   was   forced   to   be   cursed   &   live   a   long   , endless life   that   is   dark   &   disturbed   ,   his   need   to   feed   &   drink   the blood of others   forever   a   hideous   trait   he   has   no   choice   but   to   accept.   once   he   became   a   monster   ,   the   darkness   swallowed   him   whole   ,   leaving   behind   the   shell   of   a   man   he   once   used   to   be   &   never   would   be   again.   gone   are   the   days   of   song   &   music ,   of   opera   &   beauty.   now   his   days   are   filled   nothing   with   darkness   &   decay   ,   therefore   why   would   he   ever   drag   any   poor   soul   to   wallow   in   his   sadness   with   him   ?   he   needn't   any   pity   or   risk   a   poor   human's   life   if   his   hunger   grows   uncontrollable.   mason   may   not   harm   any   humans   as   best   as   he   can   ,   but   he   won't   mingle   with   any   either   ,   regardless   of   their   questions   or   constant   badgering.   but   shams   isn't   human   ,   now   is   she   ?   mason   is   aware   of   her   ability   ,   of her duty   ,   but   there   is   something   about   her   that   is   different   from   others   who   hold   holy   power.   she   lingers   closer   to   him   &   he   damn   near   flinches   as   if   he   were   in   pain from the closeness.   even   when   the   vampire   makes   his   disdain   for   her   known   ,   he   cannot   deny   her   beauty   &   strength   ━━   the   closest   to   reaching   the   sun   he   will   ever   accomplish.

❝   you   don't   believe   it   was   me   ?   ❞   the   query   comes   out   more   confused than   he   intended   ,   realizing   his   mask   slipped   slightly from disbelief.   the   vampire   does   his   best   to   keep   his   aloof   nature   intact before   her   ,   but   it's   fairly   clear   he   is   not   truthful   when   it   comes   to   his   rudeness.   he   merely   appears   this   way   so   that   he   can   be   left   alone   to   his   own   devices   ━━   that's   all.   however   ,   unfortunately   for   the   vampire   ,   shams   azari   is   not   one   who   can   be   easily   deterred   by   admittedly   terrible   acting.   mason   clears   his   throat   ,   an   attempt   at   a   recovery   ,   which   soon   follows   by   a   crack   in   his   voice.   pathetic.   ❝   i   understand   you   are   good   of   heart   &   want   to   help   others.   how   kind   of   you   &   how   grand   it   must   be   to   still   have   a   heart   that   beats for others.   ❞   arms   cross   ,   leaning   against   the   wall   as   he   keeps   a   distance   from   her   ,   still   unsure   where   this   conversation   where   lead.   there   is   no   telling   if   shams  is being   honest   or   if   this   is   all   a   ploy   to   capture   &   torture   him.   mason   knows   it   would   be   better   if   he   ran   right   now   &   hid   away   in   darkness   once   again   ,   but   a   part   of   him   ,   the   former   human   part   ,   cannot   hide   his   unending   curiosity.   ❝   what   sort   of   question   do   you   have   for   me   ?   ❞   he   pauses   ,   then   ,   quickly   follows   that   question   up   with   another.   ❝   &   what   will   you   give   me   if   i   assist   you   ?   ❞

it used to be that there was only one emotion she knew like the back of her hand. it ate at her like a beast starved for centuries, sat heavy on her stomach, leading her to where she is now. she wasn’t born with this, no, she was born in the afternoon. the air was brisk and the sun was setting by the time her mother held her. she knew, from the moment she thought of it, the anger she held wasn’t always hers.  she'd picked up pieces as she grew up, borrowed the parts of her mother she tried to shield her from, absorbed the fights of the families nearby, seen by the way her father carried himself. she collected it all like a pastime, like stones she’d hold in her pocket, save for a collection to admire later. except every stone burned with the scorn of who she had stolen it from. and shams quickly learned what that molten really was.  and then she was fed it, introduced to its existence by everyone around her, who listened to her as if she was singing some lullaby. and when she grew up, her anger began to define her— defined her for centuries. it was a simple truth: she was not merely helping people. she was carrying their sorrow and grief with her and she cannot simply let it go.

the responsibility that was placed upon her by the traditions of her kind slowly turned into something more useful to her, as she has made it out to be. this one was warm and gentle. it relaxed her muscles and made her heart sing. and somehow it always managed to repeat one thing: you have to keep helping them. and her inner thoughts and the way she acted towards them always radiates off her in waves, making her appear like a second sun. she stands here now, taking a look at him. she notes the tone of his voice and the way he speaks the words and notes how familiar they sound to her. she, however, remains calm and collected, only giving him a smile. `` mister greene, i must remind you that this is simply my duty. `` and it always will be. while the traditions of official titles had been long forgotten between the reera, she is still one of the leaders of the zaran sect and it is her duty to protect the people she leads. she was driven by it, after all. by a devotion to her people that made her motivated, a devotion that left her both protected and in danger. she takes in the scene before her as she steps closer. `` i only came to ask a question. there is truly no need for any defensiveness. `` a pause. `` i don't quite believe it was you. ``