#especially since i took these scenes in less than 20 mins before maintenance shut the servers down

[of-the-eventide]

He found them sitting alone atop the Congregation. It was the wee hours of the morning, the sun not even gracing the horizon with its first light and yet he knew they would be awake. Sleep would not come to them after the events of the Vault and it seems neither for him. He did not hide his steps, not hiding his deafening clinks of armor as he let his hand pull out the chair beside them. They did not remove the tight white grip they had upon their hair, didn't move their tear-stained checks towards him as he took a seat upon their right, and they did not breathe in his direction as he faced his eyes towards them. It was a standoff then. Ito did not move to face him, made no noise to acknowledge he was even there while Estinien made no move to speak platitudes. What was there to say that was not already given? To this grief that marked this stoic and proud warrior so plainly? Nothing spoken could bandage this bleeding heart. Nothing said could bring him back. So he simply let out his hand between them. An offer. A kindness of touch he is sure no one has yet offered them but the young boy under their care. A reminder that he is here, no matter the path. They fit their small hand in his with nary a word, their grip tight enough to make his armor groan in protest but he held them gently as they broke and broke upon the early morning sun.

auraugust 2024 - standoff