|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 3:25 pm
In this disgusting alleyway, with his back pressed against an uncomfortable stone wall, the most wonderful woman in the world was making her way closer to him. When Honi straddled his thigh Eliazer's breath caught in his throat, but his body thankfully reacted on instinct. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as close to him as he could and letting his head fall against hers.
I'll never let you go. How could he? Even if the world were to end today he wouldn't be able to see it through without her. She didn't deserve this, any of this, but Honi was still here. He was so comfortable just being close to her that Eliazer's eyes started to fall closed and for once he didn't fight the feeling. The bounty hunter wasn't asleep, not just yet anyway, but the tension had left his body.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 7:31 pm
Honi's eyes welled up with tears of pure relief. Holding onto that uncertainty of Eli's intentions while juggling the fears of their situation for so long had worn her raw. The embrace was a balm on her frayed nerves that she clung to with all her might. In their entire miserable life at that time, at least one thing had finally turned right. She took a few long, deep breaths as she listened to Eli's heart steadily calm to a more soothing pace so that her own could follow its example. Of course, the peace couldn't last. A tense edge remained in her skin. The sounds of the fire and the locals discovering it had risen enough for them to be able to hear it echo down the back paths. She hugged herself a little tighter to Eli and let out a shaky sigh. "We can't stay here," she murmured reluctantly. The idea of parting from Eli and moving her exhausted limbs was honestly repulsive.. but it was slightly better than falling asleep there in the open with head hunters on the prowl.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:22 pm
He knew they couldn't. Of course they couldn't remain in that alleyway, with the populace so close at their heels and death around every corner. Was it so bad, then, that Eliazer wished they could? He gave a protested grumble before slowly peeling his eyelids open and blinking to clear his vision. For a moment the Geian didn't so much as move, until he reluctantly started to shift Honi so he could get his legs up. The process wasn't without pain and he gritted his teeth against all of it until eventually Eliazer was on his feet. "We shouldn't go back to the safe house. It might be watched. " It was only ever meant to be temporary anyway, but still, the loss of their safe space meant more uncertainty for the pair. "I know an inn that won't ask questions, but it's long walk from here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 6:13 pm
As stiffly as she moved to slip off and push herself up, Honi could see Eli's struggles were worse. He had taken such a beating in there. Why couldn't she have been more helpful..? Still, watching him find the will to move made it that much easier for her to do so. Her expression fell further as she read the words. Most of the meager supplies they had collected were at that safehouse. It felt like back when they had left Matori all over again. At least Eli seemed to have something in mind. An inn! She nodded with understanding and approval. If it meant a comfortable bed they could pass out in and sleep off the night's aches, she would walk as far as she could force her legs to move. But first.. She looked back the way they had come and watched the orange flicker lighting up the clouds above. Her brow quickly knit with frustration. "Eli. Did we get anything from there that could help? Was there any point to all.. all of that?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2024 9:53 am
They needed to get moving if they hoped to reach the inn before Eli decided the next crate he saw was good enough to nap in. He rolled his shoulder - or rather - tried to but when it pulled against him he stopped with a wince. Reaching up and over his back, the Geian start to rub out a knot as they walked. Her questions weren't unfounded and that's what worried him. He hadn't been able to learn nearly as much as he'd hoped and honestly, just having Kettel's body in their custody would have been a great help. If there had been a witness or a survivor, someone, who could have identified him then they would have been free...But that corpse, much like the building, was up in flames. "Maybe." Eliazer signed after a while. "Adhira might have been following us, but I think it's odd that she got there so fast. I think she killed Kettel and set a trap. With him gone it's going to be harder for us to get out." It was a depressing chain of thoughts, but not an unproductive one. "I think she's involved in this whole thing, but I don't have proof and...." Well, to that he shrugged with a huff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:09 am
Honi read silently and then dropped her eyes to the ground. Having other headhunters on their tail was bad enough, but this was Eli's boss. Adhira would have a better idea than anyone of what steps Eli might take. If she's really- no, not 'if.' Honi didn't doubt for a moment that Adhira was an active part of this mess. Though, as Eli said, there was no hard proof... for the time being, Adhira was just another headhunter putting the job before anything else. With the torn fabric still in her hand, she bundled it up to find the cleanest part and gingerly pressed it to the back of her head. She felt like crying again, but she just did not have the energy for it. After a pause, she reached out with her free hand to take Eli's to make the walk just a little more tolerable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 2:09 pm
There was no doubt in Eliazer's mind that Adhira wouldn't push through her wounds to start fresh tomorrow morning. That being said she was being watched and maybe the same agents who had kept her from dying would force her to take a few days. I can only hope. He passed an empathetic look Honi's way as she dabbed at the back of her head. If they could just have a night without something happening then he would be grateful. He kept a hand over his burns, but didn't directly touch the covered skin. Instead, Eliazer used his lasting strength to pump a little ice magic into the wound; just enough to take the edge off and to keep the cloth from sticking to it. The hand reaching for his free one wasn't surprising so much as it was welcome and he took it with a little smile. With a lean, he bumped against Honi and kissed the top of her head.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:41 pm
Honi stiffened up a bit when she felt the bump, concerned that Eli was having trouble standing. The press to the top of her head earned a soft sigh and her eyes closed to make the most of the precious contact. ..Contact that she had nearly lost forever to those monsters... Before all this, Honi'd had the impression that she was a fairly hardy individual. She knew how to hunt and could handle most wild beasts. She'd braved sticking out on a path separate from the rest of her family. She could go toe to toe with the grouchiest customer and was willing to fight back against anyone who might think her an easy target. Suddenly, the troubles of that world seemed distant and insignificant. She had fallen into a pool far darker and deeper than she could have ever even begun to imagine. It had shocked her to her core, and she was still desperately trying to keep from sinking further. Honi was drowning.. but it was time to learn how to swim again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2024 6:48 pm
Eliazer had never once stopped to think about how truly terrible his career path could go until meeting Honi. His mother had tried desperately to pave the way for a better future for him, but that hadn't stopped Eli from going off the rails. Maybe it was his father's influence, maybe it was his friend's, or maybe the pull was just too strong. One day they would get this resolved and when they did he wanted Honi to teach him how to throw clay. Maybe he could invite her to dinner with his mother, or hell even have his mother meet hers. Wouldn't that be something? Every day was a little harder than the last and the moments when he wanted to give in were just getting stronger. Rage bubbled in his gut, but when he looked at her it shifted. Checking down the street for anyone watching, Eliazer gave Honi's hand a little tug and kept walking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2024 8:12 pm
She couldn't help one last glance over her shoulder at the reflection of the fire in the sky and along the plume of smoke. Considering how decrepit that place was, the fire was likely reaching its peak. Soon, there would simply be nothing left to burn... As much as loss it was for all the evidence within to just turn to ashes, there was a small part of her that was also just glad that it was behind them for now. Somehow, the pair actually reached the inn. She was barely conscious of what was going on around her by that point though. The room... didn't look great. It was a sight better than a grungy alley though. For her though, it didn't matter that the bed sheets looked like they needed a wash. She shuffled toward it without hesitation, and passed out as she fell onto the squeaky mattress when her shins hit the side. They were safe... for now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
