Nhogai watched the girl closely out from the corner of his eye as she spoke. Her every movement was as meticulous as her words were considered. Most notably of all, there was a curious certainty within the girl's voice that, despite Nhogai's skepticism, left him with no interest in disputing her claims. That, or perhaps he simply didn't wish to so willingly discard the opportunity to hear her elaborate further.
Then came her last question.
"......."
An unfortunate curiosity, and one that would see Nhogai briefly return to a solemn silence. Though anything but calmly, his gaze seemed to relax as it removed Yura from the periphery of his vision and instead stared absently ahead. Not once had the incident ever strayed from his mind, but to have been asked something so directly by another just felt like another twist in the wound for Nhogai.
Once again, and for what felt like the longest of moments for the warrior, there was nothing other than the cries of cicadas to overtake the stillness that otherwise filled the room.
"......When crossing blades with your enemies, you do so while counting on your brothers and sisters to watch your back, the same as you do for them" he eventually explained in a neutral, albeit somewhat deflated tone. His eyes continued to focus ahead of himself as he spoke, his gaze firmly glued against the wall opposite as though he were reading from a script that had been scrawled upon it.
"I've never viewed my actions in the manner that you would ask, but if you choose to label it as such.... then yes, countless times perhaps... but...." the Xaelan trailed off, appearing briefly conflicted as to whether he should continue or not. His fists balled and tightened upon his knees as his eyes dropped toward the floor while seemingly glazing over in a moment's reminiscence. Though doing his utmost to retain the same neutral expression as before, the truth presented itself through subtle movements revealed within the corners of his both his lips and eyes
Another few seconds of silence would pass before he would instead merely shake his head dismissively, abandoning all thought of saying anything further.
"........."
After a moment, his head tilted a little more in the direction of Yura, albeit still keeping itself away from watching her directly. He seemed expectant. After all, a question like that does not simply come out of the blue.
Then came her last question.
"......."
An unfortunate curiosity, and one that would see Nhogai briefly return to a solemn silence. Though anything but calmly, his gaze seemed to relax as it removed Yura from the periphery of his vision and instead stared absently ahead. Not once had the incident ever strayed from his mind, but to have been asked something so directly by another just felt like another twist in the wound for Nhogai.
Once again, and for what felt like the longest of moments for the warrior, there was nothing other than the cries of cicadas to overtake the stillness that otherwise filled the room.
"......When crossing blades with your enemies, you do so while counting on your brothers and sisters to watch your back, the same as you do for them" he eventually explained in a neutral, albeit somewhat deflated tone. His eyes continued to focus ahead of himself as he spoke, his gaze firmly glued against the wall opposite as though he were reading from a script that had been scrawled upon it.
"I've never viewed my actions in the manner that you would ask, but if you choose to label it as such.... then yes, countless times perhaps... but...." the Xaelan trailed off, appearing briefly conflicted as to whether he should continue or not. His fists balled and tightened upon his knees as his eyes dropped toward the floor while seemingly glazing over in a moment's reminiscence. Though doing his utmost to retain the same neutral expression as before, the truth presented itself through subtle movements revealed within the corners of his both his lips and eyes
Another few seconds of silence would pass before he would instead merely shake his head dismissively, abandoning all thought of saying anything further.
"........."
After a moment, his head tilted a little more in the direction of Yura, albeit still keeping itself away from watching her directly. He seemed expectant. After all, a question like that does not simply come out of the blue.
Characters: Andre Winter (Hy'ur) / K'nahli Yohko (Miqo'te)