Having been stolen away to the shade's respite, a more natural colour had just barely begun to return to the girl's face in the time that K'rahto had made preparations to create fire anew - her feverish hue instead seemingly leeching on to it's nearest victim as he fulfilled his familial obligations to the girl, while in turn violating those of the 'Tia'. Even as he collected her weary frame in his arms for a second time to support her, the girl had not stirred; deep in a coma-like state she had all but seemed, her breathing still heavy and brow carrying a faint though noticeable glisten. Her boots and gloves both were to be removed without incident, unaided; their empty shells handled almost too carefully when placed to dry in the company of a fire that dared not crackle and stir beneath the unusually heavy atmosphere. Had he played to an audience, none would doubt that the Tia reacted as one whom could not bide his time enough in his endeavours. Though the inevitable step had come, and so too had his fingers come to reluctantly intertwine with the final lace that shielded the girl from indecency. He was alone, completely alone in that moment of disarray and uncertainty as her clothing's tying was slowly undone to but a loose hold, with little else but the weight of the fabric itself to loyally steel and hold it's ground in defence of the girl's honour - the right flank that was her shoulder strap having already fallen in defeat to mere gravity. An uncommonly soft hold eventually greeted her either arm, collecting the edges of her top in a fingertip grip to prepare to complete the final step and cross a barrier that was not meant to be crossed.... when a soft murmur would shatter the steel-like focus that had forged within those molten gems of amber.
"...nn...?"
When heavy lids and lifting darkness would give way sight once more, a weak infusion of crimson would arise to meet with the depths of the forge, sealing the pair tightly into a situation that, to both, no doubt defied mere explanation.
"...K'rahto...?" her voice would arrive with a fragility that betrayed a near-complete absence of strength. Her eyes fluttered helplessly as fatigue valiantly sought to steal her back to the darkness once more, and though failing, managing to at least rob the girl of her senses; her awareness of the moment and unusual closeness of the Tia in that very instant.
"......why have we stopped?"
"...nn...?"
When heavy lids and lifting darkness would give way sight once more, a weak infusion of crimson would arise to meet with the depths of the forge, sealing the pair tightly into a situation that, to both, no doubt defied mere explanation.
"...K'rahto...?" her voice would arrive with a fragility that betrayed a near-complete absence of strength. Her eyes fluttered helplessly as fatigue valiantly sought to steal her back to the darkness once more, and though failing, managing to at least rob the girl of her senses; her awareness of the moment and unusual closeness of the Tia in that very instant.
"......why have we stopped?"
![[Image: ecec20e41f.png]](https://puu.sh/xvMxb/ecec20e41f.png)
Characters: Andre Winter (Hy'ur) / K'nahli Yohko (Miqo'te)
