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[daemonized]

@ardyn.sky | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[verflair]

[ Ah, yes. He can tell he’s touched a nerve. Frankly, it’s remarkable that he’s gone this long without doing so. It is likely a testament to how much Ardyn lets him get away with, though X’rhun has no idea just how far that tolerance will go ere it snaps completely. ]

I have told you already. [ He spreads his hands. ] I’m right here.

[daemonized]

[X’rhun is ever the self-sacrificing sort. Throwing himself under the guillotine’s blade that is Ardyn’s anger, his frustration, the restlessness in him that’s woken itself up after being ferried from world to world to world.

He shouldn’t be surprised. In fact, the thought almost makes amusement break through the hot press of agitation living just above it. Almost.]

Ah, of course. Always so eager to offer yourself up to the altar of my anger. [Ardyn steps closer, closing the insignificant space already between them; teasing, overly dramatic, dangerous. Leaning in as if he were sharing some dark secret, his breath fans against X’rhun’s ear.]

You’ve been an outlet for my frustrations before, but what makes you think you can handle it now? Slow, languid touches might actually pull you apart nerve by nerve, now that we’ve the empathy bond to contend with. It may even bend the steel of your intrepid heart.

[verflair]

[ This is a familiar dance by now, the way Ardyn steps closer to whisper darkly in his ear. He is not entirely certain if the words that pass his lips are meant to be threatening or suggestive or both – likely both, given Ardyn’s current mood.

X’rhun has of course considered the state of their little arrangement in this new situation, has considered it especially since he received but a taste of Ardyn’s emotions, offered briefly through the press of a finger. To say nothing of how desire might set the situation spiraling, dealing with Ardyn on his own will be… a lot. But X’rhun knows that, and has resolved to endure all the same. ]

That is the thing about steel, my friend. To temper it, one must first throw it into the fire.

[daemonized]

[His breath is warm, pulsing against the other as he exhales with barely-there laughter, letting it linger for a moment too long before he straightens again.]

Then immolate yourself, X’rhun. Throw yourself into that fire and see if you can sate me. If you can dull the edges of my anger; put them to sleep until they rise again and again.

[He remembers the letter he received from the other, nigh committed to memory back in that other world. The choice of wording is purposeful:]

Your heart against what remains of mine.

[verflair]

[It took less time than he thought it would for them to begin playing cat and mouse again. X’rhun’s ear twitches as Ardyn’s laugh ghosts over it, a warm breath of air, the quick and subtle warning ere the dragon breathes its fire.

He doesn’t have to wonder at Ardyn’s choice of words. Knowing the man, the callback is intentional. Heart and steel. ]

It would not be the first calamity I have weathered, and if the vengeful fires of Bahamut did not do me in, I believe I am up to the task.