Who the hell cares?! If that's what has to happen to keep Eltrut or any of the other cities from being lost, then that's a damn small price to pay!
[Darin lowers himself closer to Zelda's face as he gestures sharply to the side with his right arm.]
What the hell does it even matter to you?! You barely know me! I saved your life once and for some reason you've got me painted as some...some paragon of virtue! I acted without thinking! I'm not some damn hero or champion or anything, Zelda! I'm just a blacksmith who doesn't want to see people die anymore!
[He whips around and makes for the door, but stops. he runs both hands through his hair in frustration, then whips around again.]
You want to know why I was prepared to use my own life?? Fine! When I met Dromas in Eruyeka before I got here, he wanted to prove a point. Namely, the fact that I'm supposed to be a lot more powerful than I am. And he decided to prove his point by wiping Eruyeka off the map. It's gone. The city, the people. He killed them all and used his powers to turn every building, every body into a spire. "A monument to mark the beginning of our destiny" he called it.
[He hates this. He hates recounting the events of that day. But somewhere deep in his mind, he thinks that maybe he can scare Zelda. Make her believe he's dangerous. Too much trouble. He couldn't push her away by being abrasive and cagey so maybe it's time he just tries to make her fear him.]
[He gestures wide and grans as he recounts the story, straightening up to his full height as if he were regaling her with some incredible tale or legend. And when he's done, he holds his ground; chest puffed out, hands clenched at his sides. Resolute.]
I didn't want that for Eltrut. I couldn't live with myself if that happened again. If I have to go down to make sure no one else has to suffer, Zelda, I will do it without a second thought because who the hell am I to weigh my stupid life against everyone else's? Against all of you.
[And there's the crux of it. His life isn't worth the same as anyone else's. In his eyes, it never has been. And so he'd gladly sacrifice it if it meant those more deserving got to keep theirs. Losing him would be better for everyone anyway, in the end. If he's gone, there's no prophecy.]
no subject
[Darin lowers himself closer to Zelda's face as he gestures sharply to the side with his right arm.]
What the hell does it even matter to you?! You barely know me! I saved your life once and for some reason you've got me painted as some...some paragon of virtue! I acted without thinking! I'm not some damn hero or champion or anything, Zelda! I'm just a blacksmith who doesn't want to see people die anymore!
[He whips around and makes for the door, but stops. he runs both hands through his hair in frustration, then whips around again.]
You want to know why I was prepared to use my own life?? Fine! When I met Dromas in Eruyeka before I got here, he wanted to prove a point. Namely, the fact that I'm supposed to be a lot more powerful than I am. And he decided to prove his point by wiping Eruyeka off the map. It's gone. The city, the people. He killed them all and used his powers to turn every building, every body into a spire. "A monument to mark the beginning of our destiny" he called it.
[He hates this. He hates recounting the events of that day. But somewhere deep in his mind, he thinks that maybe he can scare Zelda. Make her believe he's dangerous. Too much trouble. He couldn't push her away by being abrasive and cagey so maybe it's time he just tries to make her fear him.]
[He gestures wide and grans as he recounts the story, straightening up to his full height as if he were regaling her with some incredible tale or legend. And when he's done, he holds his ground; chest puffed out, hands clenched at his sides. Resolute.]
I didn't want that for Eltrut. I couldn't live with myself if that happened again. If I have to go down to make sure no one else has to suffer, Zelda, I will do it without a second thought because who the hell am I to weigh my stupid life against everyone else's? Against all of you.
[And there's the crux of it. His life isn't worth the same as anyone else's. In his eyes, it never has been. And so he'd gladly sacrifice it if it meant those more deserving got to keep theirs. Losing him would be better for everyone anyway, in the end. If he's gone, there's no prophecy.]