[Some part of Fai wants to argue. What's the point in getting himself cleaned up and presentable if he's doomed anyway? He's wandered around this city for the better part of the day now and there's still been no sign of any of the others. He can't live without Kurogane--in a very real, literal sense, and never mind the panicked twist in his stomach at the thought. He can't live without blood, not for long anyway, and it has to be Kurogane. But the ninja doesn't appear to be here, or he's so far away that it might as well be the same thing.
But he's scaring the locals. He's tired and emotionally exhausted and covered in blood. Maybe getting cleaned up isn't such a bad idea after all.
The offer of 'a hand' doesn't immediately stir anything painful in him. It's just an expression. Fai nods, smiling at the man, and he's just opening his mouth to make a proper reply when the second part of that offer comes out.
Fai blinks.
It's probably meant to be funny, or charming, or something, but Fai goes still and silent. Cold.
It's just a joke.
It's just a joke, he can't know--
--can't know that all this blood--
--Kurogane--
--to save me, why did you do that, you idiot? Why did you have to try to save me? I didn't want this for you, I wanted you safe, not bleeding to death somewhere I can't reach you--
A sob breaks loose and Fai claps his hand back to his mouth to stifle it. It's about the only damage control he can muster, though; the strength in his legs gives out and he collapses to the cobblestones, weeping and terrified.]
OH NO HE DIDN'T
But he's scaring the locals. He's tired and emotionally exhausted and covered in blood. Maybe getting cleaned up isn't such a bad idea after all.
The offer of 'a hand' doesn't immediately stir anything painful in him. It's just an expression. Fai nods, smiling at the man, and he's just opening his mouth to make a proper reply when the second part of that offer comes out.
Fai blinks.
It's probably meant to be funny, or charming, or something, but Fai goes still and silent. Cold.
It's just a joke.
It's just a joke, he can't know--
--can't know that all this blood--
--Kurogane--
--to save me, why did you do that, you idiot? Why did you have to try to save me? I didn't want this for you, I wanted you safe, not bleeding to death somewhere I can't reach you--
A sob breaks loose and Fai claps his hand back to his mouth to stifle it. It's about the only damage control he can muster, though; the strength in his legs gives out and he collapses to the cobblestones, weeping and terrified.]