Bye Bye Bye [Damien]

[Arianna Barrial]

Arianna knew that - while Damien spoke the truth - he was trying to assuage her worry. It worked but at the same time it didn't.

Pale honey eyes veered down to his hands as he extended them in offering, and for a moment she didn't move, until she did. Who knew if or when she'd see him again, and she certainly didn't trust the staff at Pier Fourteen, now, though she was aware at the same time there were still some good folk as part of the lot. They weren't together, but, Arianna would kick herself countlessly if she did nothing and it wound up she never saw him again.

A look of mixed emotions came over her face at his offer, from curiosity to a brief flicker of hope, and then concern and a wariness that went hand-in-hand with weariness.

"Damien... I can't answer that right now. What do you suppose Cabal and the Gods would do if I disappeared?" She gave a brief squeeze, "And I'd have to get Abel from the God Territory, and then make it all the way to territory two, not to mention the fact that...Cabal needs me, as well. I've grown fond of those there...and there's the War hovering n the horizon."

She swallowed.

"But I won't outright say no, either."

[Damien Blaze]

He listened intently, then gave a gentle smile and a nod.

"Well, that's alright. If you can't come now...we may have to postpone. I can't guarantee your safety otherwise."

He'd slowly release her hands and lean back with a sigh.

"I suppose, then, this will be it for us. Until next time, anyway."

[Arianna Barrial]

Arianna's hands remained on the table where Damien released them...for many long moments, then they slowly and almost unwillingly retracted. They were deposited on her lap, and the blonde averted her eyes, not wanting to move, though she knew their time would be cut short soon enough as it was. The knot in her stomach and in her throat tightened.

Reflexively, her hands clenched and relaxed a few times, but that didn't help her to speak.

Until next time...might not even happen. She wouldn't be delusional about that fact.

[Damien Blaze]

The door opened, and the former guard came in.

"Prisoner 24601, lets go."

Damien would slowly stand.

"I have to go now, Arianna. Please, please be safe."

[Arianna Barrial]

It took her a few moments, as though she was suddenly stuck in molasses, but all at once she seemed to be able to move and stood. The chair scraped in protest against the floor and then clattered as the feet found all four against the floor again. A hug. Darnit, she could have that much, at least. It didn't make things easier or even better, but perhaps the understanding was a start.

Maybe.

Either way her mind wasn't on that, and she was far away from caring for prison protocols.

One, two, three steps later found Arianna flinging her arms around him in a crushing hug, her head ducking down with the sudden onslaught and upheaval of emotion that resulted in the sting and spill of hidden tears.

Well, he didn't have the jumpsuit on all the way, so she wasn't staining the shirt?

[Damien Blaze]

Damien's eyes widened slightly and he caught her, wrapping her up in his arms as the guards rushed forward, shouting to get off him. For the moment, though....just the moment, he felt free. He'd whisper in her ear.

"I love you, Arianna."

Then, they pulled him off, turning him around roughly and dragging him away.

Back to the cell.

[Arianna Barrial]

Screw them.

Arianna's arms banded tighter, as though holding on for dear life as her shoulders shook, and then squeezed harder still at his words. It wasn't something she could say in turn, but the problem was she still did love him. Perhaps that was wholly why she was also so angry and upset over the whole thing. Arianna hiccupped as they finally peeled her off him, and even though she wanted to screech at them she sniffed and rubbed her palms against her cheeks, and back, away from her eyes.

"Stay alive."

There was going to be hell to pay, if he died. Or if she found out they beat him more.

And they would.

Her heart broke again and it was hard to stand there, harder to turn away, but if she didn't she'd have an even harder time keeping it together.

Gods, this had to be hard, didn't it?

[Damien Blaze]

He'd grin and wink as they dragged him back.

"For you, babe? Always."

And he was gone.

/end thread