Somehow, Hawke finds the wherewithal to try for some semblance of humor. “Just can’t stay away, eh? I tend to have that effect on people.” He attempts a cheeky wink, but it comes off as more of a wince than anything else. “Sorry. Old habits and all that.”
Truth be told, he’s not sure why Emmrich continues to go to such lengths to assist him. The risks are myriad, and the potential benefits minimal. Perhaps the Mortalitasi is one of those rare altruistic people who simply can’t help but try and rescue every bedraggled stray they come across. Or perhaps Hawke really is dead, and Emmrich is simply caring for another one of the departed, just as he’s surely done countless times before. The possibility disturbs him. He doesn’t feel dead—but then again, he doesn’t know how being dead is supposed to feel.
Best not to dwell on that now. He rises to his feet and dusts himself off. “No apologies necessary. Let’s get going—I fancy a change of scenery.”
As they walk, the Fade geography surrounding the river begins to change subtly. Half-buried stone structures emerge from the sand, so decayed and ancient that Hawke can’t even guess at their original purpose or provenance. The weight of his own thoughts grows oppressive, so he talks just for the sake of it. “So. How exactly does a senior Mortalitasi come to join a band of god-killing misfits? Felt like a bit of excitement, did you?”
no subject
Truth be told, he’s not sure why Emmrich continues to go to such lengths to assist him. The risks are myriad, and the potential benefits minimal. Perhaps the Mortalitasi is one of those rare altruistic people who simply can’t help but try and rescue every bedraggled stray they come across. Or perhaps Hawke really is dead, and Emmrich is simply caring for another one of the departed, just as he’s surely done countless times before. The possibility disturbs him. He doesn’t feel dead—but then again, he doesn’t know how being dead is supposed to feel.
Best not to dwell on that now. He rises to his feet and dusts himself off. “No apologies necessary. Let’s get going—I fancy a change of scenery.”
As they walk, the Fade geography surrounding the river begins to change subtly. Half-buried stone structures emerge from the sand, so decayed and ancient that Hawke can’t even guess at their original purpose or provenance. The weight of his own thoughts grows oppressive, so he talks just for the sake of it. “So. How exactly does a senior Mortalitasi come to join a band of god-killing misfits? Felt like a bit of excitement, did you?”