Settentionale [O]
Nov 10, 2015 23:50:40 GMT -7
Post by Penitence on Nov 10, 2015 23:50:40 GMT -7
-:-
"It is not worth one of their lives, or a few, or a dozen."
Victor turned away, his right fist clenching as he tried to suppress his anger. Eventually it wasn't enough. He turned back to her sharply and in a lightning move fuelled by rage his fist thudded into the tree next to her, his fist digging deep into the flesh of the pine. He simply stood there for a moment, letting the rage bleed out of him. Or at least trying to.
When he opened his mouth to speak it was with a mocking tone he rarely used.
"You stupid girl."
He turned his head to her just enough that he could observe her face. Any more and he feared he'd be sick. He tried to speak but found himself unable, his throat seemed blocked in his anger a lump there, obstructing his attempt to berate the teenager who so often belittled him.
He turned away and swallowed heavily. As he stood, and withdrew his fist from the trunk of the tree it creaked and a healthy clump of bark and matted wood fell from the hole. Eventually he spoke, forcing words through the disbelief and anger fogging his thoughts.
"Run then, run home to our superiors, watch all that glory you hunger for slip through your fingers as they relegate you to scouting missions and patrol routes? Is that what you want? To live a life of ignominy and shame?"
He took in a harsh breath and turned back to her, the grille on his visor making his voice even harsher and colder than it would otherwise be.
"Or rather you want to go back to your mother and explain how you failed a mission because of your cowardice? Maybe you'd just tell them I forced you to flee, lie through your teeth to save your precious career."
He resisted the urge to spit, if only because it would sully the inside of his helm.
"Meanwhile, while you're saving your skin and your career two more people, hard working men who have families and friends. Will be dying, murdered and eaten by a pair of undead monstrosities."
He looked into the darkness of the forest and sighed, even now he couldn't remain angry at her. His next words were tinged with emotion even he couldn't place, but whatever it was it wasn't anger.
"I hope I've misjudged your decision, that you don't want me hurt. I hope for your sake that that that is your reasoning, your motive for insisting we flee from this threat."
He turned to her again, forcing himself to watch her as he finished speaking. His voice now simply sad.
"Because if it's not... then you're arguing we simply flee because you can't stand the thought of your own shame if I die. And that is truly despicable."