Caught in the Middle

"[THREAD TITLE]" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread started on [IRL DATE] and finished on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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== Full Text==
Warden: He was one of the very last people she wished to see…so, naturally, she made it became so. Nalaagura did not approach Stonegit until she had spoken with a few of the rebels and had copious amounts of time to wander and think by herself, and to keep. However painful it was to approach Haddock, she knew it would be ten times that to speak to dark-eyes.
So really, it was a complete accident–or perhaps fate–that she came across him while coming back from another round guarding the camp, passing through minds and checking for familiarity. Oops. She quickly tried to back out before he recognized her.
Stonegit: “Woodchuck….” Stonegit said quietly, stopping here he stood. His voice was soft, and cautious.
Warden: The single word made her pause and the Warden froze in place as well, her tall porcelain form stopping on the outskirts of the camp. She squeezed her eyes shut and slowly crept back into his mind, almost shaking with apprehension. …Dark-eyes.
Stonegit: Stonegit drew a shaky breath as he watched her, his eyes darting slightly as he tried to formulate words. His eyes squinted and then he placed the heel of his palm into his lazy eye, and one, tiny, stifled sob escaped his lips as his already altered vision blurred further.
Warden: Something cracked right down to her core and she shook her head slowly, wanting to run forward and embrace him, but still too terrified of him to move. S-stonegit, she choked, I…I…
Stonegit: “I can’t…” Stonegit managed to say, allowing his hand to cover both of his eyes. “I just can’t…” he dropped his hand to look at her again. “I can’t say anything to you…because I can’t put you through that. How could I say anything that wouldn’t somehow be laced with anger or disappointment? How could I say anything that could accidentally elude that I have bitterness in my heart towards you? After I was just recently forgiven by someone who had no reason to give me such a chance? I could I say anything that would hurt you in the same way I have been hurt so, many, times…?” he coughed once and sniffed, trying to keep himself together.
“What can I say Woodchuck? You are so…so sorry and I can tell, and it hurts so much to feel that way that I can’t bear the thought of putting someone else through that…again…we’ve done this before. You are so sorry, and I am so…jealous and…and sad. But what else could I say Woodchuck?” Stonegit shook his head. “Nothing…I can’t say anything…” he gritted his teeth, tears welling in his eyes. “Because I just don’t want to hurt you!” 
Warden: It was everything she had expected him to say and nothing like what she had imagined at all, at the same time. She fell to one knee, quivering.
N-n-nor I you, she attempted to whisper, staring despondently at the ground. I was…just so scared…and angry…I should n-not have let him…get in the way…get in between this… Her head dipped lower. You should…be allowed to be angry with me. My feelings have…no place in this. She wanted him to yell. She wanted him to yell at her. It would hurt less.
Stonegit: “You…did it because you thought I was dead…” Stonegit said slowly. “You thought he caused it.” he rubbed his face. “Haddock he…he hasn’t wronged me since Orskaf had me…” he trailed off, letting the sentence drop, and then gave a small humorless laugh. “I just…I just want to know why Woodchuck. I know why you attacked him but…why, if I meant so much to you then why did you torment us after our time together. Why did you just hop to Greg and gallivant around in him without even coming to see m-…” he licked his lips. “When I told you to leave…I never wanted it to be for so long. But why was it so easy to just…move on…from me…?”     
Warden: I tried!!
Was it possible for her to feel much more pain than she already did?
I tried to come back! I would have! I was doing my job for Hel, and then I caught wind of the rebels being trapped, I went to go rescue them–and–the chief forced us into the north, it took so long to get back…I…I missed you every step of the way…but… She fought back tears. I thought that I was no longer needed…and being around the king would have–I–I knew I would have made things worse for you, I knew that if I hovered…I would never leave. It’s not good for me to be with you so much, keeping you from being independent. 
It wasn’t easy, dark-eyes, please believe me. It wasn’t easy to leave, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done…and I haven’t moved on. I…I do not think I ever will. Physically, I may, but not in spirit.
Stonegit: “But…” Stonegit searched for words. “But you’ve had so many vessels, and I know I’m not one of a kind, I saw your interactions, you and Greg, you truly became close friends with him. But…but I should have realized this before. Nala…you’re so old. Me, Greg, the rebels our lives are so, so short compared to yours it makes no sense that you would bother to befriend any of us.” his shoulders sagged. “Why would you act so far from your instincts? You did a lot for me…but what could I possibly do for you that wouldn’t just leave you with more pain in the end? How many vessels, how many friends, have you had to leave behind?”  
Warden: She got up and moved forward, carefully taking his hands in her trembling ones. I know…I know what you mean. She let out a soft sob, clenching his fingers a bit tighter, but still gentle in her movements. Deities, I wish it had never come to us…needing to speak about this. Stonegit, you are not the first vessel I have had emotions for, the desire to protect. But you are the first one where I have not done something to end them or prevent me from feeling them. And here her thoughts turned dark as she remembered how she had treated her previous vessels before being trapped by High Central. You are one of a kind, she resumed, staring into his eyes. Please do not demote your worth to me. That is the last thing I want you to feel…
A long, slow breath. You have changed me. You will not be around forever, but that change will. Had I not…been stopped…I could very well have been feuding with the rebels’ distant descendants. Nala glanced up at him, eyes curving in a smile. Nine hundred years and you’re the first human that wouldn’t shun a demon. And it’s all been for the better. She carefully reached out towards his mind, touching it tentatively in an attempt to convince him further. No matter who I may meet, I will still love you as I always have, dark-eyes.
Stonegit: Stonegit gently let his hand fall over Nala’s wrist, and then he leaned into her, putting his arms around her. “No…” he whispered. “I did shun you at first…you were the one that showed me you could change. …And now you have.” he drew a breath. “It’ll be hard to look at Haddock…like this, at this time. But…” he reflected on Haddock’s past words. “He’s a different man now, so much has changed for the better…that I am certain that this too will pass. Just…” he tightened his arms. “Don’t blame me for being distant at first…”
Warden: I won’t, she promised, stroking the back of his head. I won’t. I do not blame you in the slightest. Take whatever time you need. I will remain guarding the camp. I will not leave until these battles are fought and over with.
Stonegit: “Then I guess as soon as I’m ready…” Stonegit said, gently, taking a step back. “You’ll be right here…”
Warden: Yes. She let her hands rest on his for a moment longer before letting him go. I’ll always be around, dark-eyes. You need only call for me.
Category:BOTGD
Category:Events
Category:Season 5
Category:The Warden
Category:Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss