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Snow crunched under his boots as Yulaser walked through the forest. He scanned the treeline, occasionally skimming his gaze across the snow for any sign of tracks. Nothing.
It was the second day that he'd been sent out searching, two in a row, at that. He wasn't sure he saw the value in it. Sianachkit had ran, why would he still be lingering in Blackrock?
…And, even if he was, what was the point in killing him?
Don't question the job, was the only response he could think of, just get it done.
The usual.
Snow crunched. This time it wasn't him.
He perked up, glacing around to find the source of the noise. A dark silhouette, relatively far off in the distance. He could feel the snow picking up, and he knew he'd need to get closer for a good shot.
And so, get closer he did.
He leaned out from behind a tree, as close as he figured he could get without alerting the inphernal.
Slowly, he raised his gear up.
And he hesitated.
Sianachkit… They were on good terms, at least, he hoped they were. He'd known him—not well, but decently—before it all came out. When Exorspace suddenly pointed his finger and spat, accusing him of hiding his mythical status and calling for security to kill him. Sianachkit just… froze.
And Yulaser feared that he saw himself.
Both in that moment, and now.
Hiding. Constantly in fear. Constantly on edge.
He lowered his gun. He didn't even realise he had.
Sianachkit suddenly turned around, eyes wide.
He said nothing. Yulaser didn't either.
The two of them just stared at each other, silent.
The silence quickly grew sickening.
Yulaser broke it.
"We both know why I'm here."
Sianachkit stayed quiet.
He continued. "And I know that I can't."
The red inphernal's ears twitched.
Yulaser desummoned his gear, letting it fizzle out.
"It'd be hypocritical of me, really."
He paused for a while.
"I've been in your shoes." A small chuckle, "we share the same pair, really."
Another pause.
"…I'm sorry I can't help you."
Sianachkit's stare softened. He glanced away for a moment, then back.
He opened his mouth, then closed it again in hesitation.
After a pause, "…I'm sorry that you know what it's like." His voice was hoarse. Scratchy. It was strange to hear.
Yulaser stepped towards him. Sianachkit flinched, but stayed put.
He held out his hand. After a moment, Sianchkit shook it.
Yulaser flicked his tail. "Be careful out there."
"…You too."
He stepped back. Sianachkit mirrored him, beginning to turn around.
Yulaser quickly added, before he left, "I hope I'll see you again, someday."
Slowly, Sianachkit glanced over his shoulder.
"For your sake, I hope you don't."