One Less Problem [Execution] [Open]

S'kef emerged from the cold, vision blurry after what had been an unscomfortably long ride. Had it actually been longer than usual, or was he just paranoid? Some deep part of him half-expected T'shiro to try and drag him along after him, or perhaps to simply fall over the edge and vanish for no reason. Was it guilt?

Why shouldn't it be? T'shiro was innocent of everything except being insufferable. This was the sort of thing S'kef had never batted an eyelash at in theory, but as Tyrrisath slipped into the darkness, he found himself wondering for a split second if he actually had the guts to do it. S'kef had made his reputation and his career on being willing to do what others would not, on having no fear even when a sensible person had every reason to give pause. Was he still willing now, willing to go farther than he ever had before?

The flash of doubt was all it took to push him to rage. He imaged that he scowled, but it was so dark and cold that he has hardly sure that he was doing anything, or if he even existed. He'd pushed T'shiro off, right? Yes...he had. He and Tyrrisath were alone, and by the time they returned to the world of light, his anger had passed.

He opened his eyes and looked out across the crowd, still perched comfortably on Tyrrisath's neck. The dragon snorted, watching apprehensively as Crucluith burst out into his keening. As much as Tyrrisath supported his rider, he too felt the sting of lost kinship. S'kef dismounted and left Tyrrisath the join the chorus, walking towards the crowd and looking over them. In that moment, S'kef felt comfortable, and more legitimized than he ever had before...even if that moment made him dangerously vulnerable. He smiled subtly, but he dared not try to speak above the voices of the mourning dragons. Flit came to his shoulder and chirped sadly, confused as to how her bonded could be so happy and so relieved when something so terrible had just happened. He slowly lifted one hand and gave her a single slow caress.

"Everything is just fine now," he said distinct pleasure. He glanced towards Tsuen and, almost as if he'd forgotten they were in public, gave he woman a most wicked grin.

Maybe next time.

He watched as the crowd started to disperse. Pleased, he too turned to take his leave, but he didn't make it far before a dissenting voice caught his ear, almost drowned out by the crowd. He turned to see Emalore rudely clawing her way past a Brownrider C'vir, a look of indignation on the bluerider's face.

"You monster! she snarled at S'kef, standing stubbornly a few paces away from her. Ground Uhoroth S'kef silently ordered his dragon before taking a lazy step away. The nearby brownrider...he would do. "Will you please remove this girl from my presence? I suppose the heat is getting to the poor dear," he said, feigning concern with a sad frown and then walking away.

He needed to rest, and to think. Behind him, Tyrrisath turned his red eyes on Nirinath and finally replied to the sad words she's spoken earlier. If you are to apologize to anyone, apologize to Ronarth he said with only the barest respect before unfurling his wings and taking off.