(No it's clear. All of it's clear and cutting, the insistence with which Xu Shu's dragged him downward, the way he grasps toward words with shuddered breaths - difficult, it's difficult for the man to speak and still he captures the words, meaning they matter, meaning Xu Shu believes they hold reason - the way he... may have muddled a word, a name (or it was no mistake), but his final words ring clear.)
'Don't kill.'
(And he's right, isn't he? Some part of Daud flinches internally at the phrase, realizing it may be apt. Realizing it might be something that he needs to hear, because yes this is for Xu Shu, this is for Cassandra, this is for everyone who means a fucking thing to him, but he's been barreling forward without letting himself think too far. But maybe there's something he's missing; maybe Xu Shu holds information Daud hasn't had access to. Maybe there's another way here. And maybe Daud's fallen back into old habits too readily.
It's a thought he doesn't care for. It's a thought that sparks a deep enough chill to pause his hand, keeping him from striking out at Mitsuhide.)
He's free of Xu Shu's grasp now, telling himself that the boy's still alive, that there's still time to preserve him though he's lost a lot of blood, is losing a lot of blood, and what was it the bastard did, because this isn't natural and ('the curse it still upon him') Daud can only guess at the magic Mitsuhide possesses or what might be at work here but it's wrong, Daud knows wounds and the amount of blood here is wrong.
He wants to kill the bastard.
But if there is something at work.
But given Xu Shu's behests.
Given the uncommon openness in the man's words.
One arm wrapped around Xu Shu, Daud grabs his blade with his free hand, levels it at Mitsuhide (who is, it's true, acting strange; who's compulsion seems to have shifted directions, and wherein the fuck had that mask come from?). ]
no subject
What is he doing.
What did he say.
(No it's clear. All of it's clear and cutting, the insistence with which Xu Shu's dragged him downward, the way he grasps toward words with shuddered breaths - difficult, it's difficult for the man to speak and still he captures the words, meaning they matter, meaning Xu Shu believes they hold reason - the way he... may have muddled a word, a name (or it was no mistake), but his final words ring clear.)
'Don't kill.'
(And he's right, isn't he? Some part of Daud flinches internally at the phrase, realizing it may be apt. Realizing it might be something that he needs to hear, because yes this is for Xu Shu, this is for Cassandra, this is for everyone who means a fucking thing to him, but he's been barreling forward without letting himself think too far. But maybe there's something he's missing; maybe Xu Shu holds information Daud hasn't had access to. Maybe there's another way here. And maybe Daud's fallen back into old habits too readily.
It's a thought he doesn't care for. It's a thought that sparks a deep enough chill to pause his hand, keeping him from striking out at Mitsuhide.)
He's free of Xu Shu's grasp now, telling himself that the boy's still alive, that there's still time to preserve him though he's lost a lot of blood, is losing a lot of blood, and what was it the bastard did, because this isn't natural and ('the curse it still upon him') Daud can only guess at the magic Mitsuhide possesses or what might be at work here but it's wrong, Daud knows wounds and the amount of blood here is wrong.
He wants to kill the bastard.
But if there is something at work.
But given Xu Shu's behests.
Given the uncommon openness in the man's words.
One arm wrapped around Xu Shu, Daud grabs his blade with his free hand, levels it at Mitsuhide (who is, it's true, acting strange; who's compulsion seems to have shifted directions, and wherein the fuck had that mask come from?). ]
You're going to explain yourself.
Quickly.