Faith's Edge RP

Colin saw the wince and froze. The last didn't show any sign of pain. He retracted the claw and retreated another step, pulling his arm out of Fang's grip. "F-Fang. I . . . I thought--" His hand went to his chest, the aching pain still pounding away just below the skin. Colin looked away, gritting his teeth.

Fang moved towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder, "What's wrong with you, Colin?"

"I don't know. I keep seeing things." He met Fang's eyes. Colin looked different. He looked cold and reclusive - an attempt to hide the terror and panic that flooded his mind. "I'll get through it. I probably just need sleep or something."

Fang was at unease with his sudden change of character, "We should really talk about this, Colin, it seems deadly."

"I'll be fine, Fang," he insisted coldly. "I can deal with it on my own, alright?" He didn't mean to sound so harsh, and he wasn't being fair to Fang, he knew that. He doesn't understand. I need to do this on my own. I'll never get stronger if I don't.

Fang frowned, crossing his arms, "If that's what you want, then fine." he said, heading back towards Faith's Edge.

Colin watched him go and closed his eyes, angry and frustrated with himself. He opened his mouth to call him back. The pit of his stomach ached knowing that he hurt Fang. Colin shut it again and sunk to his knees by the stream. A tear leaked unbeckoned from his eye and mixed with the river water.

"What am I going to do with you, Colin?" Fang sighed, saddened but headed back home. If Colin wanted to be alone, he had to respect his wishes.

A sudden wave of anger burned Colin's blood. He roared, raining fire down on the stream. Steam rose like smoke all around him, singing his skin but he barely noticed. "I'm the biggest idiot in the world," he stated, burying his face in his hands. He looked over his shoulder, praying that Fang would reappear and they could start over. "Please," he whispered, searching for any sign of him.

(( D; sadness))

But Fang didn't reappear, he was back at Faith's Edge, looking around for the others, releasing a tired sigh.

(I'm seriously bummed about this. =p)

Colin didn't know how long he sat there by the stream. It could've been minutes or hours. He didn't think, move, or speak. He watched the stream gurgle and bubble passed. His eyes flicked to a floating leaf and followed its path until it disappeared from view.
Finally, he stirred. His legs and arms were stiff and achy from being stuck in one position for so long. He unfolded himself and headed back towards Faith's Edge, hands in his pockets and head drooped low between his thin shoulders. His chest contained a different kind of pain now - a hollow, festering ache that he had brought on himself.

"Oh, they you are." Fang said as he saw Balthasar talking to Zana just outside of Faith's Edge.
Zana smiled up at him, happily, "Balthasar said I could stay!"
"She seems to be very talented." Balthasar nodded, "Also, I think she'll be a great addition."
"Of course she is." Fang smiled, still a bit upset about Colin.

"Where's Colin?" Devon asked, hearing Fang. "He OK?"

Colin wandered aimlessly, keeping his head low and eyes down. He didn't want to see anyone, afraid he'd hurt them, too.

"He's . . . being difficult." Fang put simply, "He's in a strange mood." He didn't want to upset Zana though who was looking up at him.

"Ah. He seems to get that way sometimes." Devon got the picture. He'd hear more about it later no doubt.

"I wanna see Colin!" Zana looked at the two, wide eyed.
"He's busy right now." Fang tried to explain.
"I don't care!"

Chloe walked around Faith's Edge, helping out with reconstruction while Devon took Zana to meet Balthasar. She took a breather, wiping beads of sweat from her forehead.

Devon touched Fang's shoulder. "I'll take her, if you want."

Colin looked up, spotting Chloe almost immediately. He hesitated. She'd notice right away something was wrong if she saw. He started backing away, trying to make as small of a scene as possible.

"Alright." Fang nodded, kneeling down in front of Zana, "why don't you go with Devon?"
She brightened up and nodded, "Okay!"

Chloe looked over at the retreating Colin, "Hey, there you are." she said, moving towards him.

"Come on! You can be my eyes." He took Zana's hand and started off.

"Crap," Colin muttered under his breath and turned. He forced a smile. "Hey. Working hard, I see."

"Okay!" Zana said happily, skipping alongside him.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, "Yeah. But I just wanted to make sure you're okay. You acted weird back there." she said, crossing her arms.

Devon chuckled. "So, what's your story, kid?"

"Uh, yeah, sorry about that. Thought I saw something. Turned out it was nothing." He flashed another smile. I suck at this whole lying thing, he thought grimly.

"I'm from a small village a few days travel from here." she said, looking up at him, "My parents died a few years ago and I've been traveling ever since, until I met you guys." she smiled.

"Uh-huh." she said slowly, "I have a feeling you're hiding something from me."

"You're young to be traveling on your own like that. How old are you? 11? 12?"

"Wha - no I'm not!" he stuttered defensively.

"Ten." she corrected, "And I know, but I had nowhere else to go." she said quietly.

"Sure," Chloe rolled her eyes, "If you don't want to talk about it, I won't force it out of you."

"I'm sorry." He squeezed her hand. "But you don't have to wander anymore."

He hesitated and looked away. "Have you seen Fang?" he asked finally, still unable to meet her eyes.