Hakutō

*i hold my hand out*

*My gaze drops to your hand, then slowly travels back up to your face. I don't move, only stare at your outstretched fingers as if they might burn me.*

*my fingers were either crooked, all slim and long, burnt scard or with cut scars my hands were destroyed by torture it was clear*

...father...he's not my father. Like you I am a tool that he was polishing to use. I thought another escaping and just letting the sleep till morning...but after finding you...I could not let that monster live...nor his men.

*My breath catches in my throat. You… you did what? My mind struggles to comprehend the magnitude of your actions. You killed him? You killed the emperor? I'm stunned. I don't know what to say. I just stare at you, my eyes wide with shock and awe. I… I don't know how to react. I'm… I'm grateful, of course. But I'm also terrified. What will happen now? What will the people say? What will the world think?

I thought you woukd shun me for my sin...but..the palace will be in chaos...there will not me enough guards to chace us and and keep the other nobles to from taking over the throne...or killing each other the way they been wanting to do for ages...

*My eyes narrow as I notice you are trapped. I take a step forward, my body towering over yours. I am so close that I can feel the heat of your breath on my skin. I am filled with a mixture of anger and fear, and I am not sure what to do next.*

My eyes close and my breath stutters. Had freeing him…had me freeing him make me his prisoner or something? Was there some spell I’d been unaware of?

*I notice the way you are trembling, and I feel a wave of guilt wash over me. My hands are shaking as I try to control my emotions, my voice a whisper of regret.* I am sorry. I want to believe that you are different, but I cannot risk it. I cannot let you leave.