Northstar Vale No more afters or befores

She sniffed softly, half-hunched form wilting to the ground wearily. The tears had only increased the painful pressure in her head, she scrubbed them away self-consciously wondering who she was to cry in the face of a man she had supposedly abandoned. 

She could only stare in silent acceptance of his advice for what other choice did she have, really? 

Numb, dark eyes met his. 

"This is no gift," was all she could rasp weakly in protest, head drifting to rest against a pillow of grass limply. 

Neither Liri nor Olvida, then nor now, here nor there but drifting somewhere in the in between of what was left of her. 

"Okay," she whispered, something in his soft tones lending a watery sheen to her eyes anew and her eyelids squeezed shut as if she could shy from the shattering in her chest. Something within ached in response of his pain; perhaps her mind didn't recognize him but her heart did.

"It's good to meet you...again, Van,' " she murmured softly, his nickname rolling from her tongue of its own will.