Ocean's Breath Plateau look ahead, look-astern

the praise settles strangely upon atausiq; like a crown of iron thorns ...that he's never wanted. he'd not been a fighter, favoring seclusion and running away from his problems. that was why he was out here in the first place. the praise almost sounds wrong — as if this violence that rises like a spark following a kerosene trail should not be encouraged. atausiq has himself convinced he should put out but try as he might to snuff out the spark it persists; burning what he attempts to block it with to ash.

attempts to stifle it before it can fully ignite are in vain; interrupted as the stranger lunges for him again. trying to manipulate him into submitting, into leaving him be had clearly not been the best choice. atausiq sees now, as the pirate's teeth make contact with his cheek, splicing the flesh that it was futile. atausiq recoils from the pain smarting, stinging.

instinct screams at him to push back and he attempts to push the stranger back with a thrust of his shoulder and snaps his teeth at whatever part of his face he could reach in retribution; blindly. blood for blood.