Arrow Lake Start all over

in both appearance and personality, kazimir had always been rather foreign to stigmata. their relationship had started tenuously at best, but now he could only find within himself a deep, dark wish that he'd been there himself to stand between kazimir and her unfortunate fate. he loved her fiercely, almost especially because she'd been so fearlessly reckless for diaspora, and it pained him to think she might not be changed for the worse at their expense.

the corners of his mouth twitched at her jest, and he had to resolve not to laugh, so that he could talk to her seriously. "you did what you thought was right at the time. no use in dwelling on it in that light," the steely general huffed, perhaps a little wary of (read: uncomfortable with) being drawn into emotional retrospect. "three legs are better than dead legs, after all."

his mind traveled briefly to the three-legged liri, who had adjusted well enough in her state to become a leader of sorts. he hadn't respected her, largely due to her handicap, but he was open-minded as far as kazimir was concerned. for even if she could not hunt, she could still guard the young; and her muzzle still worked, so no one wold be at a loss for company. things could get a little dicey come winter... but when had the snow season ever been particularly kind to them?

"you might do well as a healer, if you care for the practice at all," he thought aloud, knowing full well that if anyone asked him to be a healer, he'd politely advise them to fuck off. he didn't understand how mahler could do it.