p id="docs-internal-guid-d1e34332-a3a1-5949-b4b9-e55612ea8ae0" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Krogan's head spun. Round and round. He had no idea how long he laid there, limp against the ice cold floor, for he held no strict concept of time, only that every moment was another second of agony waking through his head. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"His eyelids shifted after a while, gauzy voices stringing through his mind like cobbled sand, barely rippling through his fingers except to waver and spin like the ebbing of a leaf on the glassy surface of a still lake. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Krogan," the Voice called again. It was solidifying that he was no longer on stone. His thin, frail body was no longer pressed against the chill of ice. But now, warmth had semi left his body smothered in heat, trailing up from where his spine jutted from his flesh./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Mnnn…" he vocal chords screamed at him, as the… blankets… around him shifted, were fluffed and carefully prodded into a more comfortable position for him. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Krogan, come on, wake up." Fingers gently stroked his face. His jaw went slack in the loose grip, however as he shifted into a tighter ball, he felt himself beginning to feel sick to his stomach. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No…" he trailed off, before he slowly peeled his eyes open anyways, to an empty void of a world. Glazed cataracts had formed over his pupils, stretched veins of deceit deep into his irises, so that they no longer shone with the brilliance they once held. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Two, dull gray moonstones, rimmed with pink from eyes irritated by the fumes of chemicals. From eyes that had been destroyed with acidic drops of furtive compounds. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You must eat." The Voice returned, quietly cupping his chin. "You are safe now, my dear." At the end of the sentence, the man's voice shivered painfully. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I will not let him hurt you again." Viggo. That was Viggo. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I… am dead." Krogan rasped. His eyes blossomed with tears. He had finally passed on. He had finally died. His body had finally given out on him, and he was back where he belonged at Viggo's side. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No." Viggo said quietly. "But you are safe now." Gently, Viggo's hand brushed away the soft curls on Krogan's head, that now went past his nose, having been wild and unkempt for the longest time, only occasionally having been ran through to keep it from turning to mats. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Slowly, Krogan lifted his head, his adam's apple bobbing. He took in a deep breath, taking in Viggo's scent, loving the scent of it as it washed over his nose once more. Bringing back brief flashes of happiness. Of light. The dust swirling in motes of sunlight, and Viggo's half smile- his smiles. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Carefully, Krogan lifted his bony hand to brush against Viggo's fingers, fingers shaking brutally. He was so… weak. So tired, and so hungry. It just made him want to pass out… not wake up. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"His eyes were too weak to eek out even a silhouette of Viggo, let alone his face. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Do not strain yourself." Viggo chided. Gently, a spoon, with warm broth is poked into his mouth. The distinct flavor has Viggo Grimborn written all over it; burnt, but it was warm, and filled his stomach perfectly. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Am I home?" He asked softly. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yes, Krogan, we're home." Viggo replied. "You're safe." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Viggo's hand ruffled his hair. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Krogan closed his eyes, humming in contentment. This was all he needed. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"His eyelids shifted after a while, gauzy voices stringing through his mind like cobbled sand, barely rippling through his fingers except to waver and spin like the ebbing of a leaf on the glassy surface of a still lake. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Krogan," the Voice called again. It was solidifying that he was no longer on stone. His thin, frail body was no longer pressed against the chill of ice. But now, warmth had semi left his body smothered in heat, trailing up from where his spine jutted from his flesh./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Mnnn…" he vocal chords screamed at him, as the… blankets… around him shifted, were fluffed and carefully prodded into a more comfortable position for him. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Krogan, come on, wake up." Fingers gently stroked his face. His jaw went slack in the loose grip, however as he shifted into a tighter ball, he felt himself beginning to feel sick to his stomach. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No…" he trailed off, before he slowly peeled his eyes open anyways, to an empty void of a world. Glazed cataracts had formed over his pupils, stretched veins of deceit deep into his irises, so that they no longer shone with the brilliance they once held. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Two, dull gray moonstones, rimmed with pink from eyes irritated by the fumes of chemicals. From eyes that had been destroyed with acidic drops of furtive compounds. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You must eat." The Voice returned, quietly cupping his chin. "You are safe now, my dear." At the end of the sentence, the man's voice shivered painfully. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I will not let him hurt you again." Viggo. That was Viggo. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I… am dead." Krogan rasped. His eyes blossomed with tears. He had finally passed on. He had finally died. His body had finally given out on him, and he was back where he belonged at Viggo's side. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No." Viggo said quietly. "But you are safe now." Gently, Viggo's hand brushed away the soft curls on Krogan's head, that now went past his nose, having been wild and unkempt for the longest time, only occasionally having been ran through to keep it from turning to mats. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Slowly, Krogan lifted his head, his adam's apple bobbing. He took in a deep breath, taking in Viggo's scent, loving the scent of it as it washed over his nose once more. Bringing back brief flashes of happiness. Of light. The dust swirling in motes of sunlight, and Viggo's half smile- his smiles. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Carefully, Krogan lifted his bony hand to brush against Viggo's fingers, fingers shaking brutally. He was so… weak. So tired, and so hungry. It just made him want to pass out… not wake up. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"His eyes were too weak to eek out even a silhouette of Viggo, let alone his face. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Do not strain yourself." Viggo chided. Gently, a spoon, with warm broth is poked into his mouth. The distinct flavor has Viggo Grimborn written all over it; burnt, but it was warm, and filled his stomach perfectly. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Am I home?" He asked softly. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yes, Krogan, we're home." Viggo replied. "You're safe." /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Viggo's hand ruffled his hair. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Krogan closed his eyes, humming in contentment. This was all he needed. /span/p