Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-12599067-20140128024529/@comment-12599067-20140202023753

(Luckily for me, Goldy, I still have Diet Coke. It may not be Starbucks, but it'll do.)

Jack trotted out the door behind Daithi and Niall, watching the two of them converse from a safe distance. Makoru looked up as the new arrival passed by, still bickering with Daithi, and turned to Jack, frowning.

"Might I ask who that fellow is?" he asked, eyes locked on the new arrival as Niall walked past.

"His name's Niall, and no, he's not a vampire. He'll be traveling with us until we reach Windhelm, so get used to him."

"Excuse me? You're inviting a random stranger you met in a crumbling necromancer den to tag along on a ride to Windhelm? What kind of idea is that?"

"Look, Mak. These people may be strong, but against the Black Worm, they'll falter. We need all the help we can get, regardless of where it comes from."

"So what? You pick some random stranger up from a stronghold overrun with warlocks and expect him to automatically be nothing but good news? Jack, that's the most ridiculous--"

"Makoru, I advise you to be silent. I have been depraved of sleep, and right now, there is very little keeping me from snapping. So shut up and follow me, before I start throwing knives."

"You want me to follow you blindly? I did not get to where I am by being a mindless servant, Jack. I--"

"Where have you gotten, Mak? You've killed your brother, been put into servitude under two Daedric Princes, found yourself banished from your homeland, lost your throne to the Thalmor, and let's not forget the time you left Iman for dead. Hell, you can't even protect your current lover. You've gotten yourself nowhere, Mak. If it wasn't for people like me and Cynthia, you'd be a dead man. So if you still plan on following, I'd advise you to shut up and let me make the desicions," Jack snapped before turning his back on Makoru and continuing his descent into the keep.

Makoru sat in stunned silence for a moment, feeling a mix of rage and hurt swelling up in his chest. He wanted to come up with some kind of witty comeback, but nothing could compare to what Jack had said. He looked back down at Torene, feeling hurt by the truths Jack had spoken. After a long moment of quiet he let out a shaky sigh, then scooped Torene up from her seat on the ground and began walking down the stairs, feeling the truth bearing down on him with every step he took.