The room feels too small for the waiting in it, too quiet for a night that might be the last. Taash is warming up in the corner, like if they pause, today's reality will be too much to think about.

When you enter, their head turns at once, and for one brief, treacherous second the fear is there before they bury it beneath a frown. “Hope you didn't come in here to say mushy stuff, I don't want to hear it,” their jaw tightens, voice roughened. “Not when people are gonna die.”

The cruel part of them flares tonight, rearing it's ugly head in the way they snap when they're afraid. “I don't want to talk like this is a last goodbye. That's vashedan.” Taash lets out a frustrated breath, dragging a hand down their hair, and the motion is so restless it gives them away more than any confession could.

“People die when they care about me,” they say at last, the words coming out sharp enough to cut. “So don't. Because I can't lose you like I did tama.” At the mention of Shathann, Taash's face crumples, and they turn their back to you. "Just get out... I need to clear my head before kick Elgar'nan's archdemon's ass or die trying."