[ action ]

[wishmadeinfire]

[ After the horrendous fight with Felix, Ashura had no wish to stay in the Castle where he might run into the other. So, instead, he headed out to the barn and gathered Svitana, tossing on the dragon-horses' bareback blanket and bridle and mounting up.

They surged out of the barn at break neck speeds, Svitana let out a reptilian screen as his claws dug into the earth, throwing up clods of dirt as the pair raced for the forest. They vanished within, racing through the wood at a pace some might consider dangerous if not for Svitana's great traction from his claws. They leapt over fallen trees and rocks, sending birds scattering and deer running and more or less terrifying the local wildlife. 

When they finally emerged, both were panting, and Ashura's cheeks were scratched here and there from twigs having smacked him in the face. He had chosen to ignore them in his more or less irritated rage. His hair had leaves in it that he was slowly yanking out as Svitana scraped through the town, some people avoiding the clearly miffed elf-like man and his giant reptilian horse.

For the first time in a long time, Ashura wanted a drink - a real, hard drink, and that was where he was headed.]

[ooc: feel free to see him running through the wood or stop him in the town and join him for angry drinks]

Comments

town and action~

[echivoc]

[ Cross is in town, really just wandering around with no particular goal in mind. It seems to be a better idea to walk around a quiet, slumbering town than sit in his room and stare out the window blankly.

He rounds the corner and notices Ashura, raising an eyebrow at him being in town at this time. ]

OMGEEEEE

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[Yes, well, when you wanted to avoid someone who slept in the same room as you, what was one to do? He drew up by the fountain and slid off to let Svitana drink, brushing off his clothing and grunting as he dipped his hand in the water to wash at the cuts on his face.]}

[echivoc]

[ Excellent choice. Cross comes up to the fountain and tilts his head to one side. ]

Having a bad night, Ashura?

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[He almost jumps when the other speaks, not expecting anyone. He spun, golden eyes bright, and relaxed minutely when he saw cross.]}

You could say that, Cross, you could say that.

_{[He frowned, touching the scratches on his face, as if suddenly embarrassed.]}

[echivoc]

[ Cross does that to people. He gauges Ashura's appearance, the elf's tone, and added with the time of night... ]

Did someone piss you off enough to take a late night ride?

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[He knew Cross knew about him and Felix, so of course the other was able to guess.]}

He signed up for a round of guard duty, without discussing it with me or even bothering to tell me he was.

_{[The anger and hurt and worry was evident in his voice.]}

[echivoc]

That would explain why you have the scratch on your cheek and a bit of dirt here and there. Now, I think a glass or two of wine may do the trick.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[He paused, considering, then nodded.]}

Yes, that they might.

[echivoc]

Finish cleaning up, there is no rush. [ And to show he means it, he will turn and walk a bit away. ]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[He sighs, doing that, and takes Svitana over to the bar/wine house. He ground ties him outside and finally walks in, spotting Cross and sitting primly down beside him, rubbing knuckles that had been gripping the reins to tight.]}

Do you recommend something?

[echivoc]

It depends on how strong you want your drink to be. [ The general is already swirling around a glass of red wine — and no red wine is strong enough to truly tone down Ashura's anger. ]

[wishmadeinfire]

Enough to make me want to burn something a bit less.

_{[He frowned at the wine bottles behind the bar, debating and sighed, running a hand through his hair and wincing some when he brushed a scratch.]}

He's an idiot.

[echivoc]

[ Cross makes a signal to the bartender and within a moment, there will be a small tumbler of whiskey over ice in front of Ashura. He takes a sip of his wine, smirking a bit at the remark. ]

Because he volunteered without discussing it with you first?

[wishmadeinfire]

Yes!

_{{He took a sip of his drink.]}

He's needlessly putting himself in the way of danger - again.

[hyuuga]

[Hinata has been staying in town, avoiding the castle as best she can. And...avoiding staying too long in the house with Ino, Sakura and Jr. She just can't at the moment. So she's been wandering about, looking for a distraction.

And with how Ashura looks...]

...Ashura? [She's almost scared to approach, but she's worried.] Is... You're not injured, are you?

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[He turns to look at Hinata and he manages to calm himself enough to be civil. She had not done anything wrong, after all.]}

Hinata. Good evening.

_{[Never mind that several of the scratches are trickling blood down his cheeks and jaw.]}

[hyuuga]

[She notices those cuts on his face--enough to notice that they are probably from branches as she's had her share of those--and is a little surprised at how calm he is managing to keep himself.]

...You're bleeding. [She blushes, realizing how obvious that is.] What happened?

[wishmadeinfire]

I was not as careful as I should have been riding through the forests.

_{[He dips his hand in water again and rubs it over his face to clean off the blood, turning it pink.]}

[hyuuga]

That's...not good, Ashura-ou. [And makes her worry. Because she's been out riding with him and knows he's a bit more careful than that.]

If-- [She pauses, wondering if she should even voice her thoughts.] ...If there's something you would like to talk about, I am willing to listen..

[wishmadeinfire]

Thank you, Hinata, but I do not wish to burden you with personal issues.

[hyuuga]

Mm, if you say so. [So dubious about that. But she really isn't one to pry or make someone talk about their problems.]

But, um, you should really get those cuts looked at..

[wishmadeinfire]

I am sure they will be fine. They're not deep, there are just many.

[hyuuga]

All right. [She's almost skeptical, if only because this doesn't fit what she knows of Ashura at all.] If you say so.

Um, I-I suppose I will just...leave you to your evening then.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[He sighs, knowing he was being rude when Hinata was clearly just worried.]}

I do not mean to be terse, Hinata. It has... just been a stressful evening.

[hyuuga]

[She shakes her head.]

N-no, it's all right.. It's understandable. I-I suppose you didn't entirely want to be bothered, right?