[sylvanSpider]

Ashi looked up at Hyun's noble face, the tears still wet on her cheeks. I'm not the martyr, Shaldag is... She couldn't seem to find words to respond to the owner of the arms that were carrying her to safety, hoping instead that soon she'd be responding in actions rather than hollow words. She was loved now. Loved by someone other than just an adoring fan of her status as a princess. Hyun loved her for her. Shaldag, too, loved her. In a different way, but she could see that that love was as real and no less strong than Hyun's.

Before she could utter an “It's alright, you were trying to make a point that was accurately conveyed, an explosion interrupted their strained but personal conversation and Ashi looked up to Hyun with ice blue eyes the size of dinner plates and uttered instead just a soft “Shaldag...n-no...”

Ashi felt herself being lowered to the ground and looked up at Hyun, doing as she was told. She turned invisible, watching helplessly as Hyun ran back into the fray and she found herself curled up with her good hand covering her mouth as she again began to cry. When Hyun came back with Shaldag in tow and Ashi gave a squeak of delight. He looked...he looked terrible. Worse, even, than the state the man himself left Ashi in. She turned visible instantly, “I'm here..but get him out before me, he...he needs it more. I can stay invisible as long as I need to...Just....just get him to safety. I think I have enough time before the drugs wear off—and even then...it's just pain. I haven't died yet, have I?” She laughed, tears filling her eyes again as he pointed.