Shin gulped, and ashamedly left the chamber, frustrated at a different target for once: himself. Why couldn't he be in more control of his words? Why let his tongue jurisdict his life? He thought, sighing as he wandered, upset. "Well, there goes south your relationship with one of the only respectable people in this damned city," he muttered as he strolled.
Belzagar was, while he'd never admit it aloud, like a father figure to him. He saw the potential in Shin, valued him and his abilities, unlike all these other fools he worked with.
He knew, after all, that this wasn't entirely bad of a thing- it just felt... sickening... to be talked down upon in any way. No matter how it would be done, he couldn't shake its connection to the days of his youth...
"Ah-ha!" He exclaimed, escaping from his gloom and slip into the past. "Maybe that will make things better, at least for myself. Could help to relieve my mind from today's mess... Heh, it's worth a shot..." Now in better spirits, Shin went back to his infamous alleyway, looking for some 'comfort.'
[rule]
After his complicated talk with the two shifters, Ha'zi trudged back to whatever quarters he had at Minas Tirith, defeated, and went to bed without delay... except he couldn't. He was just too aware, aware of how bad things were and how they would be. Great scaled beasts, mass murdering horrors, and the nearby figure of his son, Beren, kept flashing in and out of his consciousness. He had to do something to stop or at least work against them. But what? Would being a part of this mission do it? Would using his powers more help? Or was this all futile? Would his actions be of no use whatsoever?
Besides this tortuous shuffle of doubt and denial, he was becoming acutely mindful of how maddening it felt to be alone, and to be alone even when you are surrounded by others. Ha'zi tossed and turned repeatedly, feeling always at unease, which he had become used to following the time spent training. But today was different, for he had seen many signs and actually had news for once, had hope.
For a multitude of weeks, the Haradrim lad took the absence of someone at his side greatly... the absence of Miriel. Not because of pleasure and desire but for comfort in spirit and strength. Before meeting her, he had gone without true companionship for a long time... Months? A year? Probably more like decades in actuality, he numbly figured. And just like that, it was gone. Poof.
But if he were to get to the camp... If he were to get there... Then his problems would disappear, or at least most of them. He'd be somewhere that people like he were welcomed. He'd be with Miriel, who he could try to reconcile with, and his children, who he could finally be there for. He could be where he belonged...
Despite its ludicrous premise, he thought that maybe, just maybe, he should've accepted that Fear shifter's offer. It might've made things easier... even if it sounded so far-fetched. He could've at least tried. Instead, he blacked out, like some pansy.
The dark-skinned man sighed. He knew none of this was likely, but he could hope. Holding upon that belief as tightly as he would have done if a partner were beside him, Ha'zi passed into unconsciousness....
[rule]
While the two rangers sought comfort in dreams and desires, Galador was faced with a wave of discomfort. After waving Arcturus goodbye, he began to head back to his own quarters. As he went, he saw the despicable Shin... moping? Feeling a bit sympathetic, he motioned to approach, but stopped upon hearing the ranger's exclamation.
This is where the discomfort arose. You see, the ranger had once stumbled upon Shin's "spot", right in the middle of one of his hookups. That image was again brought to mind, instantly triggering a series of sickened grimaces as he trudged back uncomfortably.
...
As all three men were a part of the caravan, each was in a different mood, corresponding to their sleep: Shin was quite well rested ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°), while Ha'zi and Galador, on the other hand, had not had that enjoyable of a night, so they were therefore nervous and mildly cranky...
"Shut up, midget," Ha'zi barked back mentally to Daugo as he caught the thought, demonstrating his attitude quite clearly to his companion.
