( No word, those first few steps. Nor the ones subsequent, for the way his head turns on his neck, the quirking of the corner of his lips into a wry, dry sort of smile. )
What it will.
( Because he has not asked the costs, has only evaluated when they're too much, and only now to himself because of Lan Zhan's insistence on his sanctity of self. Some check on it, and this man as the only balance. )
Not to any last breaths.
( The closest to a promise in his trying, that he will not be tempting death, for all it persists in attempts to seduce him. Two steps more, and he and the ghost are out into the hall. Three past that, swallowed by the dark stretches between flickering lights, gold and oil alike. )
no subject
( No word, those first few steps. Nor the ones subsequent, for the way his head turns on his neck, the quirking of the corner of his lips into a wry, dry sort of smile. )
What it will.
( Because he has not asked the costs, has only evaluated when they're too much, and only now to himself because of Lan Zhan's insistence on his sanctity of self. Some check on it, and this man as the only balance. )
Not to any last breaths.
( The closest to a promise in his trying, that he will not be tempting death, for all it persists in attempts to seduce him. Two steps more, and he and the ghost are out into the hall. Three past that, swallowed by the dark stretches between flickering lights, gold and oil alike. )