Responsibilities

[Darren Nash]

Ash didn't know what to think anymore. Apathy turned to frustration which turned to self-loathing and then back to apathy after a few beers. All he needed was a good punch up to finish every night off, and now Animus is trying to give him responsibilities again? Fuck that. This is where he belonged, under the hood of a car, tinkering and making things work. Keeping out of the way of the big players and doing his part (whatever that is)

Always the soldier, never the captain.

The wrench went tight as Ash peered at the engine block, standing outside the Circle of Creation. He was going to need some serious money to upgrade this heap of crap. That, and a lot of good 'ol luck.

[West (The Mage)]

"Why do you bother?" West asked, walking up to Ash and the car.

Of course he was talking about the car; after all, he didn't own one.

[banner]west[/banner]

[Darren Nash]

Ash glances up from under the hood, absently wiping his hands on a dirty rag. He shrugs. "Why not? Keeps me sane, I 'spose."

[West (The Mage)]

"Is sanity an issue?" West asked. One might think the question were a joke, but he was completely serious.

More importantly, such things --even concerns of such things-- could have a major impact in the Dreamtime. West moved slightly to the side, where he could see the car, and watch Ash's features and body language.

[Darren Nash]

The wrench slips slightly and Ash curses, a blood-blister forming on one of his thumbs. He then slouches as he considers his next words, very carefully.

"What do you want, West, 'cos I'm all out of caring anymore."

Maybe not that careful.

[West (The Mage)]

West had seen and heard that before. In the Army, from men who'd forgotten why they fought, or just forgotten how to fight.

"You find what you came to Sac looking for? Or just tired of looking?" he asked, curious if this were about something else. If Ash were 'fixable'.

Kai hadn't been... at least, not here.

[Forn Clakes]

"Mate, I'll never find what I'm looking for will I? I made that choice at Kruegans. What I didn't choose was to slowly go stark raving mad because of this fucking power that some distant fucking tower felt would be just dandy to lay on my shoulders." He spins the wrench in his hand, looking back to the engine. "I am nothing, and I don't want this anymore," he whispers, almost as if begging to wake up from a dream. What he says next he does so as he looks directly at West, a smirk touching his lips, voice dripping with self-loathing. "I put my gun to my temple the other day but couldn't pull the trigger. Go figure."

[West (The Mage)]

West simply nodded. There were many things he would change if he could, and understood the burden. While he knew many Arrows who would find such an attitude contemptible, they forgot that Word and Soul Must Agree. They fought to give others a chance to forge their ways.

"I can't let that attitude endanger others," he finally said. The words could be taken as condemnation, or rejection, but they were much closer to agreement and permission than the other.

"Are you leaving Sacramento?"

[Darren Nash]

"Yes, its for the best," Ash replied honestly. It was the clearest decision he'd made for a while, and one that seemed most sensible.

[West]

If he were surprised the other man didn't offer a destination, he didn't let it show. Then again, he wasn't surprised.

"I'm... sorry I threatened you, before," he said awkwardly, referring to Orphan's test. Seemed like the best time for the apology, as he might not see the man again. A Hallmark moment, for sure.

Then again, maybe Ash was mad he hadn't shot him.