Skandra closed his eyes against the storm of criticism flowing out of Aeotha's mouth. It was typical. Not of the High Priestess. Of females in general. Tell you to do whatever you like, and then inform you that what you like was not nearly good enough to suit their needs. Skandra liked to think that, in some way, he could try and explain everything that happened. That sense of betrayal that he knew she was feeling wouldn't go away simply because he could explain everything. Too late for all that. Did it matter if Aeotha trusted him? He could see his end, now. It was close enough that it seemed as though nothing mattered.
If none of it mattered, then why was he doing any of this?
Skandra's fingertips dug into his forehead. The pressure was intense. It should have forced his skull to ache. All he felt was a sort of numbness above his eyes. Ready to come out? He wished he could stay in here forever, now that he thought of it. If he crossed that threshold it would be the beginning of the end. There was no image of his death floating around inside of his head. He could not have told anyone how and when it would happen. Just a sensation. A stinging to counter the numbness of his skin. If he could explain that, then he could explain anything.
There was nothing he couldn't explain.
"I don't think I could explain a damned thing," Skandra said, eyes squeezed shut to the point of pain. "We could sit here for the rest of time. Which isn't as long as you'd think. And nothing I said would make sense. Yeah, I'm ready to come out of here."
His eyes opened.
"I want my things back. All of them. I brought Leironuoth a present."