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I stuck with you this long…

Sajahka didn’t know how they had gotten to where they were, or what had gotten into Nyko’s head. He didn’t know what he had done wrong, if anything, but in that particular moment, the swell of confusion was too much to do anything with. If Nyko did not want him about, then he could hardly stand to be there.

«I apologize for wasting your time, N-I-C-O-S-I-A…» He looked to the sand beside Nyko’s feet, frowning, and it occurred to him to add more, ‘Take with you wherever you go that you were my only friend, and my reason for living…and I appreciate every moment we had. I am sorry I could not make it as meaningful for you…’

But he felt he had embarrassed himself enough, and his fingers felt stiff with a growing numbness.

So instead, because his reason for being there was Nyko, and his reason for being was Nyko, and because Nyko was for some reason seemingly opposed to both, Sajah turned, and walked. It didn’t matter where, for the moment. He had heard enough of what Nyko had to say, and unless or until that tone changed, he had nothing more to add himself.

…and when we get back you'll hear my name everywhere!

We.

In all of it, Sajahka had almost forgotten about Nyko’s personal variety of distraction. He had been so overwhelmed by Nyko in his own commentary and actions, that the girl was simply a non-element. But somehow in that instant, it all seemed to tie together.

It had to be her.

It was the only thing that made sense. Never had Nyko felt so distinctly against him, and while he could recognize that perhaps he had been somewhat hit and miss in his availability, nothing explained it but this: this was Thessia’s idea. ‘They’ were going to Belrea.

And he supposed it wasn’t difficult to imagine why she might not want him about for the trip. What good was he from her perspective? He knew little to nothing about her, but from what he could derive from Nyko, she was driven, ambitious, serious in her plans—and very interested in Nyko himself. And why wouldn’t she be? He had real talent, if little refinement, a beautiful natural voice, at least as much ambition as she, energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to go to any lengths to achieve his dreams.

Which, apparently, meant leaving him behind, and Sajahka supposed from an outsider’s perspective — and therefore perhaps even from a truly honest pragmatic perspective — he had very little to personally add to Nyko’s life as a rising star. He couldn’t sing. He wasn’t showy. He couldn’t even communicate with the others Nyko would be working with. He wasn’t good for much of anything in that world. He had just assumed he would be there to watch Nyko fly.

But perhaps he truly would only be a weight. And certainly in his current mindstate, he found it difficult to imagine trying to be around if this was the attitude she inspired in Nyko. It felt painful, sudden, ‘unfair’ if only from a purely personal perspective—but maybe it really was what was best for Nyko, if that was what he wanted.

His name everywhere.

To his side over his shoulder without looking back, Sajah gave Nyko a thumbs up.

Good luck with that…I hope it’s everything you want it to be.

In the meantime, he would have to figure out if there was anything left to his life at all, and what to do with the pieces he salvaged. But for now, all he could do was put space between them.