A deep breath, the stench of charcoal filling his lungs.

Slowly, Udorakas stood on shaky legs, walking away from the ashes of what was once a village. No soul to say who had burned it to the ground, no finger to blame the old hero.

...Maybe it's better that way.

Seeing the extra protein on his plate made him smile widely.

"Thank you, miss.~" he hummed, taking the food eagerly. He waited until she had her own food, savoring his meal with her.

"Man... I'm itching to get back to it." he admitted, chuckling.

"...Thank you, friend."

The dragon offered a full smile, only marred by the redness of his eyes that slowly went away.

A few moments later and he'd start the flames, ready to cook.

The dragon smiled, his face still a bit red. It looked like that weight on him had lessened some, thanks to the efforts of his friend. He'd be cheery soon enough, probably moreso since they were on more equal ground.

It took a long while, but the embrace and gentle words helped him. His breathing slowed, his sobs nothing more than sniffles, his head oh so gently pressing against her chest.

Listening to her heartbeat.

Heavy sobs, hands clutching Inrin to find a foundation. To share his sorrow for once, to feel an impossible weight on his shoulders shift.

"B-but... This thing is still inside me..." he wept. "I know it is... It's waiting to hurt again... It's hurt others... Not just my friends..."

He swallowed.

"Somehow... I was attacked in victory. Controlled. Overtaken by those twisted virtues." His torso turned a bit, to show that webbed scar on his back. "In killing the success, I became the next best thing.

"...I killed my friends." he said, barely audible.

"A greedy, arrogant, hateful, vain and spiteful pawn for a being who wishes to take and take until there's nothing left. My... my friends and I realized this, realized I was an unsuccessful attempt, tried to stop the one who would succeed. In the end, we defeated him, but... +"

"...I am cursed by birth." he finally said, his voice a whisper. "I am the spawn of the Chromatic Dragon." He waited a moment, to see if there was any recognition in her eyes before continuing.

"I was meant to be a champion of Tiamat. To bring about a Divergence. +

Eventually the dragonborn raised his head, eyes puffy and a little red. His mouth opened, about to thank her for this, a decent chance to move on and continue their journey. Another chance to speak about things.

But... she was like him, in a way. She deserved to know more. +

He hadn't begun to confide in others before, not with this. But even his vague explanation had brought him to this, trembling in her grasp.

Udorakas sat there for a minute or two, softly sobbing on Inrin's shoulder. Letting at least a little of this out. +