Quote:
Originally Posted by
NiallNIP 
Quinn nodded, shaking a bit in nervousness and anticipation. He knew that this was his idea and that they should just look but... it was still nerve-racking. When Lia started counting he squeezed her hand tight and shut his eyes, the anxiety building up inside him. The anxiety reached a crescendo on three, and Quinn rode that high of his anxiousness to spin fast on his heel, looking directly towards the pen that held the thestrals—
He paled a bit as his gaze landed on a large winged horse, black skin taut over bone. The thestral gave off an aura of wintery decay, like what you would expect if you found what was left of a horse frozen in a glacier. The chill seeped into Quinn's bones as he studied the creature quietly; it soon found and infiltrated the ball of anxiety in his chest to create an overwhelming, indescribably awful feeling that overtook Quinn's body and made him sick to his stomach. He looked down defeatedly, knowing that he now would be able to see these things forever, knowing that he saw what he thought he saw, knowing that there was no escaping reality. But he didn't cry. He just looked down. He opened his mouth to speak, but he wasn't sure what was right to say in this moment and he didn't want to throw up, so he shut it back tight again.
Was she shaking or was that Quinn who was shaking, as she counted slowly to three. Honestly she had no idea and truthfully it didn't even matter. This was happening. Her own fingers clasped even more tightly at his hand when she felt his hand squeeze hers. This was it.
"Th-three.."
She had whispered
'three'. That had been their cue to look. Would it be wrong to back out now? Tell Quinn she had changed her mind and they could do this another time? But she couldn't do that. As that word fell from her lips, she felt herself spinning around on her heels along with Quinn.. this is what happened when you don't let go of someones hand. She could feel her heart racing in her chest and her breathing grow shaky, pretty sure her hands were all sweaty too. Sorry Quinn.
Blue eyes were met with white ones that seemed to stare straight back at her. Unlike Quinn beside her, a part of her wanted to cry for what was now fully confirmed to be real. Another part, fascinated by what she was seeing. Black taut leathery skin so thin its bones could be seen underneath. It was scarily beautiful. Almost mesmerizing in a way. And for several really long moments, Dahlia couldn't look away even though she had wanted to.
When she finally did pull her gaze away to check on the one who's hand still remained firmly held in her own, she felt only a deep sadness. He had seen them too. She hadn't wanted him to see them. Without a word, Lia pulled him into a tight hug. Nothing needed to be said right now.