[action]

[ He looks mildly surprised when she does and almost flinches and moves away with the action so close to his face. He's grateful though and grips the cloth in his hands when she gives it to him. He blinks and looks away so much pain in his eyes at this point. It's as if the name he's about to say hurts him more than possibly imaginable. ] Elise.

[ And there it's said and he tries to keep his composure too as he takes a few more deep shaky breaths of air. He bites his lip and looks at anywhere but Rei. His hands are shaking slightly as he remembers everything like it was yesterday. The horror, the screaming, everything. ] She was my...my s-soul mate.

[ And that might make a few things click about Apep and everything that's happened these past few days. He looks so terribly sad and drained. Talking about this always left him like this though. It was so emotionally draining and painful too. ]