Zavien
He knew he'd be playing the role of Pierce, but her words have his face scrunching with confusion (and perhaps a bit of suspicion). It's said with a little too much syrup, and a few too many precursors, almost like she knows he's not going to like what she's about to do. Zavien is all the more cautious as she approaches, preparing for whatever dirty punch she plans to throw his way. But Flora doesn't walk straight towards him, she circles him like a shark scenting fresh blood or a boa constrictor preparing to tight his noose. Neither give him much hope as she lifts a hand towards him, her words like the silk of a spider trap.
He goes rigid under her touch. It's not the punch he's expecting, but quite the opposite. The soft, seductive trailing of a finger suddenly has him very aware of everything: the t-shirt that suddenly feels way too thin, Flora's casual flirty confidence that's nothing like Lena, and the vibrant flaming shade of red that flares across his face faster than a comet. "I don't - I'm not - I mean -" His head turns to try following her movements, mouth gaping as his mind tries to rationalize the 'hypotheticals' of it all, very distracted by the suggestive brush of her. "Flora -" He's about to argue something, but they'll never know what.
Logic has abandoned him, his words have abandoned him, and now his breath has abandoned him along with the stark absence of his reflexes to protect him from the powerful hit to his kidney.
Zavien grunts, dropping to a knee as darkness and starlight simultaneously devour his vision, like a narrowing and exploding all at once that leaves him stunned. It's pain and shock that wracks his body, and his hand moves instinctually to cover his flank, feeling the scarring there that had sharpened her attack enough to completely incapacitate for a moment. It aches despite the months of healing, and he kneads a hand against the tender flesh as he moves to stand, his lungs too empty and too full all at once. There's a grimace on his face, his blush still lingering beneath the pale expression of pain - not that it stops the amused smile that strains to speak through tight breaths. "Good."
Straightening more, he feels Sol getting ready to rush to his aide, stopping only when Zavien reassures him of his safety. At the same time, the Dragoon stretches his side a little, laughing with what air he can recruit. "But I'm not sure my girlfriend would approve of your methods." He's never seen Lena jealous, but he doesn't like the idea of finding out.
Only once he can inhale a full breath does he gesture for Flora to give it another go, hoping he might be better prepared for whatever she has next.
He goes rigid under her touch. It's not the punch he's expecting, but quite the opposite. The soft, seductive trailing of a finger suddenly has him very aware of everything: the t-shirt that suddenly feels way too thin, Flora's casual flirty confidence that's nothing like Lena, and the vibrant flaming shade of red that flares across his face faster than a comet. "I don't - I'm not - I mean -" His head turns to try following her movements, mouth gaping as his mind tries to rationalize the 'hypotheticals' of it all, very distracted by the suggestive brush of her. "Flora -" He's about to argue something, but they'll never know what.
Logic has abandoned him, his words have abandoned him, and now his breath has abandoned him along with the stark absence of his reflexes to protect him from the powerful hit to his kidney.
Zavien grunts, dropping to a knee as darkness and starlight simultaneously devour his vision, like a narrowing and exploding all at once that leaves him stunned. It's pain and shock that wracks his body, and his hand moves instinctually to cover his flank, feeling the scarring there that had sharpened her attack enough to completely incapacitate for a moment. It aches despite the months of healing, and he kneads a hand against the tender flesh as he moves to stand, his lungs too empty and too full all at once. There's a grimace on his face, his blush still lingering beneath the pale expression of pain - not that it stops the amused smile that strains to speak through tight breaths. "Good."
Straightening more, he feels Sol getting ready to rush to his aide, stopping only when Zavien reassures him of his safety. At the same time, the Dragoon stretches his side a little, laughing with what air he can recruit. "But I'm not sure my girlfriend would approve of your methods." He's never seen Lena jealous, but he doesn't like the idea of finding out.
Only once he can inhale a full breath does he gesture for Flora to give it another go, hoping he might be better prepared for whatever she has next.
Stay focused on your mission,
remain steadfast in your pursuit of excellence,
and always do the right thing.
remain steadfast in your pursuit of excellence,
and always do the right thing.
