Iskra
This world is a wasteland, nothing can grow
He stumbles a step or two back to full height, neck and shoulders rolling with the release. There's a newfound calm between the two of them, an understanding carefully meted out between fists and shouts. A flicker of relief fills Iskra when Sah grasps his reasoning and finds something like agreement among it. It helps firm Iskra's belief in Sah's explanations, and makes him feel a little less insane for acting this way. Shameful still, to be sure, especially with how badly he fared against Sah's strength, something he'd wince at later in the bath, something he'd dwell on with a heaviness as he settles into bed and wishes he could be stronger. He could handle that though.
A clear nod responds to Sah's lingering question of certainty, and a grim smile spreads when he finally agrees. Sah didn't owe him shit after this, but Iskra is grateful for the acceptance of it, his wrist clapped easily in Sah's grip. The knowing that it's coming is already bad, and for a beat Iskra has half a mind to rip his hand back and run down the road instead. He just grits his teeth though, leaning into the ground a bit more, into Sah.
The actual lightning is worse though. So much worse.
Hot and furious it ripples through his wrist, and even as dialed down as he can manage it, it doesn't stop the pain from spreading along every nerve, doesn't stop the muscles from seizing and rippling with mixed electric currents. Everything in his arm tenses, and the jolt has to surge through him and escape down his feet, leaving a wake of destruction that Iskra trembles against. It's fast, and Sah's healing, a pleasant wash that knits everything back together right after, is a welcome addition. It's over in no time, but Iskra reels as he slips out of Sah's grasp again, hand flexing as his other holds his wrist, as if he can still feel the phantom tingle of ruin. To think, Mel had this done at full strength.
Shit, he needs to be better. "THANKS!" he says, an odd thing to say to the person who just zapped you. "IT HELPS," he reassures, glancing back up at Sah with a smile. "SORRY," he finally manages with a rolled shrug. "HOPE YOUR NIGHT GOES BETTER." He then turns to make his leave, hand lifting in a wave of departure.
[FIN]
A clear nod responds to Sah's lingering question of certainty, and a grim smile spreads when he finally agrees. Sah didn't owe him shit after this, but Iskra is grateful for the acceptance of it, his wrist clapped easily in Sah's grip. The knowing that it's coming is already bad, and for a beat Iskra has half a mind to rip his hand back and run down the road instead. He just grits his teeth though, leaning into the ground a bit more, into Sah.
The actual lightning is worse though. So much worse.
Hot and furious it ripples through his wrist, and even as dialed down as he can manage it, it doesn't stop the pain from spreading along every nerve, doesn't stop the muscles from seizing and rippling with mixed electric currents. Everything in his arm tenses, and the jolt has to surge through him and escape down his feet, leaving a wake of destruction that Iskra trembles against. It's fast, and Sah's healing, a pleasant wash that knits everything back together right after, is a welcome addition. It's over in no time, but Iskra reels as he slips out of Sah's grasp again, hand flexing as his other holds his wrist, as if he can still feel the phantom tingle of ruin. To think, Mel had this done at full strength.
Shit, he needs to be better. "THANKS!" he says, an odd thing to say to the person who just zapped you. "IT HELPS," he reassures, glancing back up at Sah with a smile. "SORRY," he finally manages with a rolled shrug. "HOPE YOUR NIGHT GOES BETTER." He then turns to make his leave, hand lifting in a wave of departure.
[FIN]
I used to have strength, but I ran out of hope
