Last to Fall

Vervain's words seemed far away and strange, kindling hope that Jigano was afraid to feel as he glanced up at her with blue eyes hungry for reassurance. He didn't contradict her, but his gaze held a desperate need to believe, and a fragile gratitude at the news. He let out a shuddering breath as he gathered himself for her healing, remembering how gentle it had been when he had been the one injured. But... Rory was hurt so much worse than he had been. Again he felt the tears prickle at his eyes, and again he blinked them back as Rexanna settled beside him. Another day, another time, and he would have spared her a smile. Now he could barely nod, swallowing past the lump in his throat as he did what he could to steady his wounded friend in his lap. Isuma stayed where she was as well, a small ball of warmth and softness who continued to peep quietly in distress, both Jigano's and her own.

"...thank you..." the bard echoed Rexanna, barely above a whisper as he tensed and held as Vervain began her work. He felt Rory shake, heard him cry out, and held on grimly as he curled over his friend. Long, pale hair torn free of its braid slipped forwards to coil against the hunter's chest, but seeing the glow of magic in Vervain's hands steadied something in Jigano as well, and his expression began to firm up as he forced himself to watch his friend shiver and whimper and gasp as healing coursed through him to stabilize the worst of the damage that he had helped to cause.

"Please," he begged softly, though whether it was to Vervain or Rory it wasn't clear.