{SE} {open} bitten by a vampire

Nikolai

We are only haunted by the things we refuse to accept
-Bridgett Devoue

Nikolai found himself giving the Accepted a rare smile. "I love it. Best choice I've ever made." Truly his life, and his mom's life, had changed instantly. Suddenly surrounded by support and newfound family, new opportunities appearing at every corner. It was incredible. Nikolai's mom had smiled more in the months since she'd Ascended then he'd seen in all of his childhood. It made him happier and more thankful then he could ever express. Nikolai would live and die for the Voice and for his fellow Ascended without hesitation.

Although he couldn't feel the pain of impact, it still causes Nikolai's stomach to drop as they fell. He was relieved that he'd caught them however and as he scanned them, even more so to see them unharmed. "Careful, that could have been horrible." Their thanks however had the Ascended flushing and stepping back shyly. "Ah.. you...you're welcome. You can pay me back another time."

Internally Nikolai was cursing himself.  Why couldn't he take any form of gratitude or compliment without losing his cool? It was horribly inconvenient.

Resilience is born even when we feel like we are dying
-Alex Elle