Michael had little time to take in Ascot's explanation before everything took a turn for the worse. He noticed Koda's transformation and assault too late to be the one to take him down. He had instinctively raised his pistol in response, but by the time he had aimed his gun, Tristan of all people had already swooped into action. In due time, Koda was nothing more than ash, and everyone looked the worse for it. All Koda had been to Michael was the man that tried to help in his literal last moments on earth, but that didn't make this any easier to see. He was a comrade, even if only briefly, and the fact that one of their number had perished so suddenly and so horribly made Michael sick. He was hardly a stranger to death; people had died during his time on the force, either civilians that ran afoul of someone vicious, or criminals that got clipped in the wrong way. Michael had even shot people himself, though he had yet to kill anybody. But there was something raw and visceral about this that wrenched his gut all the more.

It only got worse as people began to speculate as to why it happened. Ascot brought up the possibility of him being overwhelmed by the magic he had come to possess. The very same magic many of them had already partially indulged in. It instantly brought up fearful visions of himself turning into some kindof monster and attacking the others. Did the ghost girl know this was going to happen? It seemed unlikely that a being of seemingly great cosmic power wouldn't know the dangers of their own magical artifacts. Regardless of the truth, Michael felt a shot of anger wash over him at the mere thought. If she even had an inkling that this would happen, then she was directly responsible for turning Koda into that [i]thing[/i]. Michael hoped for her sake that she had a good explanation, or he would make her regret this, no matter what it took.

But now was not the time for thoughts of vengeance and possibilities. They still had a very much living group of people to be concerned about. As much as Michael imagined Stormy was suffering, even though she sounded disturbingly calm about it all, Michael was just as concerned about Tristan. It was not something to be taken lightly, the fact that he had just killed someone. It was something he had to do, but Michael could only imagine how it was cutting him up inside. In the absolute worst case, this could be something he would kill himself over. They would need to handle him with care if they were to carry on together. His friend, that Tabitha girl, was already saying something to him, and Michael hoped that might be enough to assuage whatever was going on in his head right now.

With Stormy being tended to and Tristan occupied with his friend, Michael was initially unsure of what to do with himself here. Then he noticed Anni, wrought with grief. She reminded him that they had an almost unfairly young and vulnerable girl with them, in a world that had just proven to be so much more insane and dangerous than some of the worst places on earth. Of all the people the ghost bitch had to drag into this, why did it have to be her? It shouldn't have been anyone, but least of all someone barely beyond being a child. Michael leaned down beside Anni and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. The least he could do was this much, whether she would be comforted by his words and deeds or not. She did have that Kate woman as a friend, but...Michael had absolutely no confidence in her ability to be useful in a situation like this. Heaven help her if she even thought of making a quip like she had about his "death".

[color=fdc68a]"Let it all out, kid."[/color] Michael told her. [color=fdc68a]"Just know that we're here for you. It'll be alright."[/color]

But he didn't even believe that himself.

[@TaroAndSelia]