Strong hands seized ahold of Serpentine wrenching her away from the no-man’s land in the center of the café. A lump caught in her throat, Serpentine struggled against this unknown aggressor, her feet and fists connecting indiscriminately with any chairs or tables or decorations that came within range, with few blows even striking her assailant. The gas before had sapped her strength, and despite desperate efforts the mysterious person succeeded in dragging her into the corner. The sound of forming stone and a familiar voice broke through the inhibiting darkness that surrounded Serpentine, calming her frantic heart.

	[color=ed145b]“Ed-?“[/color] No, not Eddie. The school boy she’d spoken to earlier that morning wouldn’t be here battling supervillains and forming a defensive wall to help protect her. Reaching out Serpentine felt the wing and shoulder of Talon’s suit, a mixture of relief and guilt swamping her overwhelmed senses. [color=ed145b]“I’m sorry for hitting you Talon!” [/color]She gasped, snatching her hand away and staring around into the permanent blackness that surrounded her like a veil. A shiver of fear ran down her spine. Was her condition permanent? Would it wear off in time, or when Barristris was defeated? Serpentine was truly helpless without the use of her vision, and for the first time felt a serious appreciation for something she usually took for granted.

	[color=ed145b]“I can’t see. Whatever’s in that gas blinded me, and I don’t feel so good. Almost, dizzy.” [/color]The snake heroine sank back, slumping against the wall her hands pressed tight against her face. She dearly wished should could rip off the mask and pour cool water onto her throbbing eyes, or at least somehow ease the pain. She could still smell the sickly sweet scent of the gas, clogging her nostrils and disorienting her mind, and hear the blast from the can that exploded right in front of her face. Nearby the sounds of battle echoed throughout the café, indicating Furrita’s attempts at defeating the Barristris alone. “You should go help her,” Serpentine urged Talon, her face directed in the wrong way. [color=ed145b]“I’ll be fine here, just let me know of Rouge-Bat shows up.” [/color]She touched the camera attached at her hip, trying to give her comrade a brave smile to show she'd be okay. Unbeknownst to her the device had been shattered from her tumble, the screen broken into a million pieces by the full weight of her body landing on top of it.