[center][h1] Son of the Wind [/h1][/center]

It was almost impossible to notice unless close range, but the ways his lips quirked up in the faintest smile, indicated his awareness of the shift in the situation with the boy. Unlike another self, billions of worlds away, who might have known why the boy wanted to shake hands exactly, he didn't know for sure, but he had a suspicion of what it could be. Sometimes, risks had to be taken. But Chris mouthed to wait, and he seemed to be timing things. It didn't help the devil may care attitude of the undead like lifeform, but it also helped in a sense. Even as he noticed the guards starting to approach, his expression tightened ever so slightly, his hand moving just a tad closer to the boy.

The reason for waiting would soon become clear, as all hell broke loose in the form of the trio launching an assault on the guards. Chris's expression shifted, growing faintly concerned at the sight. If this was part of a trap or a suberfuge by the one behind it all, it was a good performance. But at the same time, his eyes flickered towards the people around, who did nothing to go on, taking the information in. Not good, they were either cowed, in on something he didn't know yet for sure was the case, or they had seen this before, and their reactions meant they feared reprisal. He needed more information. But in the commotion, he had his window. Even as Pox flew over his head, if he glanced down, he'd see Chris looking up for a moment, offering another flick of the eyes to indicate he'd have help. This help wouldn't the son of Ventuswill, at least not right away. Instead, his hand grabbed Ashton's. If this boy was the mole, the traitor, then he'd just taken a grave risk, but sometimes, great risks are required. Leaps of faith. Besides, he had a feeling the lad had some sort of power that required direct contact. Perhaps power share? Who knew... [i]"Whatever you're about to do, be careful. If it involves the energy in my blood, don't use it too long, or at least, be careful."[/i] He said no more, but it was clear why he was saying it, Rune was incredibly dangerous, its intoxicating like effect on the unprepared, especially in too great a dosage for their body and mind to handle, could turn lethal for a user. But that was a matter for another time.

His gaze remained locked on Ashton's until whatever the boy had to do was complete, then Chris turned his head, looking towards the boy who sat by himself. If the two locked eyes, he'd make a head gesture. Towards the still cowed people. He needed intelligence. If any of the horrified people were nearby, Chris would lean over, and just give them a look meant to calm, the kind of trusting aura one might expect from a healer or a diplomat. His words would be whisper soft, meant to reassure, but also extract the information he needed while Ashton presumably joined the fray. For the moment, he was going to play support, even as his hands began to move slowly, performing a ritual he knew by heart. Nothing fancy, just something to heat the cuffs, and perhaps weaken them, as he began to talk to the other. [i]"Mind filling me in on why you're looking so pale? Seen this before?"[/i] As for the fire magic he was using, Chris would keep it up, heating the cuffs more and more, while his other hand stopped using fire magic, and switched to water magic, using the coolness, to in essence, slowly expand and contract the metal, and hopefully weaken them enough to do the rest himself. Simple physics really. Hopefully the stunned person would fill him in, while Chris considered his next course of action...