[center][h2][color=BurlyWood]Cedar.[/color][/h2][/center]

Cedar followed quickly behind Rose, clenching his hand repeatedly. It was still a little numb - not enough to significantly bother him, but he'd rather it be as normal as possible if he had dirty work ahead of him. Multiple people passed him on his way, looking a just a little panicked. People who'd seen the business with Ruskali, he assumed. He couldn't imagine it was pretty.

Arriving on scene, his thoughts were immediately confirmed. He'd really only given Ruskali passing glances before, but Cedar was rather certain he hadn't been so grey-skinned, and he definitely didn't recall any previous Nox-vomitting shenanigans. 

Hearing Rose, he threw his arm up to cover both eyes, shutting them and turning away from the shot as well for good measure. He remembered how bright the shot had been when he fired the gun, so he was prepared. With his other hand, he unclipped the halberd from his back. He positioned himself closer to Ruskali, taking a spot between the Nox-infested man and the other Ze's. Dimly he was aware of Iris above them, but the issue that caught his attention more was Listener's clear reluctance to risk harming Ruskali. He didn't blame her, but he still moved closer, taking a combative stance as his vision readjusted slightly from the shot. If Ruskali was still aggressive after that, Cedar wouldn't hesitate. It was better to err on the side of caution that to hope Ruskali could be retrieved from the Nox, if it came down to that.