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Rose's eyes were squeezed shut, partly from the light, partly from the flare of pain in her shoulder. When she opened them - or rather, the one she could open - she saw only a wisp of smoke where the Nox had been. She let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. [color=ff4f61]"Well, that didn't even have to hit to be a lucky shot,"[/color] she said, with a shaking laugh of relief. [color=ff4f61]"Crisis averted, everyone."[/color]

Except it wasn't, not for everyone. Cringing at how inaccurate her words had been, Rose sheathed her weapon and slowly approached Ruskali. The attacks hadn't hurt him, but the Nox had, as the bloodied gunk oozing from his mouth made all too clear. [color=ff4f61]"Ruski?"[/color] she whispered as he began to sob. [color=ff4f61]"Ruski, hang in there, we'll get help..."[/color]

She jumped as, with a wail of terror and anguish, Ruskali lunged at Cedar. [color=ff4f61]"No! Don't!"[/color] Ignoring her bashed up state, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Ruskali's shoulders to pull him away. Her stomach felt like she'd swallowed a shard of ice, and not just because of her risky move. This was the kind of outburst she'd seen in some other survivors. Violent reactions weren't as common as people who hated and feared former hosts seemed to believe, but when they did happen, it was paranoia that set them on.

Loosening her grip slightly to as not to worsen Ruskali's physical state, Rose thought back to the healers, to their calm, detached attitude. What would they do in a situation like this? Recalling something one had mentioned, she hummed a song she sometimes heard street musicians play. Holding a distressed person while humming could supposedly calm them with the vibrations. She tried to keep the tune gentle and even, but her breath juddered in her chest. Compartmentalising was all but impossible right now.