@enfaith, phoenix: quiet works for me.
“ good. ” a curt, defining word that succinctly swallows them in silence. the mission had been messy but successful nonetheless—a triumph that isn't really a victory but rather a different kind of impasse. they’ve stalled another week or two, a month tops. at first yoru was here to use the protocol’s resources, he had his target and they had theirs, but he supposes it’s not a surprise kingdom had its hands everywhere it could. secrets were yanked out of their shadows while goals began to align with others and staying where brimstone can see him turned out to be convenient more often than not. his eyes shut then, feeling the swell of a bruise on his cheek from the butt of a guardian. it’s been getting more disorientating shifting dimensions, maybe he’s overdoing it—but before he can think too much on of his own issues it shifts to phoenix, wondering if the flames feel the same way. the thoughts sink him further back, to the dry air of rabat and the shots ringing loud through the corridors. a blaze of a person disappearing into nothing, a figure of momentary invincibility and the next time yoru sees him he’s half carried by breach with his clothes covered in sand and blood.
a team is a constant trust fall, relying on them to watch what you can’t see. respond to what you can’t hear. the unforgiving earth isn’t meant to be felt with a team, which makes the drop twice as brutal when they inevitably fall through. the door to the med-bay swings open to allow killjoy through, leaving them alone but no longer in silence with the quick words that shoot out of his mouth. “ don’t ask anyone to watch you again. i’ll do it. ”