#METAL THIS IS SO CUTEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[laslow]

Things are bleak. Things are very, very bleak. Even she can’t shine bright enough to ignore the darkness this time. But at the very least, it’s a comfort to see another familiar face here. Every person she can confirm to be safe lessens her worry a little.

"Laslow!” Nohrian Princess rushes to the side of her brother’s retainer, gripping her staff tightly in one hand and his sleeve in the other. She doesn’t think he’ll try to run from her, but she can’t risk it. People tend to run when there’s bad news they don’t want to deliver. Especially from her, in her experience. Though bad news she prays he doesn’t have to give.

“Have you seen Xander? Were you with him? Do you know if he’s okay? Are YOU okay?? Do you need healing??”

His leg hurts. Of all the places for that beast to strike, it just had to be the leg. And on the one day he's not wearing any of his usual armor, only loose, comfortable dancing attire.

Laslow leans a shoulder against the rough wall, sighing in relief as pressure eases off his many wounds. He'd love to lie down right down and let the sweet oblivion of sleep claim him. But war does not afford such a luxury, nor would it be of any help to those around him.

Still, they can hardly blame him for taking five minutes to catch his breath. He can't get the taste of ash out of his mouth, and it's growing harder by the moment to ignore all the memories such an achingly familiar sensation brings.

Elise's cry sends him bolt upright, hand curling around the hilt of his blade as he searches for danger. "Elise!" He replies above the thundering of his heart. The slight tug on his sleeve gives him pause, and then it hits him. She's seeking comfort, not warning of an imminent threat.

Relief floods through him. Good; one of Nohr's royals is mostly unharmed. He's yet to find the others. "I...no," he replies thickly. "I'm sorry, milady." Laslow swallows past the failure sitting like a lump in his throat. "But have no fear! Milord Xander is the toughest person I know. Perhaps he and Lord Leo are off rounding up the brigands as we speak."

He offers her a tight smile. "Who, moi? Laslow the Invulnerable? Why, of course I'm okay!" His leg twinges as if in protest. Huffing out a laugh, he winces. "...if you can spare the energy, I'd be most grateful."

Another pause. "How are you, Elise?"