[ Gentle but firm, with a quiet authority. It should probably be enough to stop Russell in his tracks.
Vangeance doesn't step any closer, though. He regards Russell in silence for a few moments from where he's standing; he's not smiling any more, and at this distance the mask erases any nuance to his expression, leaving only his focused gaze.
He doesn't know what Russell is thinking, of course. But he'd noticed the twitch of a hand, the jolt of shoulders, the faint shudder. The pallor to his face is painfully obvious, as is the way he breathes in quick rasps. Vangeance finally dips his gaze aside, speaking softly. ]
I'm sorry. It seems I've said something that upset you.
[ His grimoire flips back open at his side, and the pavement beside Russell glows a soft green. A sapling emerges from the ground the next moment, rapidly growing until it's just taller than Russell is, rustling as its branches spread into a protective canopy.
It ... smells really nice. Soothing. And Russell might feel an unnatural warmth radiating from it. Healing magic won't do anything for his trauma, of course, but it should at least lessen the physical strain he's feeling, and allow him a sense of comfort. It's the least Vangeance can do in this situation. ]
You shouldn't move if you're feeling unwell. [ Vangeance quietly shuts his grimoire and returns it to its pouch. His characteristic smile is back, but the mask hides the way he can't look directly at Russell, not at this moment. ] That spell will last as long as you're around it. Please stay as long as you'd like.
I'll be taking my leave.
[ He knows when his presence isn't wanted, and he doesn't begrudge Russell for it, not at all. But it wouldn't do to turn a blind eye to his obvious distress, either. So this is the best compromise he could think of. He'll return a little while later to make sure Russell has safely departed. ]
no subject
[ Gentle but firm, with a quiet authority. It should probably be enough to stop Russell in his tracks.
Vangeance doesn't step any closer, though. He regards Russell in silence for a few moments from where he's standing; he's not smiling any more, and at this distance the mask erases any nuance to his expression, leaving only his focused gaze.
He doesn't know what Russell is thinking, of course. But he'd noticed the twitch of a hand, the jolt of shoulders, the faint shudder. The pallor to his face is painfully obvious, as is the way he breathes in quick rasps. Vangeance finally dips his gaze aside, speaking softly. ]
I'm sorry. It seems I've said something that upset you.
[ His grimoire flips back open at his side, and the pavement beside Russell glows a soft green. A sapling emerges from the ground the next moment, rapidly growing until it's just taller than Russell is, rustling as its branches spread into a protective canopy.
It ... smells really nice. Soothing. And Russell might feel an unnatural warmth radiating from it. Healing magic won't do anything for his trauma, of course, but it should at least lessen the physical strain he's feeling, and allow him a sense of comfort. It's the least Vangeance can do in this situation. ]
You shouldn't move if you're feeling unwell. [ Vangeance quietly shuts his grimoire and returns it to its pouch. His characteristic smile is back, but the mask hides the way he can't look directly at Russell, not at this moment. ] That spell will last as long as you're around it. Please stay as long as you'd like.
I'll be taking my leave.
[ He knows when his presence isn't wanted, and he doesn't begrudge Russell for it, not at all. But it wouldn't do to turn a blind eye to his obvious distress, either. So this is the best compromise he could think of. He'll return a little while later to make sure Russell has safely departed. ]