Brutal honesty had its soothing ways, especially in circumstances not allowing for any better promises to be made.
That said, Jade's declaration couldn't quite manage to erase the tension Ace felt, not with the knowledge of what was happening behind their backs and the muffled cries of desperation that occasionally cut through the ringing in the cadet's ears. It did, however, bring a ghost of a smile to his blood-stained features, a non-verbal acknowledgment akin to a grimace that would have to do for the time being.
Bringing back. Access to magic this powerful had always been considered a rare comfort to have, back in his world and Crystallis alike; most of the time, it wasn't even a choice, but a necessity to give that up if a mission required management of available supplies. Having not expected much for that reason alone, the boy was grateful for that act of kindness, even if there obviously existed more practical aspects to keeping the entire fighting team alive.
That's right. "Others." A shudder ripped through him as Ace spoke, in case the healer needed any more proof of futility of such temporary measures. It almost seemed like his body no longer absorbed the healing waves, the cold flowing in his veins completely different from the refreshing breeze he knew. "...'s fine.... Go."
Sephiroth was the only one he had registered, but there might have as well been more who had joined. More people that could potentially benefit from getting such treatment more than he did, at that moment. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a figure that he recognized as Terra, hazily wondering why the flower girl had chosen to make her appearance in the midst of it all.
Not just her. The blond's attention snapped back to the soldier keeping him in her ever-secure hold, unable to fight back the conflicting thoughts forming in the back of his mind. Not only she was putting her own life at stake, it was also not how he'd ever wanted to be seen, not like this. At the same time, it all felt so unnaturally long, so slow, to deny himself that tiniest spark of solace her presence brought him.
no subject
That said, Jade's declaration couldn't quite manage to erase the tension Ace felt, not with the knowledge of what was happening behind their backs and the muffled cries of desperation that occasionally cut through the ringing in the cadet's ears. It did, however, bring a ghost of a smile to his blood-stained features, a non-verbal acknowledgment akin to a grimace that would have to do for the time being.
Bringing back. Access to magic this powerful had always been considered a rare comfort to have, back in his world and Crystallis alike; most of the time, it wasn't even a choice, but a necessity to give that up if a mission required management of available supplies. Having not expected much for that reason alone, the boy was grateful for that act of kindness, even if there obviously existed more practical aspects to keeping the entire fighting team alive.
That's right. "Others." A shudder ripped through him as Ace spoke, in case the healer needed any more proof of futility of such temporary measures. It almost seemed like his body no longer absorbed the healing waves, the cold flowing in his veins completely different from the refreshing breeze he knew. "...'s fine.... Go."
Sephiroth was the only one he had registered, but there might have as well been more who had joined. More people that could potentially benefit from getting such treatment more than he did, at that moment. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a figure that he recognized as Terra, hazily wondering why the flower girl had chosen to make her appearance in the midst of it all.
Not just her. The blond's attention snapped back to the soldier keeping him in her ever-secure hold, unable to fight back the conflicting thoughts forming in the back of his mind. Not only she was putting her own life at stake, it was also not how he'd ever wanted to be seen, not like this. At the same time, it all felt so unnaturally long, so slow, to deny himself that tiniest spark of solace her presence brought him.