[ the kick lands true enough for she is not expecting it, and alisaie reels back from the force of it, wrenching her rapier free from riza's shoulder in the process, and none too gently.
but she recovers, fueled by adrenaline, anger, and fear and this time when she draws her sword arm back all of her force is building behind it, readying for the killing blow aimed straight for riza's beating heart.
but her cry of pain, so sharp and fierce, cuts through the fog in her mind. alisaie's vision tilts, the creature before her warping, melting, breaking apart and reassembling itself over and over in quick succession until at last there's a flash of recognition, what was once a twisted mask is now riza's familiar face, contorted with pain and - ]
Oh -
[ it happened so fast, less than the span of a second and alisaie's strike is already committed, her lunge half through by the time the illusion breaks. at the last moment she attempts to turn her blade away but there's no time - the blow that lands is not fatal, catching below her heart and between her ribs, a dangerous strike, but not immediately lethal, at least.
alisaie reels, her bloodied rapier falling from her hands to clatter on the floor, the mist clearing from her eyes to be replaced by shock and horror and when she speaks her voice is dry as parchment, tight with fear. ]
no subject
but she recovers, fueled by adrenaline, anger, and fear and this time when she draws her sword arm back all of her force is building behind it, readying for the killing blow aimed straight for riza's beating heart.
but her cry of pain, so sharp and fierce, cuts through the fog in her mind. alisaie's vision tilts, the creature before her warping, melting, breaking apart and reassembling itself over and over in quick succession until at last there's a flash of recognition, what was once a twisted mask is now riza's familiar face, contorted with pain and - ]
Oh -
[ it happened so fast, less than the span of a second and alisaie's strike is already committed, her lunge half through by the time the illusion breaks. at the last moment she attempts to turn her blade away but there's no time - the blow that lands is not fatal, catching below her heart and between her ribs, a dangerous strike, but not immediately lethal, at least.
alisaie reels, her bloodied rapier falling from her hands to clatter on the floor, the mist clearing from her eyes to be replaced by shock and horror and when she speaks her voice is dry as parchment, tight with fear. ]
Riza - oh Gods, oh no -
[ what have i done? ]