By this time her heart would be beating out of her chest, never had she been more grateful not to have it. Instead the fight or flight zinged her back to life sharpening her senses. Through the fog of panic, she heard the comforting voice of her friend, Thyone.
Her wide eyes started to relax, just a little back to normal. She was even able to laugh, a small thing laced with a hard edge. Looking full on to the brighter fallen angel she gave a nod, "I am sure." She even managed a smile. The others were strong, certainly stronger then she felt. When showing weakness meant you would be culled, or get others killed, it was hard to tell how strong anyone was truly.
It was horrifying to imagine she land alone in this strange realm of untold dangers. That was when the bird went over head and caused her wings to flare.
This time another voice helped put a lid on her rising panic. She heard Avner as much as she felt him near. Had he left her side and come back or just stayed? Focus. He asked her to focus and she had to focus for everyone. The thought wouldn't leave her mind, that she could get them killed. It played like a broken record or a taunting cat.
Able to put one hand out without shaking, she rested it on Avner's hand, the one on her shoulder. It was a conflicting moment for the young angel. Partly she was warmed that he cared and was reaching out to help her anchor herself back in the hear and now. Hear were new untold nightmares, not the ones she was familiar with, the unknown wasn't as liberating as she once thought.
On the other hand, she blushed with embarrassment, bitterly admonishing herself for showing such weakness. The thoughts always terrified her. That she was too weak and would be left behind, that she would slow everyone down. A the moment, the first was bringing her now end of shame. Looking down, she avoided eye contact as Avner continued to talk. "I'll be fine." She tries to protest pulling her posture up more further aggravating the muscles of her back.
Pulling her hands together in front of her core, she rubbed her right knuckles with her left fingertips. They were still white as a bone but she was starting to relax just a little. The small act was a soothing one, if only for a little bit.
Drawing her eyes back to Avner, she listened his plan. Talk of her slowing them up dried her throat out and caused her to have to swallow several times as beads of cold sweat ran down her back. Slowing down could cause so many issues. Lowering her head, she let her hair fall in place of her eyes. Seeing wasn't important, it was listening that mattered.
Anyone who wanted to live long knew to listen to Avner when he had a plan, he was very good at helping keep them alive. Understanding where she had to be, and that she had to push herself to keep from being an burden, Hachiko spared a look back to Thyone and Samkiel. She gave them both a small smile before looking back to Avner with the same still in place.
Maybe she could convince everyone, including herself that she wasn't a burden. "I have no questions." That was a lie, but to ask felt like whining.
Irish Night Fox
Fea Line
Strawberri Stardust