That one actually wrong-foots the villager. Belligerence, he's prepared for. Arguments, a fight, throwing weight around--he can manage that. The threat of tears is something else. He at last looks uncertain, and darts a glance back toward the others--but there are fewer of them paying attention to their scene now, which means less support for him, and a higher chance that some sobbing girl will be able to make a new scene that will captivate.
Matthias has kept darting looks to them as well, at turns emboldened by Kitty's assurance and wary that something worse will happen while he's at work. He senses the moment that the power shifts between them, even through his concentration he can sense it--the villager pulling back, Kitty getting firmer, and stronger--like they're stood on two rocks, and some force has pushed at Kitty's, and given her the higher ground. The world feels like this when he's deep in. Like dreaming in the Fade might be, like he can see threads pulling at people. Or maybe that's his imagination, some old fuzz from being a child with a stupid soft brain.
In any case. He's better, now that there's no threat. Keeps the fire moving, raked over the snow, carefully skirting the rescuers and the imperiled until--count it--they're all free. And they're all breathing--there's injuries here and there, broken legs, someone with a blood all down his face and front--but they're alive, and everyone is calling to one another joyfully, digging those last few out of the snow. Matthias lets the last of the fire fizzle out, and go. His arms feel like they're full of water and his knees feel weak. He stays standing anyways.
The bearded man has stood nearby this whole time, like maybe he's thinking he'll act if either of them try anything. Now that it's over, he tries to recover some, and turns back to Kitty.
no subject
Matthias has kept darting looks to them as well, at turns emboldened by Kitty's assurance and wary that something worse will happen while he's at work. He senses the moment that the power shifts between them, even through his concentration he can sense it--the villager pulling back, Kitty getting firmer, and stronger--like they're stood on two rocks, and some force has pushed at Kitty's, and given her the higher ground. The world feels like this when he's deep in. Like dreaming in the Fade might be, like he can see threads pulling at people. Or maybe that's his imagination, some old fuzz from being a child with a stupid soft brain.
In any case. He's better, now that there's no threat. Keeps the fire moving, raked over the snow, carefully skirting the rescuers and the imperiled until--count it--they're all free. And they're all breathing--there's injuries here and there, broken legs, someone with a blood all down his face and front--but they're alive, and everyone is calling to one another joyfully, digging those last few out of the snow. Matthias lets the last of the fire fizzle out, and go. His arms feel like they're full of water and his knees feel weak. He stays standing anyways.
The bearded man has stood nearby this whole time, like maybe he's thinking he'll act if either of them try anything. Now that it's over, he tries to recover some, and turns back to Kitty.
"You clear off now," he says, gruffly.