It's still terrifying to behold. Like watching a stream of lava go around you rather than under your feet; the heat is still enough to scorch, even in passing.

But - he can't help the slightest hint of frustration there, a pale mirror of Piotr's own face. Dammit, he did give her all the opportunity he could. Distracting that woman to another potential target hadn't worked, obviously, but if Sonia had run, maybe the outsider would have settled for Miles instead of chasing after the princess. Or maybe not. But - he could have still run, dammit. The flicker fades quickly, though, replaced by guilt.

"Yes sir," he says, bitterness creeping into his voice. If she hadn't cared for him quite so much - if he hadn't told her who he was - "She saved me. The outsider we were fighting had me on the ground." He's lucky to just have bruised ribs.