[ The flare of magic itself is momentarily overwhelming, not only blinding Howl but heating the air that he reflexively breathes in as pain shoots through his body a second time. The spear plunges through a dense protection of feathers to wedge itself between two ribs, and this time the screech it evokes from Howl is markedly gutteral and animalistic.
But... he's got him. He feels the weight and warmth of a body in his left talon. Gritting his teeth, he squeezes tightly as they start to tumble towards the ground again. The knife-like tips of each claw press hard into his soft belly; the more he tries to free himself, the deeper each point will dig into his flesh. Howl has no intention of letting go, not until this is over, not unless Estinien makes him. A mix of that determination and pain-fueled panic moves him to reach up with both hands and grasp the shaft of the spear stuck in his lower chest, although his purpose in doing so is undefined in the heat of the moment.
The one thought going through his head is the same it's been since he chose to pursue Estinien: to stop him. As the flare of the attack dissipates, Howl lashes out at Estinien with his free talons, aiming not for his head or vitals but for one of his dragon wing, to tear holes in the wing membrane and crush the wrist and snap the long fingers and arm bones. Even so, there's no time to process the most immediate threat to both their lives: the ground, as it quickly begins to rush towards them. ]
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But... he's got him. He feels the weight and warmth of a body in his left talon. Gritting his teeth, he squeezes tightly as they start to tumble towards the ground again. The knife-like tips of each claw press hard into his soft belly; the more he tries to free himself, the deeper each point will dig into his flesh. Howl has no intention of letting go, not until this is over, not unless Estinien makes him. A mix of that determination and pain-fueled panic moves him to reach up with both hands and grasp the shaft of the spear stuck in his lower chest, although his purpose in doing so is undefined in the heat of the moment.
The one thought going through his head is the same it's been since he chose to pursue Estinien: to stop him. As the flare of the attack dissipates, Howl lashes out at Estinien with his free talons, aiming not for his head or vitals but for one of his dragon wing, to tear holes in the wing membrane and crush the wrist and snap the long fingers and arm bones. Even so, there's no time to process the most immediate threat to both their lives: the ground, as it quickly begins to rush towards them. ]