The moment that direct control over the Shard is taken by Emet-Selch, a wave of nausea hits Howl. The young wizard takes a half-step away, caught off guard by the unexpected sensation. As the seconds start to pass, the unease gets worse, almost painful, and by the end of Emet's comments, Howl feels as though he's going to be hit with a migraine any second.

"R-Right, then," he quickly says. "That sounds like a confirmation to me." As unpleasant as the sensations are, his outward reaction isn't more than that first movement away and the unnerved look on his face. Without waiting, he snatches his Shard back from above Emet-Selch's hand and holds it in a closed fist against his chest.

Immediately, the miasma subsides. He lets out a long sigh of relief. "...You were right not to want to give me yours. That felt... terrible. I guess we shouldn't let others hold them?"