[ There's a long silence before Gen manages to find any words. But then again, there's much that can be gleaned even before he speaks -- the way his ragged breaths slowly level out, the rustle of fabric as his posture slumps, the scrape of tree bark as he slowly sags down where he'd been leaning against the tree until he's crouched on the ground. There's a quiet thump when he leans his head back against its trunk and heaves a long sigh; the tremendous relief granted to him by the shimmer is obvious in his expression and almost palpable in the way his whole body loosens, no longer ratcheted tight with pain.
And only then, he manages to look at Silco once more. ]
Tha -- ...
[ 'Thanks,' he almost says. He only catches himself at the absolute last second, biting back that word because he knows he shouldn't say it. Even if he can't help the swell of gratitude in the depths of his heart, his body overjoyed to be finally granted this reprieve. It's with great effort that he swallows back that sentiment that he knows he shouldn't be feeling, and instead changes tack. ]
-- how long. [ Ungrateful and brusque. But it's probably what's expected of him anyway, so. ] How long does this last?
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And only then, he manages to look at Silco once more. ]
Tha -- ...
[ 'Thanks,' he almost says. He only catches himself at the absolute last second, biting back that word because he knows he shouldn't say it. Even if he can't help the swell of gratitude in the depths of his heart, his body overjoyed to be finally granted this reprieve. It's with great effort that he swallows back that sentiment that he knows he shouldn't be feeling, and instead changes tack. ]
-- how long. [ Ungrateful and brusque. But it's probably what's expected of him anyway, so. ] How long does this last?
[ How long before it starts hurting again? ]