Aleksandr reeled, off balance, boots resounding sharply against the marble floor, striking a hand out behind him, catching himself on the far wall.
His body wasn't responding as quickly as he was used to. Cumulative fatigue, unacknowledged hunger, stress, mental fog, the duration exacted in his vigil of stillness - all these things conspired against him now.
Inwardly it infuriated him, outwardly he struggled to resist and maintain cohesion. Maintain control.
Cheslav had stumbled in after him, and Aleksandr squared off against him as he righted himself, his posture defensive.
His hand slipped slightly on the cool Roman marble of the wall and his lip set harder.
His other hand reached up to rub jaw, absently, as he tried to keep his balance supple and anticipate Oleksei's next move.
The feeling of stubble was unfamiliar, distracting. He faltered slightly, as his legs weakened but gritted his teeth and flung his head back defiantly.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-02-27 08:07 am (UTC)His body wasn't responding as quickly as he was used to. Cumulative fatigue, unacknowledged hunger, stress, mental fog, the duration exacted in his vigil of stillness - all these things conspired against him now.
Inwardly it infuriated him, outwardly he struggled to resist and maintain cohesion. Maintain control.
Cheslav had stumbled in after him, and Aleksandr squared off against him as he righted himself, his posture defensive.
His hand slipped slightly on the cool Roman marble of the wall and his lip set harder.
His other hand reached up to rub jaw, absently, as he tried to keep his balance supple and anticipate Oleksei's next move.
The feeling of stubble was unfamiliar, distracting. He faltered slightly, as his legs weakened but gritted his teeth and flung his head back defiantly.