[center][h1][b][color=red]A[/color][/b][/h1][/center][sub]Interactions: Val-[@Herald][/sub][hr][indent]A’s attack had been successful, a surge of triumph coursing through her veins. The man holding her cried out in pain, his grip loosening as he clutched his head in agony. She seized the moment, her heart pounding as she slipped from his grasp. The heavy dust cloud enveloped him, giving her the perfect cover to evade the rest of Vin’s men. All the while, blood trickled from her nose, a small price to pay for her newfound freedom.

The dust cloud was so thick it felt like a suffocating blanket, making it nearly impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. A activated her hematic rebreather mask, the device whirring softly as it filtered out the worst of the dust, allowing her to breathe more easily. The sounds of shouting and gunfire were muffled, creating an eerie, disorienting atmosphere that made her skin crawl. Every step felt like a gamble, her every sense on high alert.

[i]Stay calm[/i], A reminded herself, the mantra a lifeline in the chaos, keeping her focused. She needed to find VV and D, but the swirling dust made it nearly impossible to see anything clearly. She closed her eyes for a moment, relying on her Blood Sense, feeling the rhythmic pulsing of hearts around her, trying to distinguish friend from foe. Each heartbeat was a beacon, a clue in the disorienting haze. 

Suddenly, she sensed a presence close by, a heartbeat strong and steady. A turned, squinting through the dense dust, and collided with a solid figure, the impact jarring her slightly and sending a shockwave through her body. Instinctively, she stepped back, muscles tensing, ready to defend herself if necessary. She watched as he held a finger to his lips for silence, then threw a wink her way, a surprising gesture considering their situation. The message was clear, though: at least for now, he could be trusted. Additionally, considering she was still standing and unharmed, A took this as a cautiously optimistic sign.

A nodded her head in acknowledgment, her eyes never leaving his, keeping close to the man but maintaining a defensive stance. Trust was a fragile thing in these circumstances, but she had little choice but to follow his lead. [/indent]