[ He can hear Red quite clearly in the distance, struggling with the minotaur and seeming to overcome it, if the monstrous wails of distress are any indication. Her subsequent rage-filled warning to the creature reminds him so much of what he'd seen in her mind only recently: Cerberus unleashed. If she can't control it here, he worries for her, what it will do to her.
She's safe for now, he has to tell himself. If only he could be with her and Vanessa at the same time, but he has to prioritize in the moment, and that means kneeling in close to tend to Vanessa. He pays no mind to the way she swats at him, understanding her disorientation and fear, but working to calm her as quickly as he can. ]
Vanessa, it's me, you're safe.
[ His voice is firm, husky with concern, decisive. He can't be sure how long she'll be safe, but he'll do whatever it takes. With her hand on his arm, the Doctor briefly cradles her cheek in his other hand, looking her over in a matter of seconds, trying to ascertain her injuries while also knowing they just don't have time. She's being grabbed at, pulled under, and he kicks and hits at the hands as hard as he can to get Vanessa free. ]
We need to move quickly. Please, let me do this. [ This, meaning, to lift her into his arms, while they have precious few seconds to spare as the undead hands briefly retreat from his assault. She may be able to stand and move easily in a moment, but right now, he can't risk her being grabbed again and the larger minotaur sounds like it's bearing down on them. From which direction, he can't be entirely sure. If she allows it, he'll lift her as delicately as he can, mindful not to jostle any unseen injuries, though it's likely unavoidable.
He quickly turns back to Red now, to look up ahead and make sure she's okay. ]
Red!
[ Tell me you're okay, tell me you've got it. You need to be okay, you have to be, his thoughts tumble through his mind in a rush of fear.
The bloodied minotaur appears gravely wounded and though he'd been ready to offer it mercy only a few moments ago, he feels a relief at knowing Red has done what he should have.
I'm sorry, he thinks, but doesn't say, because they don't have time for it. His mercy - he got it wrong, made a mistake, and now it's put them all in greater danger. ]
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She's safe for now, he has to tell himself. If only he could be with her and Vanessa at the same time, but he has to prioritize in the moment, and that means kneeling in close to tend to Vanessa. He pays no mind to the way she swats at him, understanding her disorientation and fear, but working to calm her as quickly as he can. ]
Vanessa, it's me, you're safe.
[ His voice is firm, husky with concern, decisive. He can't be sure how long she'll be safe, but he'll do whatever it takes. With her hand on his arm, the Doctor briefly cradles her cheek in his other hand, looking her over in a matter of seconds, trying to ascertain her injuries while also knowing they just don't have time. She's being grabbed at, pulled under, and he kicks and hits at the hands as hard as he can to get Vanessa free. ]
We need to move quickly. Please, let me do this. [ This, meaning, to lift her into his arms, while they have precious few seconds to spare as the undead hands briefly retreat from his assault. She may be able to stand and move easily in a moment, but right now, he can't risk her being grabbed again and the larger minotaur sounds like it's bearing down on them. From which direction, he can't be entirely sure. If she allows it, he'll lift her as delicately as he can, mindful not to jostle any unseen injuries, though it's likely unavoidable.
He quickly turns back to Red now, to look up ahead and make sure she's okay. ]
Red!
[ Tell me you're okay, tell me you've got it. You need to be okay, you have to be, his thoughts tumble through his mind in a rush of fear.
The bloodied minotaur appears gravely wounded and though he'd been ready to offer it mercy only a few moments ago, he feels a relief at knowing Red has done what he should have.
I'm sorry, he thinks, but doesn't say, because they don't have time for it. His mercy - he got it wrong, made a mistake, and now it's put them all in greater danger. ]