Broken Boulder no, i never sold my soul

a whine escapes him, pathetic and scared, ears laying flat as he accepts alarian's vitrol. it's earned. he doesn't try to defend himself, hunched over brilliance's weak form like a man at the gallows waiting for his end. alarian's call for queenie makes him wince -- she's going to be pissed at him, he knows, and the last thing he needs is more being yelled at -- but again he stays quiet until -- "i," he starts, horror dawning on his expression, but it's too late. he doesn't finish the thought before queenie arrives in all her furious (negligent?) maternal glory.

despite the fresh flood of anxiety her appearance brings he lowers his head over brilliance, guarding her protectively. before alarian can start his jumbled yelling (maybe) the androgyne says, "she's sick," his voice only trembling slightly, "she -- they all -- they aren't being fed enough, queenie."

take it away, guv'nor.