When he lurched but otherwise stayed in place, Kanikra sighed inwardly, and cursed the Kelvic for staying put. I told you he was smarter than you give him credit for, Raiha was glad to see that the bear hadn't taken the bait. Kanikra would be forced to move, rather than using the bear's charge against him, it would be up to her to do it. Raiha could feel her twin thinking, calculating, considering. And just as suddenly, Kanikra changed tactics, pressing one palm to her temple and shaking her head slightly, her knuckles going white as she gripped the handle of her suvai, the whalebone blade shaking. Her knees folded inwards and she hit the wooden floor of the room that they shared, and Kanikra released the suvai, pressing her other palm to her head, her fingers digging into her white hair. She had to make this convincing, after all.
"Goddess... I'm sorry," she whispered, eyes squeezed shut. "I'm sorry. I didn't..." She shook her head violently, as if to clear it, clenching her teeth, grinding them as she stayed there on her knees, rocking back and forth. "Sorry. She got out," Kanikra gingerly picked up her suvai, only to put it back in the sheath, and trying without much success to get to her feet. She wobbled a little, and Diallo snuffled at her before leaning his considerable bulk against her side to help her up. She'd see what that would do. And then she would think again.