And he shouts, stumbling backwards, raising his hands to his head to shield his eyes and ears from the flash and noise. His shouts turn into manic sort of laughter, half shock and half glee at the fact that she actually carried through with the threat.

It takes a while for the lack of actual heat and pain to register, but by that time he's collapsed against the far wall, lights still blooming in his vision and his ears ringing loudly.

"Now that," he says, louder than necessary, to compensate for the deafness in his ears. "That is some trick."