Lys: Shock!

Aithne felt her hair jerked back and saw a shining point of steel come inches away from her throat. She gasped, and inhaled some of the water dripping down her face. Choking, she tried to pull back. At the same instant, the Guttersnipe released her and she tumbled back into the water.

She was struck dumb. It took her a long moment before she could respond to the Guttersnipe's words. "I... I thought..." She pushed her hair out of her eyes. "I was trying to get you to loosen up and have a few moments without the weight of the world on your shoulders. Sorry I frightened you."