You barely notice the whispery ringing of Briar's wings, or the sympathetic murmurs from the girls. You're too busy feeling a sudden upwelling of hot, horrified FURY.

Something attacked Briar.

Something tried to eat her.

Something tried to eat your friend. Again.

And you. Weren't. There.

...

You will hunt that lizard-man down and KILL it, violently, then bring it back and kill it AGAIN, slowly, carving off the most useful parts for spell components, and saving the tastiest bits so you and Briar can EAT its scaly ass in properly vengeful ironic fashion. How DARE it hurt her! NO ONE and NOTHING is allowed to hurt one of yours-

Somewhere beyond the red haze, you hear a yelp.

Gained Intimidating C+
Gained Protective D
Gained Rage F
Gained Totem of the Raging Boar E

Closing your eyes and bowing your head, you let out a long, steady breath, and try to calm down. Briar is here, now, and she's okay, just kind of ticked at you - and rightly so. This is not the time or place for mindless fury.

"Alex?" a female voice asks cautiously. "You okay there?"

Looking up, you find that the girls have taken a collective step backwards, and are, to a one, regarding you with wide eyes, wary expressions, and the sort of posture that says they're ready to duck for cover or just bolt. Kind of like they're looking at an unexploded bomb that might still go off.

Your surging, red-tinted aura would do much to explain this.

"Ah, crap," you mutter, quickly reining in your power, which shifts back to its normal burnt gold hue before fading away. You take a moment to check your reserves, and discover with some surprise that your little display didn't cause them to diminish. You wonder why, but set aside the question for another time. "Sorry about that. Kind of... lost my head for a second there."

"We noticed," Cordelia replies dryly. "What with the glowing and the muttering and the presence of doom and all. Sheesh; if you're going to get that upset when Briar gets in trouble, stop sending her away."

"Thank you, Cordy," you say with a straight face. "I never would have thought of that if you hadn't suggested it."

She preens. "I'm helpful that way."

...she has to be messing with you. Right?

Putting that thought aside as well, you turn to Briar. "You're okay now, right, Briar?"

"I am."

"That's good. And, um, I'm sorry I sent you off to get attacked... and that I wasn't around to help when you needed it. Is there anything you need now that I can get you? Food, maybe, or a quiet place to rest?"

"We already ate," the fairy tells you. "But I could stand to catch a few winks."

Nodding, you seize on a sudden inspiration and weave a minor spell over your shirt pocket, attaching a small extradimensional space to it - "small" being relative to you. Compared to Briar, it ought to be a modestly-sized room, and one with the simple comforts of fresh air, a warm bed, and a soothing stillness.

"Oooh," Briar murmurs. "Is that what I think-?" She zips into your pocket, leaving neither a bulge in the fabric or a trace of her glow to mark her presence. After a moment, the fairy reappears, giggling. "It is! You figured out Mom's favorite spell! And without any prompting! That is so sweet!"

You've done what, now? "Um, you're welcome?"

Briar gives you a tiny hug.

Gained King of Women E++
Gained Magical Prowess C

"Now," the fairy says, as she drifts towards her new temporary lodging, "stay out of trouble while I'm resting. No more running off and being heroic. Alright?"

Still a bit dazed by her sudden mood swing, you resist the impulse to protest that you weren't being a hero, and simply nod.

"And try not to fly into any more vengeful rages, huh?" Briar adds, yawning. "I don't want you turning into the next coming of Pigface on my account. Besides, even if the Amazing Spider-Lizard did bend my wing, your master broke three of its arms and its tail before it ran off; that's enough revenge to suit me."

"Wait, what?" That thing is still alive?

But Briar has already disappeared into the pocket and the scaled-down room beyond, and does not hear your last-second protest. You're leery of disturbing her, lest she shift back into her prior ill mood. Glancing up, you see that the remaining females are smiling at you.