Curled up against Skyfire’s back, Tsukishima tries to bite back the feeling of annoyance that flickers through him. Not at his companion, or even at the bats, but how much he needs to be protected for even just a journey through a cave. Now, he’s starting to understand why Kuroo was so intent on figuring out how to use a sword. When you can defend yourself, at least it feels like you’re doing something. At least he could see what’s going on.

Meanwhile, the bats flap about ineffectually, shrieking all the harder from being swatted at. One makes a daring dart to to try and bite the mechanical dragon, only to meet hard metal. Bewildered, each Bloodsucker starts to slowly retreat, although not without loud protest.

It’s when the screeches start to quiet, seeming suitably more echo than anything else, does Tsukishima slowly start to raise his head. “It sounds like they didn’t know how to deal with someone so big.”