[nie huaisang also has his hair up, and he's abandoned his flowier layers-- yes, he's cold, but they're more to grab and more to get in his way. the cold isn't important right now. he doesn't know how much he wants to fight, especially with taako chosen and magnus' axe right there--

but then there's a pen in his hand. he looks down at it, silent briefly, before a soft and very eloquent:]

Shit.

[where is his easier, merciful death! his grip on it tightens as he shakes his head.]

Fine-- fine, then. Listen, if any of you care about last wishes-- get someone to stop looking the other way and heal Beau, already.

[and, looking warily to taako:]

...I don't feel like making her fight your friend with the axe if I kill you, but I'm not going to just let you stab me with that thing, either.