Valetni busily begins doing his best to contain the mess. He coughs, as despite his ad hoc filter more of the substance is drawn into him, causing tiny microlacerations as they are sucked down into his respiratory system. Those fools, dilly-dallying at a time like this! He began to apply the solution, quickly exhausting his supply as the carped was eaten away and the stones below etched. Coughing, dry-retching he stumbled from the slowly expanding cloud, as it began to circulate it would be harder to contain, nearly impossible until it all settled. He pulled the rag to one side, spitting bloody phlegm. Already his head was pounding. He knew the symptoms, he knew what was happening, he knew what would come next and he knew how this would end.
'To the cleverest.' Well, it appeared this time he had out clevered himself.
Regret. A task, unfulfilled. Crying? No, if asked he it was just irritants in his eyes, and then gone on to describe how the lacrimal apparatus worked.
Lies.