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Aerith Gast Gainsborough Captain
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 Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 7:35 pm
   To say she wasn't enjoying this would be a lie. She sounded less like a terrifying demon and more like a spoiled, know-it-all-child. "Maybe put your hair down, then? That style makes you look like a cute little bunny." She nodded with a grin. "Ah-ha...Um, actually..You are in need of anyone's advice right now. You're acting like a crazy child who's completely lost in the world. I blame that father of yours for that. So you see, you do need my advice, or anyone here you might trust, though since you are trying to hurt them, I guess you don't.." She glanced around, giving a little wave to Eirika and Tifa with her free hand, while the other remained on the 'defeated' no named girl. "I think you like this to much..see? Bunny likes petting!
" "I do! " She responded, how quick she was to respond with such anger might of proven enough that his attempts to get through to her were all useless. He would ether have to knock her out, or she would do it to him. It was just a guess of who it would be.
Again, Phoenix was left a bit disarmed when her sword went flying from her hands as Siegmund clashed into it.While the blade didn't break, it did fly out of reach from her. With Ephraim's determination to bring her down, she wouldn't have much of a chance to chase after the blade before she realized to late, he was already in front of her, and despite her strength, she could not stop him from his next assault as he lifted her up into the air, and slammed her right back down. Hitting the hard steel flooring wasn't something she could just shake off right away, her head hit pretty hard too! In the moment of daze and starting to feel the pain throughout her body, Phoenix had no possible way to stop him from pinning her again, and with the added pain to her stomach as his knees pressed down against it, it was a wonder if she could even try to move anymore.
Until...she heard those words. Her eyes went wide, fueled with intense rage suddenly, unlike the entire time of their fighting, she was completely out of control now! Her orders to not kill may of been completely ignored at this point..Ephraim's hope that it might knock her out of the hold she was in by the demon womans dark magic would take a turn for the worst, as the wings at her back burst into heavier flame, pushing her off the floor suddenly, the sudden jolt up would likely send Ephraim tumbling off her, and had it done so, she would go into a mad frenzy of punches and kicks, intending to do exactly what the no named woman asked. Take him down, but now, it would be much more violent..
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 11:04 pm
 ___ ___  _________   ___ ___ "I know I must place my duty as a commander above my life as a man. And once I am crowned, I most certainly will do exactly that.
However, I am not ready to divorce myself from my compassion just yet. I will find the balance somehow, the means to save my country and her people.
That is the king I wish to become, and so that is the man I must be." Ephraim was beginning to think that trying to get through to her verbally was a waste of time. But then, what method should he try? He didn't want to fight her all out and potentially deal permanent damage, or worse. He would have to try to incapacitate her--maybe one of the other Serenitians could get through to her mentally. And once he got her down, he had his opportunity. The problem was, the opportunity lasted far too briefly for him to try anything more than to cut off her oxygen, and just as he suspected, she had a way out of that with her superhuman abilities. He stumbled back away from her when she forced herself up and him off, which gave her just enough of an opening to land her first punch. Her petite size was such a serious trick Ephraim couldn't help but think as it felt like someone had swung a hammer at his face. He stumbled back further, feeling a bit dazed by the punch--but that was only the first. Her strength was on full display as she completely let loose, turning Ephraim into her personal punching bag as he tried to defend himself against the onslaught, and wasn't as successful as he would've liked. It was one last harsh kick to the gut that floored him while also doing what he had hoped to do to her--knocking the wind right out of him, and he let out a pained, weak grunt as his back hit the steel below. His grip on Siegmund was much weaker as he laid there, dazed and beaten. He could hardly see straight--hardly focus on anything.
It seemed that... Phoenix may have won this battle. (( OOC: ))
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Brave Restoration King Vice Captain
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Aerith Gast Gainsborough Captain
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2023 4:28 pm
フェニックスの平静
The second Ephraim's back hit against the steel floor, he would feel his wrist that held Siegmund stepped on harshly, the pressure alone was enough to cause him to release the spear, Though had he not, a foot would come down to his gut, and pressed painfully there. All that was left was to send him into complete unconsciousness, She didn't need her katana to land incredibly painful strikes, even deadly if done right. Though, this time would be to completely send him to sleep as she was told to do, and she raised her hand, flames engulfing it entirely before it would turn into a giant fist of fiery magic that she would bring down to strike him dead on in his already weakened state!
((ooc: ))
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:03 pm
_____________________"I know I must place my duty as a commander above my life as a man. And once I am crowned, I most certainly will do exactly that.
However, I am not ready to divorce myself from my compassion just yet. I will find the balance somehow, the means to save my country and her people.
That is the king I wish to become, and so that is the man I must be.""Ugh!" The shoe against his wrist gave Phoenix the desired effect as he was forced to release his weapon, leaving him beaten, broken, and defenseless. "Guh!" Then her foot moved to his torso, and he felt the small yet incredibly powerful princess stepping on him harshly. While he may not have won every sparring match he ever participated in, he had never felt quite so... utterly defeated before. ...Except perhaps against Ayaka, who put him down much quicker. Still, he was utterly at the corrupted Phoenix's mercy, firmly beneath her shoe, and he had no trump card to fall back on.
He had lost.
And nothing proved that fact harder than her next attack, which he had no way to resist. The strike hit him just as intended cleanly, knocking him out cold beneath the powerful princess. "...Ughh..." ...Or not? His head turned slightly, opening one of his eyes. "Is that... the best you've got?" He taunted, coughing up a bit of blood a moment later. "M-my mother hits harder than that, and she's dead." This certainly showed Ephraim's incredible resilience... still though, he certainly couldn't fight back in this state. One more strike and it would likely be lights out, the king decimated by the princess.(( OOC: ))
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Brave Restoration King Vice Captain
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Aerith Gast Gainsborough Captain
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:34 pm
   "Get away from him! " Came a voice from out of no where, as her shoulder was shoved into Phoenix, sending her away from Ephraim, and, as Phoenix stumbled back harshly, Ayaka's cyro fused blade would slice clean through the corrupted princess, it wasn't enough to be deadly, but it was enough to get the message through with pain and intense cold. Ayaka didn't know Phoenix yet, otherwise she might not of taken such measures to actually hurt her that badly, still, what she was doing to Ephraim clearly made her deserve that pain. It was just to bad it wasn't enough to snap her out of the demons hold of her. Phoenix for the moment, was just another enemy to deal with, until she learned the truth.
With the Cyro imbued blade, she didn't expect the results to be so....affective. Phoenix was stunned, between the pain of the slash across her body, and the pain of the intense cold, she could just barely move.Phoenix was ridiculously weak to the cold! She stood there, protectively in front of Ephraim now, her sword ready to make another strike if Phoenix made another move.
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:54 pm
_____________________"I know I must place my duty as a commander above my life as a man. And once I am crowned, I most certainly will do exactly that.
However, I am not ready to divorce myself from my compassion just yet. I will find the balance somehow, the means to save my country and her people.
That is the king I wish to become, and so that is the man I must be."Ephraim had never really been in the position to need protecting, so this was a rather new experience for him. He wasn't sure how to feel about it... Though granted, had he gone all out against Phoenix, the outcome would've likely been different, but he had obvious reservations about doing that. Still, he appreciated Ayaka's help, though now was hardly the time to think much on it. "Wait, don't hurt her..." He said weakly, forcing himself to lean up slightly. "She's our comrade... just... brainwashed somehow..." He grunted, reaching to pick Siegmund back up and use it to brace himself, hoisting himself to his feet. He still didn't look in great shape, but it was a testament to his resilience that he could stand at all--both due the powerful onslaught and especially the final attack she had done to him. "Her name is Phoenix, and she's stronger than this..." He said through gritted teeth. Though before they could continue, the entire ship suddenly jerked violently, and Ephraim instinctively reached out to grab Ayaka by the shoulders to keep her stable. That couldn't be a good sign... and then the ship began to spin a lot more violently as it began to lose altitude, alarms blaring all over the place as the ship was finally going down. Ephraim grunted, pushing past his pain and putting his arms around Ayaka just as protectively as she had stood in front of him moments prior, holding her close to him to shield her from any blunt force trauma that might result from the ship slamming into the ground. Regardless of the pain he had endured, he was still a man who felt the instinct to protect the woman in his arms--and he felt he could weather a beating better than she could besides.
And slam into the ground it did--luckily it was the ground, and not the side of the mountain. The ground below was covered in a thick blanket of snow that helped to cushion the impact to some extent. The Highwind certainly didn't explode, but it wasn't going to be flying again anytime soon. They had been thrown around quite a bit in the descent, though Ephraim continued to pivot his body to protect Ayaka, until at last they landed on the floor when the ship hit the ground.
"Ugh..." Ephraim sat up, releasing Ayaka who likely would've ended up on top of him as he tried to protect her from the fall. "Are you all right?" He asked with genuine concern. He glanced around, mainly wanting to ensure Phoenix wasn't badly damaged either--though with her wings, he doubted it. Some of the others had already started towards the exit to the airship, as it clearly wasn't going to be taking them back home in this shape."Ragh!" Eskallion shouted ferociously, parrying Caius's attack and morphing his other hand into his dragon claws, swinging them and piercing through Caius's helmet, before ripping it straight off his skull. Caius wasn't looking as powerful right now, as several chunks of his demonic armor had been torn off him and exposed his skin--the scales were still stronger than human skin, yet they were far from indestructible like his armor seemed to be.Caius stumbled back, looking behind him as the Avalanche members began to come out of the wrecked ship. He noticed two things quickly--one, that he no longer sensed his daughter onboard, and two, he sensed Ephraim was still alive. With parts of his skin exposed, he didn't like his chances even one-on-one against Ephraim, much less with so many adversaries also against him AND Eskallion here. He was smart enough to realize that he had no winning chance here. He grunted in frustration, casting hateful eyes at Eskallion. "This will be the last time I flee from you." He said angrily, before vanishing away moments before Eskallion could swing his blade at him."Damn!" Eskallion didn't know if he could defeat Caius alone, even though he seemed to have the upper hand in this battle, but with that monster-slaying weapon the teal haired one had, he thought they might be able to kill Caius this time. That was part of why he had intentionally been trying to peel off his armor rather than going for any sort of decisive killing blow. Still... At least the situation was resolved. ...Though it would've been better if the airship wasn't grounded.(( OOC: ))
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Brave Restoration King Vice Captain
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Aerith Gast Gainsborough Captain
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:44 pm
"Ah..I'm sorry.." Yes, so sorry for trying to protect him against someone who might of very well killed him! At least, that was how it looked in her eyes. It may not have shown on her face, but the anger she felt inside, seeing Ephraim in such a condition...it really, really bothered her. "Please don't stand, let yourself rest! I will try to do what I can, she seems to have a strong weakness to my Cyro, I will try to use it against her, maybe with enough cold affecting her, the magic will wear off of her? " If not, she would have to keep her cold enough until she decided to leave on her own, or until she, or someone was able to make her fall unconscious. Fortunate for Phoenix, she would not have to endure more freezing cold, as the airship suddenly began to shake and spin violently. This was..a decent time to flee, what with Ayaka here, she really didn't want to deal with her freezing magic. And, just as Ephraim took hold of Ayaka to protect her from the out of control, descending airship, she sent a fireball for the two, just before her wings would take her up, and she pretty much ripped right through the airship as it fell for the ground! Lucky for Ephraim and Ayaka, the fireball was not so precise, what with the falling airship, it would slam into the steel to the other side of them. Ayaka was left clinging to Ephraim as he held her so protectively, even in his weakened state, he still pushed through all the obvious pain to try and protect her! There may of been a added bit to her already racing, panic induced heart as she finally got to open her eyes, they were..still alive, and the ship was still mostly intact. Incredible, or a miracle, that they were all still alive with only bruises and scrapes to show of this terrible nightmare. "E-Ephraim...." She remained where she was, not even realizing...exactly..where she was.The first thing she did was look at Ephraim, her hand raising to softly, gently brush away a bit of blood from his forehead. She did this while still on top of him, her body leaned against him still while he leaned himself up. Silly, worried Ayaka did not even realize the position she was in still while her finger tips gently brushed along his face. "You're bleeding..after everything you've been through..you...." She..blinked...
Her face lit up to a sudden shade of red, and it wasn't due to the intense cold now rushing into the airship. "..A-Ah..! S-Sorry! " Her face reddened more as she tried to carefully scoot herself up off him. She seemed to be fine, thanks to him. Unless her sudden nervousness counted as not fine, then she wasn't. If only the situation wasn't so terrible and dangerous for all of them, it could have become quite the cute moment. "...Can you stand..? " She finally managed to ask, trying to push through her nervous, shy moment there. "Do you need me to find a healer?? "
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 10:05 am
_____________________"I know I must place my duty as a commander above my life as a man. And once I am crowned, I most certainly will do exactly that.
However, I am not ready to divorce myself from my compassion just yet. I will find the balance somehow, the means to save my country and her people.
That is the king I wish to become, and so that is the man I must be."Quite the wild ride down to the ground it was for everyone onboard the Highwind. It was fortunate that the ship didn't explode on impact, but it was left mostly inoperable at the moment. Still, that was a preferable alternative to anyone dying in the wreck. Ephraim was really putting his resilience to the test with both his beating at Phoenix's hands (literally) and intentionally taking all the damage of the airship falling to protect Ayaka from it. Not to say she didn't feel discomfort needless to say, but she was a lot better off than without his protection. As he leaned himself up, he also felt her lean herself down, forcing their bodies to press more against each other. And for once, he wasn't the oblivious one in the situation. "Ah... Ayaka..." He managed, his voice coming out a bit more nervous than usual as he felt some heat on his face. Though the heat only increased as he felt her softly, gently brushing her finger against his face. It was so tender, so gentle, so caring, that he realized he had been left rather speechless, and he also realized that he... really couldn't peel his eyes away from hers. Her actions to many may seem natural, yet they were so alien to Ephraim, someone who had been starved of intimacy and meaningful relationships his entire life--he only had his sister, and to an extent, Lyon. He was uncomfortable with being touched in general, yet the feeling of her fingertips brushing gently against his face... he felt such comfort. And a strong part of him yearned for more. And in that moment, as their faces were so close, he couldn't take his eyes away from hers. Like being lost in a sea he never wanted to escape, he almost felt like if he searched those eyes long enough, he may find the answers to all the questions he had ever asked--how he could become a good king, how he could become a better man, and... how he may find real happiness.
Yet the moment couldn't last forever, and Ephraim was left blinking in surprise as she hurriedly stood off him. Not surprise that she would do so, but surprise in how much... emptier he felt, both being separated from her, and even more so, no longer gazing into those pale blue eyes. What in the world was this feeling...? It was so unlike anything he had ever experienced. "N-no, it's fine..." He said as he finally found his words again, leaning up. Why was his heart beating so fast in his chest? And why, when he tried to look up into her eyes again, did it beat even faster? He had to avert his gaze quickly. He just... needed to calm down. This was hardly how a commander should be acting, much less a king! Gripping Siegmund once again, he would again use it to hoist himself to his feet, though he stood a little more firmly this time as he was no longer nearly unconscious. Oh no, definitely not after that little... heart-racing moment. He was completely conscious now. "I'll be fine, Ayaka. I appreciate your concern." ...And he really did. He wasn't just being polite. He wasn't just speaking to a comrade. He really... appreciated her concern. He appreciated... her kindness.
...He... appreciated having her next to him. Despite his condition, standing here next to her, he felt so strong... Like he could defeat every single enemy they had--Selene included--singlehandedly if it meant he could gaze into those pale blue eyes again. He would take on the world if only just to see her smile at him again.
...What was this girl doing to him? He really needed to speak to Eirika about this. Maybe she could shed some light on these feelings. She was a lot more socially apt than he was... "I-in any case... we should leave the airship with the others. Are you all right? Can you walk on your own?" Even though he was the one in worse shape, and he had taken the damage of the fall for her, he still simply couldn't help but worry for her.(( OOC: ))
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Brave Restoration King Vice Captain
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Aerith Gast Gainsborough Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:53 pm
Ayaka's gentle eyes came to meet his as she noticed he was looking at her, her innocent curiosity would lead to a moment that would have both of them lost in each others eyes. This was a new feeling to her, the warmth she felt as she gazed into his blue eyes was so comforting, she realized she didn't want to turn away. Rather, she didn't want this feeling to end. She would really love to feel those protective arms around her again. It was only due to their situation, that she would have to put these feelings aside, and try to let herself focus on what was ahead. They weren't exactly out of the woods yet, now, they had to think about surviving extreme cold and probably loss of food and water. "I..well, I would feel much better if you see a healer before we move to far. I won't be able to stop worrying! " That was for certain, even more so now, she just wanted to make sure he was okay. ."A-also...Ephraim.." That blushing face probably wasn't going to go away anytime soon, and it would become even more noticeable once they got out there, in the white thick snow! "..Thank you...We may have only known each other for a short time...though, I feel as though I've known you longer. " She said, through her blushing face, Ayaka smiled kindly at him, and as those eyes met his, she felt her heart pick up again! "When i'm with you...I feel so safe..so comfortable." While she was such a loved young woman back in her world, she still found herself uncomfortable in a lot of situations, it was hard to believe that such a kind woman could have such a difficult time around people. Yet, with Ephraim....she felt nothing but comfort. A comfort she didn't want to part from..
For now, though, she would have to get moving, wouldn't she? "Ah...! Y-Yes..We should make sure everyone else is alright.." She nodded softly with a gentle smile. "Mm, I'm fine. Thank you, Ephraim..:"
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Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 5:48 pm
_____________________"I know I must place my duty as a commander above my life as a man. And once I am crowned, I most certainly will do exactly that.
However, I am not ready to divorce myself from my compassion just yet. I will find the balance somehow, the means to save my country and her people.
That is the king I wish to become, and so that is the man I must be."After the Highwind hit the ground, Ephraim and Ayaka would be among the last to emerge into the snowy expanse that awaited them. Though the air was certainly brisk, it could be much worse. Still, it would be a long hike, he supposed. Though he was about to take a step forward to join the others, the wind splitting near his left ear was all the warning he received before he quickly pivoted his body, narrowly dodging a blade before he would turn, thrusting Siegmund's blade straight into the foe's torso, who he quickly recognized was Caius, missing several parts of his armor. The bracelet on Ephraim's right wrist shone as he struck, and had anyone been paying attention to Ephraim's wounds, they'd see them partly close, as though something had healed him at the same time as strike. Caius stumbled back with a pained grimace, and though Ephraim stepped forward to go back on the offensive, Caius's eyes snapped to Ayaka, and Ephraim noticed, quickly instead assuming a defensive posture in front of her."So touchy..." Caius said lowly, amused. "Do you believe you can protect her while trying to fight me?"'Do you believe you can escape death fighting me head-on without your armor?" Ephraim retorted without missing a beat. "Try it and see. I'll gladly provide you with a messy end to your sorry life.""Heh..." Caius covered the entry wound Siegmund had made, unable to escape the intensely torturous burning sensation its sacred power inflicted upon demons. "Good response, Ephraim of Renais. You're the only human who has ever managed to earn my respect. Your talents are wasted with this sorry group, though. Don't you seek power? The power of a demon is unmatched, and I can-""I don't generally consider it a cunning strategy to jump to a sinking ship." Ephraim responded dryly. "Besides, being a demon can't be all that pleasant. You keep losing to me because of it." Well, that was one reason. Another was Ephraim being able to outsmart him and get around his nearly indestructible armor. Luckily, he didn't even have to do that this time."Be smug all you like. Can you really consider this a victory? I still have the princess under my control.""Where the hell's my daughter, you b*****d?" Eskallion began to walk aggressively towards Caius, though he was stopped by Ephraim holding out his arm to prevent him from advancing too close."Are you sure about that?" Ephraim questioned with an almost knowing tone of voice. He knew he was trying incite an emotional reaction, which was one reason he stopped Eskallion, but there was another reason, too. He wanted to confirm something. "Phoenix could have tried to kill me several times, but she was doing exclusively nonlethal attacks. Are you so certain your hold over her is as strong as you believe? Why would she hold back if so?"..." Caius stared into Ephraim's eyes for several moments, as if trying to search for if he was lying. Though unfortunately, he couldn't probe minds any longer. He had lost that aspect of being a Serenitian when he traded that for his demonification. "...Good ruse, King Ephraim. But my daughter's corruption can't be fought off using willpower. It isn't possible for anyone to resist it."I knew it. Ephraim's pose relaxed slightly. "I thought so. Your daughter is responsible for the corruption, which means she's giving Phoenix orders. So then, why didn't Phoenix try to kill me?" Caius fell into silence for several seconds. "...Bad response, Caius." Ephraim threw his earlier response right back at him. "It sounds to me your daughter isn't as fixated on slaughter as you are. Perhaps you should try to make sure your one follower is actually following you before you try recruiting me, fool.""Silence! That's not possible. Why in the world would she want to protect you?""I doubt she cares about me. But she knows Phoenix and I are friends. Perhaps she doesn't want Phoenix to hate her if she loses the corruption. She wasn't protecting me, she was protecting Phoenix.""...!" There was suddenly realization in Caius's cold eyes. Just as Ephraim said she was protecting Phoenix, his memory flashed back to when she did exactly that--even struck him to keep him from forcing demonification on Phoenix. She was protecting her.
"...Rrrgh!!" He let out in frustration, before vanishing once again."Hey!" Eskallion stepped forward, but was once again too late to prevent him from warping away. "Damn!" He turned back to the group, eyes narrowing. "I have to find my daughter. I'm sorry to go now, but I can't waste any time." His dragon wings extended out of his back, and he shot up into the air like a bullet."...Well, there goes the only person who can fly." Cloud muttered as his wound in his arm was being treated. "Anyone have any better ideas?""...You said your friend was around here, right? The Barret guy?" Zack asked."..." Cloud sighed. "Yeah, in Icicle Inn..." He didn't like where this was going."Well, we need to find the recon team before we can find a way back regardless. We'll talk about it on the way." Might be a bit of a hike up the mountain...(( OOC: ))
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Brave Restoration King Vice Captain
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Aerith Gast Gainsborough Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:28 pm
] Ephraim's reflexes were certainly something, even she didn't notice Caius until Ephraim countered his attempt to strike him down. He must have been desperate, or had such a hate for Ephraim that he would take such a chance while he was still so exposed with bits of his armor missing. "Hmm? ...Hehe, did he just assume I needed protection? " She glanced into the demons direction from behind Ephraim, she would give a little try at reverse phycology, while she was very skilled herself, she wasn't likely able to do any damage to him. But he didn't need to know that. Her confidence would just throw him off a bit into thinking maybe he didn't want to try anything against her, had such idea's came to his little demonic head.
Eventually, he would take his angry leave, and she would think for a moment.. "His daughter isn't without her faults and wrong doings, but I have a feeling she might be the one in danger now..He seemed very angry...will he take that anger out on his daughter for going against him? " That seemed like the only option he would do..
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