RP:Answer The Call
Summary: Lanara is at the Whaler’s Bar and overhears a group of men making plans to ambush a woman in the back alley the following night. It seems that a beautiful blonde vixen has been flirting with men and luring them into a trap! At least three men a week end up robbed of their belongings and beaten to a bloody pulp! The witch wants to scope out any possible ‘competition’ and so she hides out and waits for the ambush to take place. To her dismay, the woman that’s behind all of this is none other than her frenemy, Aira! She steps in to help the huntress and after the men are dealt with, the two have a conversation. The offer of a new family and profitable schemes is given to Aira, before Lana passes on word to Leoxander. It seems they have a new recruit!
This is a Rogue's Guild RP.
(Post 1 of 2) Lanara had heard the group of men yammering the night prior, as she had been playing a round of darts with some sucker foolish enough to place a bet. She had won, not quite fair and square, as her magic had insured a bullseye every time. And so, as the balding bastard had returned to his table and gloated about her fine arse and how she had ‘beginners luck’ she found herself mildly amused. However, that grin faded from her face as the other men began to chime in about her Goddess given assets, and she had prepared to leave. The denim jacket was in her hand and the rest of her ale had been drained, but it was then that one of the men cleared his throat and commanded the attention of those at his table. “Guys. Look. We have to take her out. That bitch bloodied twelve men last month, and five this week! All we know is that she has blonde hair and she’s vicious as hell! Poor Eric ended up with a mouthful of sewage and lost all of his teeth. And remember Phokar? She robbed him of all his poker chips and she stabbed him so many times that he is -still- in critical condition! His wife said they don’t think he’ll make it! And that’s not even mentioning the men that walked away with just a few broken bones or bruises. She stole my brother's last hard earned cent and she broke both his hands. How the hell is he supposed to milk cows and churn butter without his hands?! These are good men, like us, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her keep going on with this charade!” And so, the plan unfolded and the witch had listened closely, devising a plan of her very own.
(Post 2 of 2) After activating the pendant, Lanara’s form is cloaked in shadows, and so she moves through the night without fear of being discovered. There’s a narrow space between two buildings, and she squeezes in, peeking out at the dead end where the blonde has been known to take her victims. She’s clad entirely in black; long sleeve shirt, pants, knee-high boots, and her hair has been pulled into a long ponytail. Using her enhanced senses, she catches the scent of two people nearing her location, and her chocolate hues dart down the street. She can see better than an average human, but it’s still fairly dark, and she dares not use magic and give away her hiding place. Lana isn’t even certain why she’s here, but her curiosity often causes her to do foolish things. Is she scoping out the possible competition? Perhaps she wants to help this woman? Or maybe, she’s hoping to recruit another to the band of troublemakers that she has given her loyalty? Does she even have a motive, other than being a busybody?! Whatever the reason, Lana focuses on the form of a tall woman that’s walking beside an overweight man. He’s swaying a bit as he walks towards the dead end, likely thinking he’s going to get lucky with the beauty behind the dumpster. They aren’t alone, as the sound of a bat pressing against one's palm vibrates in her tapered ears, and so Lana shimmies along the length of the buildings and takes a peek down the other alley. The group of men have doubled since last night, as there are now eight that are intent on taking out the blonde that had wounded their friends bodies and egos. It won’t be an even fight, this much is true, and the witch sighs as she finds herself silently rooting for the underdog. Slowly, she shimmies back along the narrow space, the bricks against her back slightly tearing at the fabric of her sweater. Lana sees that the blonde and the man seem to be talking and are pressed against the empty dumpster, but it looks like the man is leaning in for a kiss! The cue will be given to the others any moment from now, and although he’s drunk, it seems that the man hasn’t forgotten the plan. His hand delves into his pocket, and if the blonde doesn’t reciprocate the kiss or gets violent, he will hurl a sound grenade down the length of the alley.
(Post 1 of 2) Aira :: It had been a brief respite, if several years can be called a respite. Despite growing up in a home with a family, Aira never belonged, so she felt like an outsider. Even after she left Rynvale, she embraced a life of solitude until she met a certain hunter. Years of tutelage, hunting, and bonding had all but dissipated months ago when the vixen woke up in the lodge by her lonesome. There were several weeks of personal weakness while she waited for him to return, but it became clear that she was once more on her own. She did her best to play it off like it was no big deal, never liking to appear vulnerable; however, the pain of her abandonment left a permanent ache in her chest. Staying in Frostmaw only contributed to the blow she felt and so she moved down the mountain and out east to Cenril. She was at home near the coast, having grown up on an island, and there was a whole underbelly of black market and debauchery for her to take advantage of. Somewhere along the way the huntress turned feral up the mountain so it took a bit for her to acclimate to society once more. She was no stranger to killing (did she not have an impressive belt of skulls?), but what she hadn't suspected was the anger that had boiled up inside of her and her thirst to make others feel what she did--pain. Drunk men were an easy target. It started with just one--some flirty banter and coins slipped unknowingly from his pocket. It was simple and far easier than she could have imagined. Those stolen coins were put to use in polishing up her appearance and securing a more feminine, revealing attire (which she was not accustomed to). One man became two and two became three until she had a dozen men fall under her charms. But stealing money from them did not spark the type of joy she thought, it didn't dull that ache. The violence started when one man, Eric, had tried to put his hands on her and she reacted by colliding her fist with his mouth. Her bloodied knuckles were a minor price to pay to feel the exhilaration she felt in seeing him roll on the ground in trash, mouth pooling with blood, teeth cracked and broken.
(Post 2 of 2) Aira lost track of the amount of men she had coyly drawn in only to fell them in the alley. Her violence had even escalated from physical combat to weaponry--she was becoming quite proficient with her knife. Unfortunately, in her lust for blood, she became complacent in remaining inconspicuous. She was getting sloppy. And with working alone that was a dangerous combination. Aira left the club with an obnoxious man who had been pawing at her for weeks--she had played the long game, playing hard to get. Her hips swayed back and forth as she laughed at some terrible joke he whispered in her ear. She wanted to vomit as he slung his meaty arm over her shoulders but she played it off as no big deal. They were approaching the dumpster and despite her own heightened senses, she was so focused on her target, she didn't pick up on the others waiting to take their revenge on her. The man pressed her into the dumpster and suddenly leaned down for a kiss. She had intended on waiting longer before her own attack, but she wasn't about to let this man slobber all over her! With fast reflexes, the huntress grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt. He was excited, thinking that she was encouraging the embrace, only when she tugged him closer she swerved out of the way, causing his face to make contact with the side of the dumpster. His nose made contact with the corner and blood immediately began to gush. "Pig!" Aira hissed as she aimed a kick at the back of his knees causing him to tumble to the ground. The man grunted and choked on his blood as the huntress loomed over him, a murderous look in those copper eyes.
(Post 1 of 2) Lanara squints and sticks her head out slightly from behind the wall, still camouflaged by the shadows. The moonlight filters into the alley and brightens the dumpster, flickering beams of light upon the intimate moment between the couple. However, that intimate moment is nothing more than a ruse, because in a flash of fists and wits, the woman has pushed the male off of her and broken his nose. At that precise moment, the sound grenade flies from his hand and glides halfway down the street, before a blaring siren emits and alerts the group of vengeful men from the adjoining alley. Lana whimpers, because the screeching noise is a nightmare to her sensitive ears, and she desperately wants to find the mage that had enchanted that sphere to release such a hellish sound. The things she would do to that mage are horrific, and as she’s getting rather riled up with the thought of her own revenge, the blonde and the man seem to be readying for another round. Dumpster Dave, as Lana has dubbed him, stumbles to his feet and shakily sways in place. He isn’t going to let some woman just manhandle him and claim another victory this week! He swings wildly, aiming punches for her midsection, despite the blood that flows from his nose and the terrible ache behind his knees. She had gotten him pretty good, but he’s determined to make her pay, even if he’s a bit off balance and his vision is blurred from all the pain. “I’m going to kill you, Wench!” He’s so angry that he’s spitting, as he attempts to roundhouse kick the blonde, “Let’s see how you like going in the dumpster!”
(Post 2 of 2) The group arrives and they race down the alley, jeering loudly and holding their fists in the air, as though they are seasoned warriors going into battle. Lana shakes her head and inches out a little more, because she likes watching a good beat down. Also, because she wants to see if this woman can handle herself against a group. It’s doubtful. Especially because two of the men are nearly three times the size of the blonde. One male has twin daggers and he expertly swirls them through the air, before maintaining a defensive pose. Another brandishes a rusted knife, while the big guy rounds up his bat as though he’s going to play baseball with the woman's head. One man is quieter than the others and he’s wearing a robe, obviously a magic user, as Lana can practically feel his aura oozing into the area. Is that the jerk that made that sound grenade?! She growls, but it goes underheard, as the rest of the men approach the blonde and their badly beaten buddy. Lana doesn’t see any other weapons, but four guys brandishing fists of fury is enough to take out the woman alone, let alone the ones with weapons and the mage! The moon shifts slightly and it’s then that the witch gets a good look at this femme fatale and she swallows hard, her brown eyes growing even bigger. Aira?! Her frenemy since forever?! Lana steps out from the safety zone, still cloaked in shadows, prepared to defend her friend; to the death if necessary.
(Post 1 of 2) Aira isn't afraid of this one, half-drunk man. His unsteadiness is something she can use to her advantage. She backs away a few paces to give herself room to counter any attack when the magical siren goes off. The huntress's hands clamp over her vulpine ears and she squeezes her eyes shut as if that will help ease the ringing in her ears. Despite the deafening sound of the wailing, she can make out others--stampeding feet and grumbling, angry voices. She forces herself to straighten in time to see a gaggle of men running down the alley, effectively cornering her. Her eyes shift from one to the other as she quickly sizes up their statures and weaponry. Most seem to be without weapons, relying on their brawn, but there are two with knives, one with a bat, and another cloaked figure that could only mean magic. It is the latter she is most concerned about, not having any arcane blood running through her veins, but before she can so much as formulate a plan, her original target stumbles forward and aims a round-house kick to her face! Thankfully, his aim is a bit off and she is able to dodge out of the way, ducking and sweeping her own leg out to fell him once more.
(Post 2 of 2) The man with the rusty dagger approaches next and it is clear he has some skill despite his subpar weaponry. He backs Aira up against the dumpster and swings with his left hand and then his right. Aira manages to avoid the first swipe but the second one opens a sizable cut along her cheek, immediately tearing her skin and causing a waterfall of blood to cascade down her face. The huntress sees his sneer and she returns it with a scowl, grabbing his wrist as he attempts another stab and twisting his arm back and yanking up in such a way as to force him to drop the blade. She quickly kicks it under the dumpster and pushes him away just as the largest man moves in and sucker-punches her in the gut. The air whooshes out of her and the huntress doubles over and stumbles backwards as she tries to catch her breath. Only, a second man catches her by the hair and yanks her head all the way back. "This is the end for you, -sweetheart-," he says with a sickening smile. He is about to deliver a devastating blow to her face when suddenly his eyes go wide and the blood drains from his face. He hadn't counted on Aira having her own blade which was now nestled deeply in his abdomen. Aira looks up at him with a hardened stare and gives the knife a twist and the man grunts as he sinks to his knees. His hold on Aira's hair relaxes as she pulls out of his grasp, taking her knife with her.
(Post 1 of 2) Lanara slowly saunters down the alley, feeling for the stiletto dagger that she has nestled in her boot, as she tauntingly pokes the massive man with the bat on his shoulder. He turns around and sees no one there, so he glances upwards to see if perhaps a bird has shat on him. It’s this fatal mistake that gives the witch an advantage as she balls her hand into a fist and punches him square in his throat, before she sidesteps to the right. The man feels his air supply dwindling as he gasps and clutches his throat, unable to even unleash the simplest of obscenities. How is he supposed to fight someone that’s invisible? The bat is raised and he wildly swishes it from side to side, and Lana easily ducks and dodges all of the attacks, though her teasing giggle fills the air. He’s not the brightest in the bunch, but he’s probably the one that has the most rage, and perhaps the witch is having -too- much fun at his expense. He aims to swipe to the right, but it’s a feint, and so as Lana is preparing to leap to the left she is struck in the stomach. The wind is knocked out of her, nearly as bad as the man from that wicked throat punch, and she falls onto her back. Instinctively, her arms cover her middle and she glares up at the man who swiftly brings the bat down again, this time striking her in the left knee. A pained howl fills the air, before Lana pushes herself to her feet and aims a swift kick to the man's privates. It’s the end of him, as far as she is concerned, because he has hurt her, and any man that manages to harm her must pay with their life. There is no doubt in her twisted mind, so she snags his wrist, and uses every ounce of her strength which is magnified thanks to the wolf within. The wrist snaps and his bone protrudes, the two of them shrieking in horror, but Lana is intent on shutting him up for good and so she forcefully brings his own wrist to his throat and fatally stabs him in the jugular. Blood sprays onto the fair elf’s face before the man collapses on the ground, and she deactivates the pendant, as she no longer wishes to conceal her identity. A glance is offered to Aira, as she tends to the man with the rusted knife, but it looks like two more burly men are advancing!
(Post 2 of 2) Heeled boots click against the pavement as she calls upon the element of Fire and two flaming spheres rotate above her palms, and the mage turns to lock eyes with the witch, before he conjures two ice balls. “Opposites attract, I’m told.” Lana hurls the first fireball at his legs, while the second follows and is aimed at his head. Should he duck or jump, he will still be struck, and she cackles as his robe catches fire. The mage awkwardly shakes the robe from his frame and uses one of his own ice orbs to heal the scathing burn on his thighs, while he tosses the other one at Lanara. The witch doesn’t even hesitate as she counters with a spell of her own, one of electricity, and so a blue ribbon dances through the air and catches hold of the ice sphere. It magnifies thrice it’s size, before it chases after the mage, dangerously coming closer and closer until the man cannot escape. He’s pinned against the wall of a building, anxiously clawing at the bricks, as the ball strikes him in the chest and his tunic ignites. Lana takes pity on the man once he begins to seize and foam at the mouth, and she calls off the spell, grounding her energy and thanking the Goddess for her assistance. The man cannot form words, let alone issue another attack or defense, and so Lana leaves him there as the electrical current fades from his form. The witch sprints ahead and is about to help Aira out with the assailants, but it looks as though she’s handling it quite well. However, the man with the twin daggers is also watching and waiting, and he sneers at Lana, “Wait. I will take -both- of you, once she’s done with them.” His arrogance will be his undoing, she thinks, but Lana nods in consent and catches her breath. It’s a bloodbath in the alley, and she knows that Aira and her have to get out of here fast, before they are wanted for murder.
(Post 1 of 2) Aira. Is. Furious. How -dare- these men have the -audacity- to bum rush her in the alley! Sure she had disabled, disfigured, and killed their comrades but that was their own faults for being so thick skulled! They deserved it! The huntress turns to two men who are approaching, fists raised and ready to fight. Aira swipes her bloodied knife on her trousers to clean the blade as she holds her sanguine soaked chin up in defiance and rushes at them. They are momentarily taken aback by her boldness, and cast a sideways glance at one another before they meet her head on. Aira aims the blade at the man on the right who quickly grabs her hand in both of his to protect himself--only this is exactly what she wanted. Using his hold as an anchor, the vixen swings her legs up and catches him in the side of the head. "Bitch!" he yells as he stumbles to the side, clutching his ear. But Aira was already using her momentum to fall to the ground and take the other man with her. They roll over one another and grapple for a moment but eventually the huntress lands on top, straddling his chest and pinning him to the ground. She doesn't hesitate to pull her arm up over head and slam down with all her might, stabbing him right through the eye.
(Post 2 of 2) His screams of pain and horror are music to her vulpine ears but her pleasure only lasts a second when the man she had kicked lunges at her and tackles her to the ground. She doesn't have time to react and he has her arms pinned above her head and his knee pressed into her chest. "This is the end for you!" he seethes, spittle flying on her face. "You have messed with the wrong group of men!" He releases one of her hands to draw his fist all the way back only to follow through and punch her as hard as he can. A sickening squelch can be heard and Aira falls suddenly still. The man studies her for a moment to make sure she is really gone, waiting for her chest to raise with breath, only it never comes. He laughs in triumph and calls out to the others. "We did it! The bitch is finally dead! She's de--" His cheers are cut short and a gurgling replaces his words. Sticking out of the side of his neck is Aira's knife--apparently the vixen had only been playing dead. She pushes herself to a stand and sways a little, but yanks the knife free effectively causing him to choke on his own blood as he crumples to the ground. "Surprise the bitch is still alive!" she hocks a wad of bloody spittle and spats it in his dying face. Turning to face the others, Aira blinks in surprise to find none other than her frenemy standing there! Where did she come from?! "What the hell are you doing here?" she calls out, not accusatory, but more in shock. Her copper eyes shift towards Bat Boy and the mage and she admires their broken, destroyed bodies. "Nice," she compliments the other woman with an approving smirk.
Lanara pales when Aira’s body goes still and it looks as though she’s not breathing. The fight literally leaves her body and the man is thinking that he has avenged the deaths of his comrades, but he’s sorely mistaken. As that knife pierces his neck and he chokes on his own blood, Lana steps nearer to Aira and rolls her eyes at the inquiry, “Saving your ass, that’s what I’m doing here! Like I could just sit there and watch? All creepy, like knife-boy over here?” She uses her thumb to point to the dude with the double daggers, who happens to be tantalizingly licking each blade and sizing the women up. The witch doesn’t appear to be intimidated by him, but she -is- slightly concerned about the sudden activity a few blocks over, as there seems to be a group forming. Did someone call the Guards? Are they going to be arrested? Time is of the essence, and so Lana nudges Aira, “Let’s finish him quick? Then we will race to the bathhouse to wash all this blood off and have a little chat?”
(Post 1 of 2) Aira looks affronted as Lanara explains that she is saving her ass. The huntress scoffs in indignation and shakes her head. "Like I couldn't handle it myself?" She gives the witch a conspiratorial wink in silent appreciation for her help. Aira is arrogant to a fault and she does believe she could have handled the men save for the mage easily enough, but she's still thankful her frenemy was here to expedite it. The cacophony of noise a few blocks over draws her attention and she frowns. Lanara's nudge draws her back in and she gives a firm nod. "Let's get rid of this asshole," she agrees before the women advance on the man who is still watching them with an unnerving excitement. "You go left, I go right?" she suggests but darts off without waiting for an answer. With both women rushing him from each direction, both having exhibited proficient skills in fighting, he's not entirely sure who he should attack first but he instinctively turns toward the witch--clearly concerned with her ability to fight physically and with magic! With an expert backhand swing of his arm he attempts to cut the beautiful woman across the throat. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the luxury of waiting to see if he makes his mark because he immediately twists around to throw his second blade at Aira. She wasn't expecting him to release one of his weapons and she yelps in surprise as it cuts her upper arm through the thin fabric of her blouse and she instinctively drops her own knife.
(Post 2 of 2) Using her surprise to his advantage, he kicks out his leg to keep Lana at bay while swiping at Aira again. She should keep her distance to reorient herself but without her knife she has no choice but to move in on him. The exertion of the fight is taking its toll and the adrenaline is starting to wear off. The huntress taps into her last bit of strength to lunge at the man and wrap her arm around his throat. She grabs her wrist with her opposite hand to tighten the pressure as she chokes him out. "Finish...him...off!" she yells at Lana as the sound of the distant crowd comes closer and closer.
(Post 1 of 2) Lanara doesn’t have time to nod or reply to Aira’s plan, because the huntress springs into action and the witch does the same. She hangs to the left and narrowly dodges the swipe of the blade piercing her throat, however, she isn’t fast enough to dodge the kick to her stomach. First the bat, and now a forceful kick to her gut?! Clearly, the Goddess is sending all sorts of signs that Lanara Lowell isn’t meant for motherhood! The witch flies back and nearly lands on her legendary rear, but she gracefully drops into an elegant dip, and takes a breath before she rises. By the time she’s standing fully, Aira has the man in a chokehold and is yelling at her to finish him off! Lana retrieves the stiletto dagger from her boot and without hesitation, she plunges it into the gut of the man, jaggedly slicing him from left to right. Did the little witch just disembowel a man?! Chocolate locks with copper and for a beat they both share the adrenaline that’s coursing through their veins, before the man is dropped to the ground, and they make a beeline for the bathhouse.
(Post 2 of 2) The witch and the huntress arrive in record time, as they are literally running for their lives, and the streets of Cenril are brimming with excitement. So many have died or been harmed in the past month, there’s a lot of political turmoil, and it seems that the seedy beach city is headed for disaster. It works as an excellent cover for what has transpired tonight, and so Aira and Lanara’s appearance doesn’t even raise the eyebrows of a teen that’s manning the showers at the bathhouse. Sadly, their clothing is ruined, but Lana has a locker rented for instances like this, and so she hands Aira a simple cotton shift much like the one she will be wearing. They breeze inside and each take a long shower, to rid themselves of the gore, before they meet up again outside. The huntress will find Lana sitting on an isolated bench, smoking a cigarette, and with a smirk, “Well. That was an eventful evening. But! You were starting to get sloppy and I -had- to see who this murderous woman was that everyone was talking about.” She pats the space beside her and waits for Aira to take a seat, scanning the area for any eavesdroppers, before she makes an offer that she knows her frenemy will not refuse, “I know why you’ve been doing all of this, robbing and killing, and I don’t blame you. It’s an escape, a way to fill that void in your heart, and it’s the only thing that makes you -feel- anymore.” She has been there before, and her tone isn’t condescending, but sympathetic. “If you want to find a family of like minded people, that live on the edge, that are reckless with a hint of reason? People that will be loyal, that will risk their lives and vice versa to protect you, and a sure way to earn enough gold to chase your wildest dreams? Then you will answer the call when you are beckoned.” She speaks of a society that works in the shadows, a group of those that sate their desires by doing things that most would find undesirable. Equally tempting as it is terrifying, yet she knows that Aira seeks a home, a family, and a way to feed that fuel that makes her feel most alive. “You will receive a note and I advise you to follow the trail, fully. You know that I wouldn’t steer you wrong, Aira.” She motions to the night, “It’s getting late and I have to get back to my husband and explain all these bruises. I’m glad you are alright! Also, I’m meeting up with that realtor in a few days, as I promised both you and Alvina that I would help you guys find a home in Sage. I will leave notice with Nancy, at Kelay Tavern, okay?” It’s a neutral place and far enough from the Whaler’s, so Aira didn’t have to go back in there and possibly be recognized. Lanara doesn’t wait for a reply, nor does she answer any questions, she merely rises from the bench and drops her cigarette to the ground. Stomping out the flame, she smiles, “Be seeing you soon, Aira.” She turns on her heel and walks back the way she had come, though this time she feels as though a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
(Post 1 of 2) Aira seems unfazed by Lanara disemboweling the man scratching at her arm while he gulps for breath, and keeps her arm locked tightly around his throat until she feels the last bit of life leave his body. She spares one moment to look around at the carnage--all those skulls just going to waste! She decided after her first kill that she would not complete her usual ritual of beheading and offering the skull as a sacrifice. It would be too easy to tie the murders to a single person that way. Without overstaying her welcome, the huntress quickly follows after her frenemy. All those years hunting in the woods have turned Aira into an athletic woman. So despite the injuries she's sustained, she manages to move quickly through the streets and makes it to the bath house in record time. Thankfully the teenage attendant doesn't seem bothered by their bloody appearances and waves them in. She is thankful Lanara has a stash of clothes in a locker and graciously accepts them before standing under a hot shower for a long time. The cut to her upper arm is superficial enough but her cheek is going to require some stitching. She has a small kit back in the room she is renting so for the time being, she'll have to press a piece of cloth against the wound. Bruises litter her body but considering the ambush, she was lucky to be alive.
(Post 2 of 2) Aira steps out of the shower area to find Lana enjoying a cigarette on a bench and the huntress cants her head to the side--when had she begun to smoke? The vixen throws herself unceremoniously beside her frenemy and is about to thank her for her help when the witch launches into a speech of her own. Aira visibly stiffens when she explains in hushed tones how she empathizes with what she is feeling and how she can help her find the family and companionship she so desires. The huntress shifts uncomfortably on the bench, this was reaching vulnerable territory--she didn't -like- her desire for closeness with others. It was much easier to maintain a solitary existence. She knows Lana wouldn't steer her wrong, but her evasiveness to exactly -what- she is inviting Aira to is a bit concerning. But she doesn't say anything. She simply stares ahead, hand pressed to her injured cheek. She had almost forgotten about meeting with a realtor about finding a house in Sage but she dips her head in a nod. Lana pushes herself to a stand, extinguishes her cigarette, and leaves as nonchalantly as she had arrived in the alley. Aira lifts a hand in a departing wave that the lycan may or may not see. "Be seeing you," she mumbled under her breath. "What call am I supposed to answer?" she asks with a frown a few moments later after the witch was long gone. "Huh?" asks the teenage attendant who was walking by to retake his post. "Nothing," Aira says, waving him off. She broods on the bench for another five minutes before standing with a wince, and slowly making her way out of the bath house and back to her room to stitch up her cheek.