gilt in the horizon

[Marriskcal Lati]

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Marriskcal Lati
Equipment: Lightsaber x2 (Cyan & Azure) & Throwing Knives
Location: Government District, Coruscant
Status: In a mostly pleasant mood, headed towards the Glitannai Esplanadehttps://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Glitannai_Esplanade
Interacting With: [member="Varian Alaric"] (as Corvus)

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The sun was shining bright up above, the warmth of its ray gentle and pleasant on her fair skin as she stepped out of the grand building that served as the heart of governance for the Imperial Confederation. Away from the auspices of the nexus that was nestled within the Manarai Mountain, the cacophony of tens of thousand flames assaulted her senses. But after living on the surface of Coruscant for while, Marriskcal found herself becoming… familiar with the unpleasant sensations that haunted her every waking moment.

And while she would prefer to return to the vast estate belonging to her brother and far away from the chaos of the districts, the young woman was on a self-imposed mission to procure some sweet treats for the orphans that they have taken under their wings since their fateful assignment to Anaxes. Though Marriskcal was still a little tentative when it came to the younglings and their exuberant and curious nature, she found herself becoming fond of them.

So despite her hesitation and distaste for the imperial city proper, dressed in a pale rose hue dress with tiny pearls forming patterns over its surface and another pair of graceful white stiletto heels, the blonde was determined to brave the crowd and their noise. All to keep the promise she has made with them.

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[Varian Alaric]

Varian Alaric "Corvus"
Mercenary | Gun for Hire | Bounty Hunter​

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Location: Coruscant, Glitannai Esplanade​

Status: Suspicious​

Interacting With: [member="Marriskcal Lati"]​

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________​

Varian had never been able to muster up the courage to talk to Marr, to try and interact with her. He just couldn't, he was too afraid of what would happen. He was too afraid of what she would and could say to him, he was afraid that Marr would someway, somehow recognize him and berate him and attack him. Though he did not know it for an assurity, he knew enough to come to the idea that Marr despised and hated him. Which, he supposed, she could do. She had to do it, she should do it...he had left her behind because of his own self petty feelings about Varas and his own disgust with what the First Order was becoming. He...he had never wanted to leave her behind, he thought of her as his own sister whom he had never known he wanted. He loved her as family, and always would do so. Which was why it still pained him all of this time later whenever he thought of her, whenever he saw her. Guilt would clog up his throat, tears gathering at the edges of his eyes and he could do nothing. He could do nothing but follow her, watch her, protect her...act as her guardian angel, as Corvus, not Varian.

His grey and black armor covered his entire form, making him appear taller than he was despite the burgundy cloak which overtook his shoulders and his helm, encompassing him within a shroud of mystery and illusion. He kept at a distance from her, watching her carefully from his glacier eyes looking through crimson red optical lenses. He needed to protect her, it was the least that he could do for leaving her. It was the least he could do now, it was all he could do now.

He would remain her Guardian Angel, her Corvus.

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati
Equipment: Lightsaber x2 (Cyan & Azure) & Throwing Knives
Location: Edge of Glitannai Esplanade, Coruscant
Status: In search of a candy shop
Interacting With: [member="Varian Alaric"] (as Corvus)

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As befitting the veneer of a highborn lady belonging to the Noble House of Du Couteau, with each step the young woman took, her poise flowed to reflect her illustrious standing. Her vivid blue eyes took on a bored cast and her hips gained an indolent sway as she merged with the crowd proper. Amongst the politicians, officials, and nobles that wandered about the district, Marriskcal blended in seamlessly.

But unbeknownst to her overwhelmed senses, it was more than just a familiar pair of eyes that were following her every movement. Alone, and without the usual escort of her brother or the head butler, the blonde was at her most vulnerable yet. Several people that were positioned and concealed within the living sea of people began to signal each other and move, carefully weaving amongst the crowd as they trailed after her.

The gilt and glitz of the Glitannai Esplanade were an impressive vision, even to many who called Coruscant their home. With some of the most exclusive shops and restaurants in the galaxy lining the boulevard, all vying for the patronage of the wealthy and renowned, the stretch was filled with the outlandish and the luxurious. But for one who has lived her life in austerity and never wanted for much, worth were not something Marriskcal truly understood as she continued her journey, her eyes looking carefully at the displays in search of a particular shop.

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[Varian Alaric]

Varian Alaric "Corvus"
Mercenary | Gun for Hire | Bounty Hunter

Location: Coruscant, Glitannai Esplanade
Status: Suspicious
Interacting With: [member="Marriskcal Lati"]
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

The form of Corvus was rigid and sharp with each step he took. His arms hung tight at his sides, only briefly swinging with the momentum of his armored boots carrying him forwards. Whereas the former Knight of Ren would have walked with a joyous and curious step, he did no such thing now. Alaric didn't know what he thought of life now. While his emotional wounds and scars had been brief compared to most, he remained an emotional wreck half of the time now or he glowered in disgust and anger. First, Varas had left him, and then the First Order had killed thousands...that idiot of a man, Sieger, killed thousands of his brothers and sisters simply because they did not live up to his ideal. The thought disgusted him. And then there was Varas, whom he now cared nothing for...however her departure had left him an emotionally travesty. He had been once happy and giddy and naive when with her, finding the most joy in his life...and then......and now, all of that was done away with. Gone.

As Varian made his way through the crowd, the glowing cybernetic optics in his helmet altered him to something bizarre. Military communications devices, specifically, those who were tuned into a First Order frequency. Almost immediately, he knew who they were after. They were after Marr. They were not after him himself, at least, that was what Alaric told himself to keep himself level-headed. As level-headed as he could be right now, that is.

He tried to push his way through the crowd though the onslaught of civilians made it difficult. He needed to get to her...get to her, before the First Order did.

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati
Equipment: Lightsaber x2 (Cyan & Azure) & Throwing Knives
Location: Moving away from Glitannai Esplanade, Coruscant
Status: Confronting would be assassins
Interacting With: [member="Varian Alaric"] (as Corvus)

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The first when she noticed that something was wrong was when she caught the measuring glance of a man peering at her intently. He was… ordinary, with unremarkable features and dressed in a similar style that was favoured by most governmental officials that wandered around the district. And Marriskcal would have given him no heed, if not for the soft hum of caution that began to echo through her mind.

Despite the apprehension that was rousing within, the young woman continued to play at being ignorant, her veneer calm and cheerful as she wandered curiously from shop to shop. Even as Marriskcal pretended to stare at the trinkets and curios on display, she used the reflection of the windows to trace the movements of the beings that were trailing after her. And by the time she walked past the tenth shop on the esplanade, the blonde reckoned that there were at least six hostiles.

With her lips curved into a gentle smile of amusement, the hunter began to diverge from the esplanade, meandering down a narrow lane to lead them away. And it did not take her would be assassins long before they realised that their attempts at subterfuge were exposed. Forsaking their subtle acts at normalcy, they began to converge before the blonde. “Were you sent by Sieger Ren?” she asked the lightly, not expecting an answer from the group.

After all, her once Lord and Master had lost his sharpest blade and staunchest shield in Frederic when he has chosen her over him.

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[Varian Alaric]

Varian Alaric "Corvus"
Mercenary | Gun for Hire | Bounty Hunter

Location: Coruscant, Glitannai Esplanade
Status: Suspicious
Interacting With: [member="Marriskcal Lati"]
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

Varian's heads-up-interface did it's best to keep track of the lithe form of Marr, though it could only do so much among the crowd of extravagantly dressed people. Whenever a white box would form around the blonde woman to help pin-point her location for the man, it would stay for a few seconds before jumping to another person who was just as fancily dressed as Marr was that was close to her approximate location. For all the joys and wonders that came with technology, for all of the help that technology offered him it proved fruitless and absolutely useless at times, such as right now. Alaric knew that if he couldn't get to Marr she could be killed, or worse, kidnapped and taken back to the First Order. He didn't know what would become of here when she was there, though he had his own suspicions of torture and indoctrination to try and shift her back to the side of the Order. It was something that the man couldn't allow. No matter his prior allegiances, no matter his suspicions and anxiety, he owed it to Marr to protect her.

At least then he wouldn't think himself a failure. At least then he would know it was worth leaving the Order and worth pushing himself forwards when he felt lowest in life.

He pushed through the crowd, some people falling down as a result though he payed them no heed, they could fix their fancy dresses and suits easily enough with all of there money. Money which would be better suited to the masses of impoverished, but he couldn't focus on that now. An alleyway came into view and almost immediately Varian suspected that Marr had disappeared down it, at least that was the one place she could have gone to to try and escape. As soon as the first person came into view, he charged them head-on. He bent his armored head down and ran forwards with his arms reached out in front of him, bent at the elbows to offer himself more leverage. He connected with the would-be assassin quickly, slamming them into the concrete wall of the alley-way with a resounding crack of ribs. Bringing his head up, he quickly jerked it forwards, slamming the metal faceplate of his helm into the unprotected soft-tissue of the assassin's breaking skin and causing a trickle of blood to flow freely from the offender's temple.

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati
Equipment: Lightsaber x2 (Cyan & Azure) & Throwing Knives
Location: Edge of Glitannai Esplanade, Coruscant
Status: Confronting would be assassins
Interacting With: [member="Varian Alaric"] (as Corvus)

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With flicker of her hand and a hushed whisper of organza, the hilts of her lightsabers found itself in her grasp. The gentle yet mocking smile that she was gracing them morphed as the curve of her lips curled in predatory anticipation as she shifted, the poise of a highborn lady falling away to reveal her true self, that of a relentless hunter. With her makashi hilt held in her dominant hand, Marriskcal held her golden head high as the group began to unsheathe their own weapons.

Despite being drowned by the voices of many, the Force continued to whisper to her even as a pair of them charged towards her, and the second pair moved in an arc in an attempt to surround her. Even as she moved forward to greet the initial pair with her blades of azure and cyan, a dark armoured figure intruded into their conflict, his broad form colliding with one of the final pair of assassins and slamming him against the wall.

While the blonde was taken by surprise by his sudden appearance, the Force continued to flow along its original verse, ignoring the new presence. With her blue eyes narrowed in suspicion, Marriskcal pushed the two assassins away from her person, using their loss of balance to cut one of the pest down, her cyan blade slashing downwards diagonally from shoulder to torso. Though it seemed that the other coming to her aid, the blonde was not foolish enough to place her trust in a stranger.

“What are your intentions?” she demanded, her voice terse as she avoided several bolts of laser and a slash from a vibrodagger from her three remaining assailants.

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[Varian Alaric]

Varian Alaric "Corvus"
Mercenary | Gun for Hire | Bounty Hunter

Location: Coruscant, Glitannai Esplanade
Status: Heated
Interacting With: [member="Marriskcal Lati"]
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

Varian watched the assassin in front of him crumple to the ground, falling unconscious due to the sudden impact of metal against his unprotected head. His gaze jumped from that of the would-be assassin to Marr, catching sight of her lightsabers through the optics of his helmet. The shine and gleam of her lightsabers jolted memories to Alaric's conscious about the First Order, about being a Ren. About being nothing but a puppet. Despite what those things, despite what lightswords reminded the man of, to see them now in Marr's possession was a comforting thought. The color was different, they were not red, they were blue in contrast to their previous color. From red to blue, from the tyranny to the just, it struck the man as a comfort. A comfort that things could change, that nothing was always set in stone.

It did comfort him. And it also made him afraid of what was to become of him. A killer.

The blonde woman's voice made him flinch at hearing it again after so long. His form jumped, muscles instinctively flexing and coming to attention out of fear and guilt. Her soft and soothing voice sounded wrong to hear, he didn't want to hear it. It made Varian's throat feel dry and it made him feel as though his throat was collapsing in on itself, making it hard for him to breath. Alaric stood there, un-moving, frozen in fear. He felt that at any moment she would recognize who he was and attack him, that she would try to kill him. But she wouldn't, she couldn't...could she?

"P-protection," was all he could choke out, the helmet masking the crack in his voice.

Varian never knew the answer as a vibrodagger missed mere inches from her body. At seeing this through frozen lids, the limp form of the young man acted in retaliation. His right hand automatically went down to a satchel on the metal band which surrounded his hips, reaching in to the ballistic armorweave container and pulling forth a serrated blade. It's un-speckled blade shined in what little light made it into the alleyway, giving it a blinding glow for the faintest and shortest of seconds. His right arm raised upwards quickly and his forearm extended, the muscles underneath the armor contracting and then releasing as gloved fingers release the handle of the blade in hand. The ballistic knife flew through the air and found it's mark within the neck of one assassin, making blood spill forth from his mouth and onto the dirty street tiles below.

Alaric's left hand quickly grabbed a blaster strapped to his left thigh, lifting it up to hip-level and fired, shooting one of the remaining two assassins twice in the stomach.

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati
Equipment: Lightsaber x2 (Cyan & Azure) & Throwing Knives
Location: Edge of Glitannai Esplanade, Coruscant
Status: Confronting her 'protector'
Interacting With: [member="Varian Alaric"] (as Corvus)

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As she awaited his answer, the blonde seized the opportunity for a counterattack, the alacrity of her steps swift and agile as she drew close for a second kill, her left blade arcing inwards to liberate the arm that held a blaster. A rictus of pain and fear marred his features as Marriskcal pivoted on her heels, her right crossing in a mirrorlike motion to part head from body.

“Protection,” she intoned, the lilt of her voice imperious.

There was every reason in the galaxy to doubt the answer the armoured figure gave, and none to believe in it.

The moment the altruistic stranger released the serrated blade into the air, Marriskcal narrowed her blue eyes, wary of betrayal. And if not for angle of the trajectory, the young woman would have turned the weapon against the other. Realising that it was meant for the vibrodagger-wielding assassin, she allowed it to flash past her, watching impassively as it embedded itself deep within his neck.

Her veneer remained calm and glacial even as the body toppled to the ground by her feet. The faint flecks of blood found itself suspended in the air for a transient moment, before gravity reasserted its sovereignty and it fell. It was with a look of annoyed distaste that the blonde took a step away as a pool of crimson began to spread beneath the dead assassin. While Marriskcal cared not about the mess, Seto would chastise her if she returned home with yet another pair of sullied heels.

When the stranger dispatched the first of the remaining assassins, her gaze flickered towards the final form. Standing near the edge of the tiny square, she could almost discern his thought process as he wavered between fight or flight. It was a pity that no one has ever taught her mercy, and their lives were forfeit the moment they dared to harm her and hers. Before he could run, the young woman sheathed the azure blade that once belonged to another and holstered it, pulling a slim knife as she withdrew her hand. Even as she continued to keep a watchful eye on the armoured form, she flicked a silver blade into the air and aimed it at the heart of the last assassin with an idle thought.

Even as she took a bold step towards the stranger, she knew that the two assassins that the other had taken down were alive, though barely. Their flames were weak, and their pain palpable through the Force. But Marriskcal ignored their suffering and instead gave the entirety of her focus to the one remaining problem before her. “Forgive me, but I most certainly do not believe in your eloquent… spiel.” Her lilt continued to be gentle and soft, mellifluous even as she tilted her head to regard him. “I suggest that you think carefully before you answer my next question.” But unlike the shade of her voice, the ice of her gaze was wary and domineering.

“Who are you, and why did you come to my aid?”

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[Varian Alaric]

Varian Alaric "Corvus"
Mercenary | Gun for Hire | Bounty Hunter

Location: Coruscant, Glitannai Esplanade
Status: Troubled
Interacting With: Marriskcal Latihttp://starwarsrp.net/user/18910-marriskcal-lati/
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

Varian's blue eyes watched the woman across from whom he had grown to love as a sister march over to his position. Though he stood tall over her lithe form, he felt himself quaking in his armor as she drew close to him.

His confidence to protect her which, prior to the ambush, had been as a stalwart shield of metal against knives of wood, was no longer with him. Such strength, such had been taken away from him entirely now, his confidence had left his form in the place of someone who was fearful of all things now. An individual who hid behind a mask of metal to conceal who they once were, instead of a shield, they were the mask. Though the outward exterior of Varian's form appeared unafraid of the woman, he was not so on the inside. Despite such notions and such fears, however, he remained standing there now. He knew if he ran it would be the whole situation all over once more, just as bad, if not worse than it was previously to leave his sister behind. He knew that if he ran, she could and probably would kill him out of suspicion of who he was, and then she would find who he truly was underneath the mask.

Did she know who he was? Did she know that he was Varian Alaric, former Knight of Ren, former wearer of the title of 'Primat Ren' which was bestowed onto him from Sieger? Though she knew not his true name, Alaric suspected that she did know who he was. He suspected that she knew who was behind the mask and that she would kill him when she had the first opportunity to do so. Though, the man knew that was his paranoia trying to wrest control of his mind and thoughts. Though he was on the medication, he had to remain strong and stalwart as a shield through such a thing. Unwavering, undefeated, untarnished, strong...as he once was, as he wanted to be again.

The woman's former friend felt uncomfortable under her icy stare, never having seen her given such a look before onto anybody but her enemies. Which, he was, he supposed, an enemy. Under the helmet, Varian's eyes shifted from Marr's eyes and looked away, the optics of his helmet remaining trained on her eyes. He didn't want to look into her eyes, eyes that he no longer recognized...it had been so long, she was all grown up.

Without him.

"I simply go by the name of 'Corvus,' Miss Marriskcal Lati. I've come to protect you and because I am something of a guardian angel of sorts. It is my sole responsibility to protect you and keep you from harm's way, whatever the cost may be."

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati
Equipment: Lightsaber x2 (Cyan & Azure) & Throwing Knives
Location: Edge of Glitannai Esplanade, Coruscant
Status: Dismissive
Interacting With: [member="Varian Alaric"] (as Corvus)

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If it was not such a unrefined act, one unbefitting of a member of high nobility, the young woman would have sneered.

What gave this– Corvus– the notion that she needed aid?

Truly, were it not for the very knowledge that the other had thrown themselves into an altercation that did not involve them, she would have allowed her true feelings to emerge.

How ludicrous!

Perhaps they only saw what many has seen, a vision of a delicate porcelain doll of a person that needed a shield and a protector from the big bad galaxy. While Marriskcal was not averse to using their delusion against those who dared to underestimate her, it was… insulting.

“Sole responsibility, hm?” she queried silkily, her gleam in her eyes dangerous even as she played with the remaining hilt in her hand. There were no such thing as true altruism in this galaxy. Everyone has an agenda.

So, what did they have to gain from their association to her?

Only time will tell, I suppose.

“You were not sent by my brother, even though you know my name,” Marriskcal observed, noting his twin mistakes. Despite his concerns over her safety, Seto would never employ an unknown quantity to ‘protect’ her without first consulting her, for he knew she would never react well to having strangers trailing after her. “Whatever your reasoning may be, Corvus, I do not need protection from someone I cannot trust.”

If they think of me as an easy path to my brother's grace, they will find themselves mistaken.

But lest the other think of her as ungrateful, the blonde inclined her head in the merest of gestures. “It would be to your benefit to be on your way. The Bureau does not look kindly upon vigilantes, and they will be here soon enough.” The disturbance they have caused would have been recorded and personnel would have been dispatched to aid her by now. “As a token of my appreciation for… coming to my aid, I will overlook your involvement this time. Have a good life, little crow.”

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[Varian Alaric]

Varian Alaric "Corvus"
Mercenary | Gun for Hire | Bounty Hunter

Location: Coruscant, Glitannai Esplanade
Status: Accepting
Interacting With: Marriskcal Lati
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________

Varian's eyes watched the subtle movement of Marriskcal's hand, finding the saber held aloft within her white-skinned grip. He knew she could kill him now, she could kill him just within a few seconds with her lightsaber to be done with him. To finally be rid of him, to finally get rid of him and his uselessness. He would have welcomed such a chance, though he needed to at least try to reconcile with her. If she hadn't milled him yet, it spoke something about her in the very least. That she was still the same small, naive, and cute girl he had met so long ago.

At least, he hoped.

He no longer had his saber to defend himself, he was open to any attack which may befall him. Yet here he stood.

He needed to tell her the truth, an inkling of the truth that is. He couldn't disclose who he was, that was what an idiot would do. And Varian wasn't an idiot a anymore, he wasn't that same foolish boy in the Throne Room all if that time ago. He wasn't the same boy who insulted the Master of Ren, he wasn't the fool who fell in love with Varas. That boy was named Primat...he was a man called Varian.

"I was not employed by your brother...at least not the one you are assuming, the one of noble heritage, I assume is who you're referring to? I was, however, employed by a brother of yours. That is all I will disclose to you, Marriskcal Lati."

Alaric knew that it was a risk to disclose so much information to Marr, though he had to take the risk. She didn't trust him, he could gather that much from her tone and the way she she stood with her saber in hand. She was wary of him, something which struck at the former Knight of Ren. His own sister...not afraid, but angry at him? His own sister willing to kill him, he had never thought such a day would come. He had never thought he would leave the First Order as well, whether he liked it or not, time changed as did the direction of one's life. Which was why he told Marr of such a thing, which is why he told her of some of the truth. It would help her to understand him, to understand 'Corvus' more...so that he could love her as he once did. So that they could be siblings again.

"I'm here whether you want my protection or not, that lightsaber you carry aloft in your hand is excellent protection already, of course. Though I am sworn to stand by your side and protect you through the request of someone you had known at one point. I intend to honor that pledge, no matter how it displeases you." He paused for a beat,soaking in her next words to him and thinking them over before responding to her.he hoped what he was saying was right, he didn't want her to hate him. He hated the idea of Marr hating him and wanting him, Varian, dead forever as though he never existed. He wished he could know what she thought of him as a person now, though it was a fleeting hope. "Have a good life then, Marr–" The way that Corvus said her name was one of familiarity, though it was hard to place it's origin among all of the noise and mechanical aspects of the voice modulator. "–I'll be seeing you around."

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Marriskcal Lati
Equipment: Lightsaber x2 (Cyan & Azure) & Throwing Knives
Location: Edge of Glitannai Esplanade, Coruscant
Status: Bitter and annoyed
Interacting with: [member="Varian Alaric"] (as Corvus)

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Her eyes narrowed once more, the gleam in it sharp and vicious. For he has pierced and wounded her with his words, no matter how inadvertently. “I only have one brother, and I do not care to learn more about the existence of this supposed–” she waved a hand in the air in a dismissive manner, “­–being.”

Abandoned and abandoning.

Betraying and betrayed.

Her past was a chapter ended and closed, and she would dwell on it no longer.

“I care not for your wants or your oaths. Words are but empty sentiments. Easy to declare, but almost always broken in the end.” It was a truth that she has learned, after all. Irrevocable and eternal. She has trusted, like a fool. She has had her heart shattered, like delicate glass. Marriskcal has enough of hurting.

In her annoyance, she turned her back towards the armoured figure and started to walk away, wanting to make her way back to the safety if the Imperial Palace, where the other could not follow. And until she was assured that Corvus left her be, she was not about to return home and inadvertently bring danger on the people she was slowly beginning to call ‘family’.

“Do as you wish, for I doubt my wishes ever factored in as part of your intent,” she threw her final words at the other, tinged with bitterness.

She would just have to be more careful now that she has gained an undesired stalker.

And if he ever became too annoying?

Oh well, what was one more flame snuffed?

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