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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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"Curious, curious-er, curious-her..." Ravel smiled. "Quite the puzzle box you<br />

are a-shaping up <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong>. What else lurks in the dark places <strong>of</strong> your mind?"<br />

"I hide <strong>not</strong>hing."<br />

"Ah..." Ravel's voice <strong>to</strong>ok on a threatening weight, and she turned <strong>to</strong><br />

Fall-From-Grace, her red eyes blazing. "And here is the core <strong>of</strong> it - the<br />

Abyssal temptress... <strong>do</strong>es she rise above the merely carnal <strong>to</strong> you, or is she<br />

something else in your eye, hmnnn?"<br />

Grace said <strong>not</strong>hing. She seemed <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> studying Ravel intently... and I was<br />

suddenly struck with the feeling that Grace was sizing up Ravel for<br />

weaknesses. I hoped that if this degenerated further, the others would <strong>be</strong> as<br />

ready.<br />

Ravel turned back <strong>to</strong> me, clacking her yellowed tusks, as if in anticipation.<br />

"Speak, precious man, but have a care where your words fall."<br />

There was a hidden sharpness <strong>to</strong> her voice, like the serrated edge <strong>of</strong> a knife<br />

scraping against the inside <strong>of</strong> its sheath. Things had suddenly <strong>be</strong>come quite<br />

a bit more dangerous. "What is she <strong>to</strong> you, <strong>be</strong>autiful Ravel? She can<strong>not</strong> even<br />

compare <strong>to</strong> your looks, your intellect, your power," I asked.<br />

Ravel slid her gaze <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> me and narrowed her eyes at Grace.<br />

"Hmmmmnnn... so if I were <strong>to</strong> strike her <strong>do</strong>wn, snuff her infernal heart, you<br />

would <strong>not</strong> stir? Answer carefully..."<br />

"I... retract my words. I <strong>do</strong> <strong>not</strong> wish her harmed," I said, licking my lips<br />

nervously. There was no lie about my feelings for Grace... I hadn't said<br />

anything at all on the matter.<br />

"Pah! Contrary man!" Ravel's eyes smoldered, and as she turned back <strong>to</strong> me,<br />

the veins in her eyes had sharpened. "Which thought a-rattles about in your<br />

skull now?"<br />

"I spoke falsely - I knew <strong>not</strong> what I said, but I have had enough <strong>of</strong> <strong>death</strong>...<br />

mine or any other... <strong>to</strong> last several lifetimes."<br />

Ravel slid her gaze <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> me and narrowed her eyes at Grace.<br />

"Grace... I like her. She has many good qualities; I consider her a friend."<br />

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