Bled… Dead… Redemption!!

[Vio]

¹

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^{“Mm… You are sure,” he said:
“Just remember…”}

^{“I know,” she replied. “He’s stronger, still.”}

^{“In body, yes. In spirit? I’m not so sure…,” he coughed:
“Well. We shall see soon enough. I am sure of it.”}

That last exchange echoed continuously within Scarlette’s mind as she walked once more through the torrents. Despite her bandages, her wounds had been given enough time now to heal properly, scars leftover from multiple clashes that had risked her life decorating porcelain pale flesh. She walked with casual confidence, following a narrow ledge over which floodwaters cascaded into the ravine below. The same ravine she had plummeted into, turned into a roiling river of water and rapidly thawing hunks of ice still as large as men.

Abe said there was an easier way up to the higher floors from here, so that must be it… Finding her way through the fresh spray and squall, Miss Grimm-Rosa meandered and clambered and hopped. Rocky outcrops, narrow ledges and sloping uneven ‘stairways’ worn into the hill’s faces led her higher and higher. She recalled her initial climb from within – jumps and shimmies and desperate grasps against weakened metal and stone and timber. Compared to that ordeal, this was like climbing a spiral staircase.

It didn’t take her all too long to reach the hilltop, finding a way within the derelict main building via the broken windows of the fifth storey. The rest was simple enough, following narrow halls and ascending where and when she was able. All the while, she silently wondered if her opponent had detected her presence. She was a lot more calm than she had been back then, but she knew now what he was capable of. She stopped at the seventh floor, raising her head to spy the floors above and stared intensely through her left eye – her right covered by the wrappings of bandages…

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

’s back, Overseer… And stronger than ever!

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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[Flame]

Long perfect fingers cradled the wine glass, dark red liquid swirling calmly within its confines. Their owner watched them with a calm demeanor as he lifted the glass up to the light of striking lightning arcing across the sky. "A good vintage, you shall make an excellent aperitif for the coming main dish" He spoke to it.

Bringing the glass closer to his face he placed it beneath his nose allowing the beautiful smell to waft up titillating his senses. He started to sniff, pulling the smell of it int through his nostrils with a long draw. "Ahh, it was really too bad that you ran out of blood. Yours is so perfect for getting the stomach ready. You really get me in the right mood." With a casual grace his lips opened and the thick red liquid poured slowly from the cup draining into his widened maw staining his rows upon rows of pearly white teeth red with blood.

"Ahhhhhhhhh" He exclaimed nearly ecstatically. A small stream of it splashed out the side of his lip onto his dark blue skin. A long tongue quickly slipped out twisting sensually along his skin picking up that which tried to get away. Then it slipped into the glass. Running itself along the edge of it with ravenous abandon it lapped up all so that none remained whatsoever.

As quickly as that was done the glass left. A casual swing of the arm placed it on a nearby table, Almost ready ... The thought passed through his mind as he stared out of the great hole in his home staring out onto the patio at the torrential rains. The sound of it crashing against the isle of Mulyssa Nemo provided the perfect ominous backdrop to what he was waiting for.

He stepped out, stark naked his whole body bore the brunt of nature's wrath. Rain crashed against his body hanging to it. Nature's fury was nothing to him, stretching out a hand he reached forward and for a moment the rain simply stopped around him. He blinked once, glancing down at his body glistening from its fresh clean. It was impressive, in the end he was always impressed with it. Bringing his hand to his cheek he massaged the side of it. His eyes closed and he breathed in slowly holding his breath as he did.

There was a pause, pure silence and then he breathed out releasing his grip on all that motionless water allowing it to fall back to the ground. Turning around he turned back to his home at the top of it all. His long neck turned from side to side making small cracking sounds. A grin grew across his face, the edges of his mouth turning upwards to a disturbing degree. "At last you return." He said like a whisper before walking back under the cover of the canopy.

Muscles bulged across his body, the arcing of lightning, showing the full breadth of the power this man had physically. The perfect specimen, Rhesus licked his lips in anticipation.

[Vio]

²

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Compared to her previous visit to Mullyssa Nemo’s main building, climbing to the top – the site of their last, brief clash – was as easy as walking up a flight of stairs. Sure, it was no smooth waltz, but Scarlette made impeccable time with a few running jumps and some simpler feats of acrobatic prowess. Now she stood on exactly the same spot on the eighth storey that Rhesus, the Overseer, had stood prior. A part of her felt anxious – another excited. Either way, the anticipation was intense like the deluge.

She walked.

^{The element of surprise won’t work, she noted:
If I can sense him, then he’s already sensed me…}

Ascending to the fabled ninth storey was far easier than any other movement. A simple set of double doors topped a short and final flight of steps, and it was at those doors that she stopped. It almost felt rude to barge in, but she was sure he was expecting. Miss Grimm-Rosa recalled the scene, the layout of a room lit by an eerie ambience, adorned with unusual luxuries that – despite their simplicity – seemed so grand compared to everything else the barren landscape had to offer.

She raised her hands, wrists still wrapped in Sea-Prism. How annoying. And, with said raised palms, she moved to push aside the doors…

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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[Flame]

Perhaps ... he tapped the point of his lip with a precise finger. He could go as is, or maybe some clothing would be preferable. There was the choice of the set of clothes he'd worn last time. That snug suit which tried so hard to accentuate what was already perfect. There was no wonder at why it failed, but it did a decent job. Besides there would be some well placed symbolism in doing so. Yes ... I should do that. He nodded to himself with certainty.

With graceful purpose he headed over to the nearby room where that suit had been left, untarnished since its last use. The blood which stained it gave certain parts a nice reddish hue. It was a color unlike his own blood, the message of that obvious, the only blood spilled in battle with her would be hers. He grasped the suit in hand, his long fingers pulling it together, he stopped himself moments before he might've done too much and gone and wrinkled it. Pulling it taut once more he glanced at it. "Yes, this is perfect." He sniffed the air, his eyes closing for a moment as a chill ran up his spine a smile sauntering across his face.

It took a few elegant moments showing off his natural beauty once more until he finally found himself clothed. It was a feel he didn't prefer, the natural beauty of his half fishman half human glory was best. That he confirmed with a quick glance in the mirror with a small dip in his smile. Pulling parts that tried to wrinkle taut he glanced at his reflection once more pushing the fabric against his body.

Nodding to himself he turned and headed to the entrance to his abode. The smell was strong, not that he needed it, he could feel her as well. Anticipation nearly made him giddy. Reaching for the door he pulled it open to reveal his bandaged up meal standing before him.

A smile he could no longer help stretched across his face. His smooth voice slid out snaking around her as if to grasp her.

"So glad that you could return."

[Vio]

³

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Eager, aren’t you… Grimm-Rosa Scarlette’s thoughts mocked the man before her. Before her outreaching arms had even brushed the doors, Rhesus had opened them. The last time they were this close to one another, she had been fighting a losing battle – throwing weak blows that had not truly hit. Dark eyes met his, staring into windows of the soul with a calm intensity. As predicted, Rhesus’ words were a sure sign that he knew of her survival. He had tasted her blood and, as her mentor had stated, Rhesus’ knowledge was founded in life’s vital essence.

“I’m pretty sure you’re the only one who’ll ever say that to me,” she replied. Never once taking her eyes off his, she raised her right arm to bare the Kairōseki bind. “Let’s try again, shall we? I would like the key to these handcuffs, if you’d please. That’s the reason I came here. Once they’re off, you can continue as you were.” She pursed her lips, dropped her arm, and considered. In truth, the dark-haired demoiselle did not entertain the idea that the Overseer would stand to listen to reason. If he truly knew as much as he thought? Well, then it was likely he was at least aware of what the manacles did.

It wouldn’t hurt to clarify.

“I don’t exactly know how, but these prevent me from using my ability,” Scarlette added. “I ate a ‘Devil Fruit’ – the Tane Tane no Mi – which lets me use my own blood to create entities I call Homunculi. It would serve no use against you. I’ll even demonstrate it…” For a moment, a flash of realisation swept through her eyes, gleaming crimson as they caught a dim flash of light. She had the ultimate bargaining tool. “You drink blood, so… Ugh, you can ‘eat’ the Homunculus. Think of it as a… an apology… and a show of gratitude?”

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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[Flame]

As Scarlette presented the Kairouseki bonds to him Rhesus barely gave it half a glance. There was the slight raise of an eyebrow when she restated her purpose. Rhesus gave a blatantly false sigh still standing in the doorway. "I would concur, I'm the last person you'll ever hear that from." He said his implication slightly different than hers.

She spoke again, explaining her fruit. As she did he reached down purposefully and grasped the manacles which held her. In a quick move he lurched them up toward his face. His eyes stared past them as he quieted his yearnings. There was saliva pooling his mouth though he gave no outward indication of it. Calmly he swallowed a bunch of it holding his throat as still as possible as he did so. "Eat the homunculus." A controlled voice repeated the words back at Scarlette. Rhesus' breathing slowed slightly as amber orbs circled about before landing upon the flavorful feast before them.

His eyes closed for a moment nostrils flaring as he took in a deep breath. Then in that moment he opened his eyes once again. A grin spun upon his face and with ease he lifted Scarlette up by the manacles raising her easily three feet into the air so that her head was even with his own. "Why would I take your offer ..." He spoke with certainty upon his voice. "When I can drink up right here without any hassle."

A hand reached forward, long fingers laced themselves about Scarlette's chin and his tongue slid from between his lips. It twirled about his lips wetting them slightly."Why deal when you have served yourself up on a platter to me so nicely. Is that not your show of gratitude to me? Perhaps when I've taken my fill then I shall provide you the key to your release." He said with a dangerous smile. These were obviously more preferable terms to Rhesus.

"You should think of that as my show of gratitude for your payment of tax." His fingers bit in firmly upon her jaw pushing to break skin before he calmly released his grip upon her chin.

[Vio]

⁴

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Didn’t think he’d listen… As she felt herself being hoisted high, Scarlette remained stoic, but otherwise let her form ragdoll. Out of sheer desperation and hopelessness she had escaped him once – she had not intended to have to escape him a second time back then. She felt his fingers upon her face, pressing strongly. Such a tight grasp would once have stung, but now it felt like any dull pressure.

^{“I’ve never really understood,” the dangling damsel did add:
“A Homunculus is made of more blood than a body can hold.”}

Her eye remained focused. Sharpened.

“What’s that… A few gallons when a human body only holds a few pints?” Even as she explained it, Miss Grimm-Rosa began to realise just how disturbing her power was when viewed from a normal perspective. Sure, crimson childlike entities emerging from abyssal tears in the world was a frightening enough sight, but now that she truly thought about the extent of her power, she could not help but wonder. Was it possible to further enhance the scope of her ability? Surely not. Back to matters at hand.

“Hm.” Her eyes closed. She hated lying. But fib she did not. “All this talk of gratitude… Rhesus, I’m offering you, as the ‘Overseer’ of this place, no platter. I’m offering you an unlimited feast, fit for a king. The amount of blood I can produce with just a few Homunculi – just a small fraction of what I can generate in bulk – would be enough to stock the veins of the whole island. After all, you said it yourself… ‘It has a flavour not normally found in the blood of lesser beings’…”

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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[Flame]

"An unlimited feast ..." Rhesus echoed her words once more as he wrapped his mind around what she offered. In his mind he could remember the orgasmic flavor of her blood. It had been so long since he had last partook of it and yet its taste was so idealized in his mind. Subconsciously he licked his lips tempted once more by the offer that was so rightly his to take. All he had to do was ...

He paused once more to take a deep breath. His mind spun as two forces fought for the right to decide. Rhesus' face to the best of his ability held still. Unlimited feast, the word ran through his head like a fire with too much kindling about. Truly it was the problem with most humans, they might be good for a time, but soon their body could not keep up with the rate of blood he required. An unfortunate deficit of their physique that they were unable to sustain themselves properly to fit their lord's needs.

If her ability to produce was truly so great, amber eyes twinkled momentarily. His tongue peeked out sliding along his lips for a turn. "You bring up interesting points Ms. Scarlette. I'll have to take them into consideration." He said solemnly regaining control of himself once more. "But beware ..." Rhesus continued his mouth opening slightly to reveal his rows upon rows of pearly blood-stained teeth. "Crossing me again will earn you a fate worse than death." The last words were punctuated by his free hand catching under her neck and slamming her into the metal door he had been holding open.

That snakelike grin adorned his face as he lifted her now by the neck dropping his grip on her shackles. Placing her face right before his he smiled at her. He studied her for a moment before the soft rumble of his own stomach distracted him. "Before I think more on it, perhaps a meal. I'm sure you'll oblige your Overlord that much." His voice emanated the providence he saw within himself. Starting to walk he carried her by the neck towards his dining table. His grip was soft careful to not compromise what seemed the new crowning piece of his pantry.

[Vio]

⁵

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A fate worse than death, is it…? She almost chuckled at the idea. What could he possibly do to her now? They say fear is a weapon, but Grimm-Rosa Scarlette had no fear of this man, nor what he could do. Even as he held her there like some ragdoll, fingers about her jaw and neck as he finally loosened his grasp upon her manacles, she did not wriggle or writhe. Though her body winced and bucked when he slammed her into the door for emphasis, all she felt was a sudden sensation of hardness and coolness force its way upon her flesh.

She exhaled sharply.

The temptation to strike him now rose. But the Red Terror resisted. Too much intent and Rhesus – a known wielder of the mysterious power known as Kenbunshoku Haki – would be able to feel it emanating from her, much as she could hear in his deep intonation. She resigned herself to this accursed kismet. As he carried her into the depths of his lair, a certain delicacy in his grasp, the scarred siren thought back on what she had learned. Soon she could put it all into practise. The patience required for this was no different than her training, and from that she reminded herself not to act rashly.

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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[Flame]

Staring about his dimly lit room as lightning struck down illuminating it better for a moment Rhesus looked for another chair. He frowned slightly as he continued to grasp Scarlette as one might a doll. Finally glancing one piled up against a side of the wall he headed over to grab it. All the while he carried Scarlette along, neck in hand. Grasping the chair he plucked it out of a pile and brought it forth to an open area back facing the balcony entrance.

Calmly he pulled her up placing her feet upon the ground before the chair and finally releasing his grip on her neck. "Would you like anything to eat?" He asked as he dropped into his own chair leaning back in it and folding his hands in his lap. "I've got liver, there's some fish, dried fruits, jerky, nuts, beans ... I've got a few things, just ask." Rhesus offered in a genteel manner. Such was appropriate of the host, besides he was going to partake in her. Couldn't hurt for him to be a little courteous with his guest.

Once again he looked upon Scarlette taking her into his amber eyes. His mind wove its own stories, his nose helped, sensing the beating blood of hers which so enthralled him. In a moment his hand raced through the air piercing into her gut to grasp at her liver. Blood spilling around the wound his fingers wrapping around it. The essential organ the most flavorful of them all. He'd break half off and take it as his meal right now.

The Overlord of Mulyssa Nemo blinked, the imagery of that flushing from his mind for a moment. He sat there, still in his chair having barely moved an inch save for tapping a single finger upon his muscular thigh. No, the unending feast awaits ... Rhesus reminded himself of why he had not taken her right their and feasted upon her blood until he ran her dry. No he could picture it now, her flimsy body strung up in his den to be drained of blood whenever he needed it. An eternity as his fountain of blood.

That brought a smile to his face. For that he could afford her a few simple luxuries.

SPOILER: Click to show

I FOR ONE HELD MY BEANIE BABIES BY THE NECK!

[Vio]

⁶

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“No, thank you,” Scarlette replied once she was truly able. Her neck prickled slightly from where Rhesus had grasped it, though she could not tell whether any tender bruising would form upon her flesh as a result. Other than that, she did not immediately oblige to his hospitality – if one could even call it that. The last time she had sat in a chair in this room, she’d been tied down to it. She reasonably had no want to sit again. At least, not in any chair he offered her.

^{I don’t even need Haki to read him, she noted:
All he really wants now is my blood…}

^…

It was hard to tell who was more charged with anticipation. Miss Grimm-Rosa doubted very much that her want to put an end to this man’s ‘rule’ of Mullyssa Nemo outweighed his bloodthirst, but then, neither of the pair were particularly stable of mind. How else had they both wound up here? She did find herself questioning why Rhesus, of Gyojin decent, had not simply swam from the isle. However, his own attitude – his own complex – was the most logical answer. He was the big fish in this small pond.

^{“So,” she broke their odd silence:
“What happens now…?”}

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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[Flame]

Rhesus watched her his whole body tensed with anticipation. She didn't want anything to eat, which meant he could go straight on to his part. "Well first, since you refused the offer I'll partake of my meal." Rhesus stood up, rising to his full height he towered over Scarlette as she stood without even using the chair he had offered.

His right hand shot forward, long fingers extended they formed a vice about Scarlette's forehead. Dealing roughly with her he pulled her up. Tilting her head slightly to the side as to expose a prime piece of neck he brought forth another hand. Pulling some loose bandages away to make a cleaner surface he brought her forward. "You're welcome." His voice slithered out of his mouth as his tongue did. It's long form lathered his saliva upon her neck, sliding up and down it in snake-like coils. Then finally once prepared he took his meal.

Grip strengthening upon her forehead, circles upon circles of teeth descended upon Scarlette's unprotected neck. Numerous teeth pierced into Scarlette's skin aided by his own jaw strength. At once the blood flowed, suction from within pulled globs of blood free of the skin as he pulled out more and more blood. His eyes hardened as he found it hard to resist simply sucking her dry in the moment. Blood continued to flow down his gullet, until finally he stopped.

Taking breath from his nose he paused. The unending feast awaits ... cannot kill her now ... The thought set him to pause before he started to suck down even more. Relaxing his grasp slightly his jaws unwound releasing Scarlette's neck leaving it stained red with her own blood. Glancing down at it, his tongue darted out once more lapping up what was left upon her skin leaving it almost pristine save for the numerous teeth marks running circles about it. With restraint he returned Scarlette to the ground.

"There, now then the key is what you want correct? You'll have to explain more about these so called homunculi." His hands dropped to his side as he licked his lips. His amber eyes turned down towards the so-called Red Terror they're focus misty. Rhesus would learn more before he bit the bullet and allowed her to look for the key.

[Vio]

⁷

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The feeling of her blood being sapped from her body was hardly an unfamiliar one, but this time it was coupled with the strange sensation of myriad teeth digging into her flesh. No pain, yet she winced anyway as she felt the process begin. It was unsettling. For a moment, she considered the vulnerability of Rhesus’ position. Despite how he held her, his own vital veins and arteries were exposed to her reach.

However, Scarlette instead toyed with ideas, pondering the possibilities. What if she could create Homunculi directly from her blood, rather than having to commit to the full process? She could picture it. Rhesus choking and retching in pain as a Homunculus forced its unnatural way down his gullet, beating him to a pulp from the inside out. No Haki could protect him from that. But that was an impossibility, wasn’t it…?

^{He resisted temptation, she noted:
It seems I’ve managed to plant the seed…}

“What more is there to tell you? They’re made from my blood,” Miss Grimm-Rosa said, matter-of-factly. She considered for a moment – what else was there that she could explain to him? Her head visibly tilted in thought. Perhaps the better question was, what was there that she could not explain? Inhaling, listening to the thundering rains without, she collected her understandings. For a moment, in the corner of her eye, she could have sworn she had seen the strange silhouette of the Tane Tane no Mi, dangling from the ceiling like a man hung from the gallows. “I can make dozens of them if I want, so long as I have enough blood left in my veins. Each and every one of them I create listens to my every order, without question. They’re not smart. They don’t act without guidance – they don’t even defend themselves unless I actually command them to. Strangely, they even look a little like me – like I did as a child…”

She did not say anything more at first. Did he need to know of the Gigasculus or the Chevalier Blanc? No.

^{“Water will destroy them,” Scarlette reassured him:
“And they really aren’t that durable, anyway…”}

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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[Flame]

"Alright then." Rhesus stood up his, calculating mind mulling over thoughts in his head while trying to distract itself from the meal before him. Then turning his eyes upward he looked past the shackled prisoner and to the storm gusting its way about the island. A sly grin slid upon his face as he looked out upon his world.

Bringing two fingers two his lips he let out a loud whistle. The sound of it echoed through the room ringing in all the pairs of ears before being lost to the fury of the tempest beyond. Allowing it to fade for a moment he looked to Scarlette and held his hand up as if to tell her to not say a word.

There was silence, or so much a silence as one could have on Mulyssa Nemo. A single creak broke that for a moment but no more. The overlord of Mulyssa Nemo turned to glance in the direction of the creak and smiled. His tongue licked his lips as he spoke, "Bring the keys." There was a moment's pause followed by yet another creak and then once again the silence.

Bringing up a hand he glanced at it in the dim light of the room. His fingers curled up and then flexed outwards as his eyes slid over it with loving care. The elegance and grace of movement, there was a beauty in them inherent in only his kind. Water out of thin air pooled in his hand swirling softly in his palm. The limber grace of human fingers and the power of fishmen both found their home here. A creak and the jingle of keys broke the moment and the water in his hand vanished dissipating back from whence it came.

"Come see the fate that awaits you." The dim light of the room finally illuminated it. Plodding across the floor on hands and knees was the shape of a woman probably a few years Scarlette's senior. In her mouth was gripped a basket full of keys freshly taken from their usual place in the other room. She was naked, well there was some cloth about her but it failed to cover much of anything. A body shredded was what was to be seen, bite marks arrayed across her body, pink flesh left unhealed from many a use. Worst of all the eyes, blank pupils shone not at all dropped upon her pale skin and thinning hair. She looked a ghost brought back from Yomi itself.

Crawling forward like a beat dog, his servant dropped the keys at his feet. Rhesus looked down upon her and smiled. Lifting a single foot he patted her gently upon her shoulder with it. Each pat pushed her to the ground and was followed by a soft yelp.

Glancing over at Scarlette Rhesus gestured with a hand. "Your key is likely one of those. You may look for it."

[Vio]

⁸

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Another one of his victims, is it? Don’t worry. People like you are the reason I’m here, Scarlette said in silence. She watched coldly, moving only to readjust the bandages wrapped about her own form, as the ragged woman bled dry deposited that which she sought at their lord and master’s feet. Even in the dimmed illuminations, the colour of many a key glistered slightly. Though some were rusted and worn from age, others still held a dull, metallic lustre. There must have been a few dozen of them at least, some collected in sets upon metal loops, while others lay separated.

“Thank you,” she replied. A part of her did not want to approach. Had he seen through her deceit? Unlikely. She had been straight and guarded, cautious even, from the moment she arrived. Miss Grimm-Rosa knew by now, as well. Haki, no matter how finely tuned, did not allow one to uncover the truth. Maybe it did? She did not know – there was so much more to know. What she did know was that she had not lied to him. Everything she had told Rhesus, though selective, was also honest.

She steeled herself.

With a certain nonchalance, the Overseer’s guest approached, crouching down and reaching carefully for the offering. All the while, she remained painstakingly aware of Rhesus’ presence – his aura. He was strong. Fast, too. Superior to her in many a way. To be cautious here was no fool’s errand. One. Two. Three keys clicked between her fingers, and from the basket she pulled them free. It was time to test the locks…

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

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Starring…

_{Scarlette Grimm-Rosa (960018)}

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