The Offer on My Head, Still Stands

Waiting for her to make a move, Sephiran practically leaned forward in his seat, inviting her to act erratically. His mind went wild with scenarios, ranging from her murdering a stranger, to fighting him in a match to the death. For a moment, he thought she may choose the latter, given the expression she flashed at him. His body tensed, lips curling to flash the entirety of his saber fangs. But then, she made a move he hadn’t anticipated. She went for Aresenn instead of him.

Taking a step back to give them room, Sephiran released a throaty babble of maniacal laughter. The battle didn’t last long, and would end with Aresenn knocking the girl to the ground… but only after the two exchanged a moderate amount of blood. Absinth had removed a chunk from Aresenn’s shoulder, and in return, he tore through her scruff. Both would leave scarring, he was sure. To serve as a reminder of this battle, which would benefit the girl should she ever dare to retaliate again.

“Enough.” Sephiran gave the command before striding forward to interfere. Aresenn had her on the ground, and Sephiran would jump in to attack if she kept retaliating. Shifting his gaze to Aresenn, he inspected the gaping wound on his shoulder, which was dripping blood onto the pristine white pelt of the girl beneath him. He turned his attention down to her, seeking to align his gaze with hers. “Tell me, Absinth.” His tail rose above his hips, pelt bristling in a display of dominance and aggression. “Will you fight for me in that manner?” He didn’t take his gaze off of her, searching for any crack in her expression that might reveal hesitation. "Or are you truly just a scavenger?" If she pleaded her loyalty to him right here and now, he would be impressed. But, if she faltered and denied him what he wanted, he would give Aresenn the command to kill her. So the real scavengers could pick at her bones.

"Sephiran Saxe"