[02:06] In all his disinterest with Agartha, there were a few who brought color to the vampire's eyes. Sors Ultovex, Anastacia, Famfrit. People he saw thriving in fighting the only fight that mattered against a world that clung to institutions and foundations that only served to shackle and bind. Rindou Sakamoto was one of the few who Malentine had revealed himself to, someone he recognized a familiar passion burning within their struggle and hate.

She was everything he once was,
but not yet what he had become.

"Never once in my life have I apologized for harming someone." He said, making idle banter while swords clashed and clanged. The mighty arcanium sword was brought down hard against the singing azure one in the woman's hands. While the blades locked against one another, that pleasant smile peeled back to reveal fangs, glinting in the forest's light.

"Guilt just.. isn't something that registers anymore!" Malentine's sword was pulled back and swung upward, aiming to tear across Rindou's front and send her sprawling back. Earth coiled around the vampire's form, but his body wouldn't have it, it slipped into a spray of bloody mist that seeped out through the cracks only to slither into one rift and out another at Rindou's flank.

The Black Curtain came down again, smashing into Rindou's weapon, only this time, the vampire wasn't holding it. The sword was moving on its own accord. Malentine reappeared from his misty cloud with icy skewers extending from his hands and then stabbed up, over, and through while his primary weapon pushed Rindou further and further back. It felt like fighting three swords instead of one, three opponentsthat couldn't be beat.

A thunderous explosion of telekinetic might sent Rindou cascading backward into a tree where she cracked the bark and likely some of her own bone. Bloody cuts covered her body, and icy talons were erupting from the ground to skewer her there, deadly intent shining at their tips.

Malentine smiled, a simple smile, and bowed as Anastacia had done to him after their fight. The body was moved, the swordswoman wouldn't be able to reach it.

"But you almost make me want to say 'I'm sorry'." And yet he wouldn't. Fortunately, with his head in that ducked bow, Rindou had that moment to flee, to escape the wintry claws that pushed through the earth with aims to rip her to shreds.
(Malentine Invidia)
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[02:13] Come see my new place.

That really hadn't prepared Sho for what she was going to see, here. One of the most notorious villains in Agartha's history- one she'd felt the after effects of his diabolical schemes- was here fighting a living, breathing sin right in front of her eyes. She was no stranger to combat, but watching this was on a whole other level.

If she really focused, she might find herself trembling. Scared, even. This wasn't something someone witnesses without their spine shaking. But thankfully, it's overwhelmed by two things. First, the symphony of violence. Watching the vampire work has Sho enrapt.

And second... absolute trust in her mentor. If she trusted this vampire, then she'd trust in that trust and expect her not to let her get hurt. In fact, as the fight concludes, she turns to Anastacia and remarks, "Wow...! You're amazing... To get something like that friendly to you is no small feat, mm...?"
(Sho Gwyn)
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[02:32] Crow says, "Hm.."
[02:32] How did going to their new little spot result in this? Now they had one piece of the puzzle gained.

Which is when she watches Malentine dance, across the fields and trading blows with Rindou. But in the end, Rindou was not made for this kind of dance it seems. She may be able to pretend to be Malentine, but she would never have the years of experience that comes beneath those ballroom shoes.

Then finally, that telekinesis blast she has felt before. It sends Rindou sliding back across the dirt. Bones snap and bend, hardly leaving the poor girl in any condition to keep fighting. Pieces of ice torn into her flesh, leaving little cold icicles sticking out from her body.

And then Malentine turns to bow, and she claps her hands! ''Bravo~.'' She announces, flicking her arm out to the side. A ruby rose formed between her fingers, made up of bloodstones shaped by her magic. And it's tossed athis feet, this time without the dramatic shattering effect before.

''Do not worry, Sho Gwyn. Malentine is no normal vampire, he isn't going to lose his mind and try to suck our blood. He's going to work with me on equal footing... Which may be quite complicated, but you should listen to him as you'd listen to me.''

He had proven quite useful, hasn't he? To attack someone he could consider his own... Just for the sake of her claiming a corpse? It makes her smile ever more present before she brings a hand down to Sho's shoulder. ''Grab the body, and let's go.''

If they stayed here for much longer, who knows what else might show up?
(Anastacia Loki)
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