Aros just thought:
Clean. Clean... control. I am in. Control.

Aros's eye practically trembles, pupil jerking to and fro in jerk nystagmus. The mechanical orb
remains unwaivering, meeting your gaze as he moves himself a half step backward. Ever so carefully
he untangles his grip from your wrist, blood staining the claws and a few minute droplets falling
from the floor as he lowers the limb. "I do not like... I am not in contact with people." he utters.
His features are utterly placid, lips drawn in a smooth line that speaks no emotion.

Aros's gaze shifts downward as heartbeats pass and his wings, and eye, relax. "There is nothing to
apologize for. Save the drawing of blood. I do intend to be a gracious host." he replies. He casts
you a small, curious expression, then suddenly turns about and he returns to the fire. One hand
rests upon the mantle, a final droplet of blood staining its top when his claw makes contact with
it, and he leans forward to gaze into the depths of the flames. "I have something you want, Elene.
This is the truth. It still does not constitute power. Nevertheless."

You have emoted: Elene allows her arm to remain upraised, and the blood trickles down to her elbow
before dripping off in quiet splashes of blood. Unbothered, she flicks the rest of the forming blood
beads onto the floor, and then allows the arm to swing back to her side. She shifts in position
against the wall of the shop behind her. It is perhaps now clear that she normally does not wear a
militaristic sundress of jade green, for she seems uncomfortable in it; even so, she strives to
appear unaffected and natural. "I apologise," she offers. "It is a natural... instinct of mine."

> I want to know the Aros beneath those thoughts.

Aros's gaze shifts downward as heartbeats pass and his wings, and eye, relax. "There is nothing to
apologize for. Save the drawing of blood. I do intend to be a gracious host." he replies. He casts
you a small, curious expression, then suddenly turns about and he returns to the fire. One hand
rests upon the mantle, a final droplet of blood staining its top when his claw makes contact with
it, and he leans forward to gaze into the depths of the flames. "I have something you want, Elene.
This is the truth. It still does not constitute power. Nevertheless."

Aros lifts his gaze to you once more, studying you from beneath his unpinned bangs. "What is it you
bring that does not end the same as it did for you. Before."

Aros flexes his talons with a leathery creak, idly clicking them together.

You have emoted: Elene's chest rises and falls steadily as she considers Aros' words. Her features
are set in a mask of neutrality, an aura of detachment radiating from her frame as her pale gaze
gleams once, then flattens to disguise any emotion. "Mm," she hums, her familiar verbal expression
of thought. "I do not desire to join Spinesreach. I simply want to clear away the stain of my past."
She pauses.

You have emoted: Her response does not answer Aros' questions, but Elene does seem to be taking her
time to answer as she tilts her head upwards, revealing the pale hollow of her neck and glimpses of
the numerological symbols that run along the base of her chin, along her jawline.

Aros's head tilts as he accepts your words, not quite a nod but almost there. "I know this. You wish
to wash it away. Why would I..." he cuts off, gaze suddenly taken by the symbols as if seeing them
in an entirely new light. "Why.." he murmurs, then jerks his gaze to the flames. He falls silent,
his poise of a man... waiting.

You lick your lips.

> Spit it out, woman.

You have emoted: Over time, it becomes clear that Elene is simply hesitant to answer the question,
rather than prolonging the delivery of one.

Struggling to put it in words, you say, "I.. I do what my faith tells me to do. If She breathes the
order, I follow it... and lay it at Her feet, regardless of the. Consequences."

> Don't say what you can't promise.

Aros slowly presses his weight against the mantle, forcing his body upright. "Elene. I require an
answer. A real answer. So this is what will happen. You will provide me with one, or something of
equal value. Until then, I see no reason to aid you in attaining what it is you wish." he says,
finally, utter composure schooling his words not unlike before - he is well articulated and each
word is quite clearly chosen.

Aros just thought:
A break. Silence. Control. This is what we need.

You have emoted: Elene exhales silently, allowing the lounge to fall quiet with conversation even as
the musicians continue to play. Eventually, as the eerie calmness threatens to fester, she says,
"Don't go. I'll provide you with your answer."

Aros's shoulder rolls in the slightest of shrugs, but there is a glint in his eyes that is more than
the reflection of the fire light. "You may think on it, if you so wish." he offers.

Aros flexes his talons with a leathery creak, idly clicking them together.

You have emoted: Something different rakes across Elene as a soft hiss escapes from her mouth as she
appears to seize control of herself, not unlike Aros. However, hers seem to be a bit unnatural, as
if she is possessed by a different being. The edges of her lips are tugged to form a faint smirk as
she shifts both arms forward, scarred fingers twining about each other as she addresses Aros. "No,"
she responds, refusing that offer.

Firmly, you say, "It was never my intent to harm Spinesreach in the past. What was shared was
information that was useless and publicly available, a way to lull someone into thinking he had a
hold on me when he never did."

Aros just thought:
There.

Firmly, you say, "Nonetheless, I admit that it was an act of treason when I did what I did, and I
have spent my years of exile, suffering for the consequences of my choices."

Aros listens with a quiet, controlled patience. He does not miss a word of your, though as he
listens his eyes seem to move back and forth as if he were reading the words. "Yes. For as many
years as you have, it would seem so. For yourself - would you accept this time as worthy punishment
from another?" he poses in return. He keeps his hand atop the mantle and slowly begins to drum his
claws upon its top.

After a poignant pause, her voice lowering into a soft hiss, you say, "Would you?"

Softly, Aros Riahl, Shadow Judge asks, "Honestly?"

You have emoted: Elene's withered tongue darts out from her mouth, her gaze burning with intensity
as she levels them at Aros.

> Pain prickles at the periphery of her senses, the sensation blooming wetly like a pool of blood and
transforming into the sickening sweet sensation of pleasure.

> The sensation keeps your mind sharp, as it filters down to the rest of your body, rousing her
sensitive nerve endings.

Aros lifts his gaze properly to you once more, the smile on his lips faint yet clearly present. "I
do not hoard power, nor does it incite some sort of lust within me. Still, I think there is more
that I might have of you, Elene." he says.

Aros just thought:
How much more do we want? I. I want.

> Does he really want me to say it? Aloud? Surely he knows.

You have emoted: Elene remains silent, but her burning gaze does not shift from Aros' features, nor
does her lips part to grant any further answer. However, she shifts from where she is, her lithe
legs taking her across the floor of the lounge until she stands before Aros.

You say, "What else do you desire to hear from me, Senator?"

Aros finally lets his hand fall, gives a lavish stone fireplace one last look, then turns to
consider you as you approaches. "We shall see." is all that he replies before he turns and makes his
way to the door. As he walks he produces an elegant Dragon's head cane from somewhere beyond your
line of vision. He stops at the doorway and turns to consider you.

Aros Riahl, Shadow Judge says, "You have my support, Elene. I will see to what I can."

Aros just thought:
We are very curious.

You have emoted: Elene dips her head briefly, acknowledging Aros, Her gaze softens fractionally, but
the hard gleam still persists. "Mm," she vocalises.

In somewhat darker tones, Aros Riahl, Shadow Judge says, "We will be in touch. I have no doubt."