Board Thread:Role Plays/@comment-5999656-20161216022828/@comment-5999656-20161218214906

Zanipher quickly glanced back at Diaboli, and her entire body tensed. For the first time during their conversation, she was afraid: afraid that she might say the wrong thing. She had to remember the caliber of the man she was speaking to. This wasn't the reaction she'd been expecting, true, she'd expected him to rebuke her for probing, not because it was a sensitive matter. But she hadn't acknowledged the implications such a question suggested.

"I just wanted to know if you have friends or family back home," she said quickly. "Quite a few of my colleagues have people they care about who they make sure to keep far away from the business, no need to get them involved, you know?" She herself was shielding Fen, and while a series of events had led to her sister getting more involved than the young Dragon was comfortable with, she did her best to keep Fen out of trouble.

But what was her impression of Diaboli? His choice of a crazed killer as lieutenant seemed telling enough of his own leadership skills. And he was courageous, far more daring than any other mafia dons she'd met before him. But his response to getting his base blown to smithereens was surprisingly allowing, given what it must have cost him. And he had already exhibited a level of emotional depth here that was not consistent with a typical common criminals. It was the same complexity which the Dragons possessed.

"Let's go outside," Zanipher said, turning and nodding for him to follow her. It was only when they'd stepped outside the coffee shop and were comfortably paced away from any potential onlookers did Zan speak again.

"You're a dangerous man, Diaboli," Zanipher said quietly. "I'd observed your two closest allies to be a deranged murderer and a massive robot incapable of sentient thought. You're alright on your own, it seems," she continued, looking up and studying his profile.

"I thought I would feel more comfortable in your presence if I knew that there was someone who you valued enough to protect. If it's any consolation, I have one such person. It was my last intention to make you out as anything less than what you are," she finished.