Board Thread:Role Plays/@comment-25389303-20191221164519/@comment-25389303-20191224111314

The sound of surprise in Zanipher's voice was confirmation enough for Diaboli's suspicions, though the rare lapse in control was almost enough to startle him slightly. This time he kept pace with the Dragon as they walked, turning his head slightly to keep her in view, and listening intently to her every word.

"Because while I have all the pieces to the puzzle, they don't fit as well as I'd like," he replied when they stopped, his voice carrying a hint of disappointment at Zanipher's lack of elaboration. He waited for several seconds, hoping that his companion would pick up on his train of thought. When she didn't, he sighed and fished out the Scroll from his coat pocket.

"You're really going to make me lay out all the evidence? Fine. I took the liberty of doing a bit of digging into that FenHong girl you mentioned. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about - that, and being trailed by her friends on two different continents is enough to spark anybody's curiousity. Imagine my surprise when I found this..."

After scrolling through the windows of his device, Diaboli turned it around to show Zanipher. On it were two student records from Beacon Academy, complete with names and pictures.

"The resemblance is uncanny, don't you think?" Diaboli said, though is he was pleased with himself regarding the discovery, he didn't show it. "The hair and eyes might throw off most people, but side by side she is quite clearly your sister.

"At first I thought she had been given away at birth - your sister, I mean. Perhaps to prevent a succession issue, or something. But after seeing a picture of the Suzhens, I realised my mistake. She wasn't the one that they abandoned - you were."

The Scroll in Diaboli's hand loudly snapped shut, and he returned the device to his coat. Leaning one shoulder against the cold stone wall, he looked at Zanipher with a neutral expression.

"It's been...difficult...knowing you haven't been straight with me, Zan," he said after a moment, making an effort to keep his tone calm and steady. "And we both know I'm not talking about your family history. The goodwill is clearly only going one way. And it isn't towards me."