Board Thread:Role Plays/@comment-25389303-20191221164519/@comment-5999656-20200104064238

Despite her better judgment, Zan couldn't help but grin at Diaboli's mention of her condescending attitude. It was a bad habit of hers, talking down to others, and the fact that it cropped up again was a prodding reminder for her to curb her self-importance.

Diaboli's question, however, brought her back to the solemn present. The answer had already begun to form in her mind before he finished speaking. The only question now was how to frame it. She'd had enough of standing here taking Diaboli's vitriol and insults. In that case, perhaps it was time to kill this conversation, and leave everything in the dust.

"Simply put, it's because I didn't want to. Too much effort for literally no gain."

Zanipher uncrossed her legs, and slowly got to her feet. She dusted off her suit pants and straightened up.

"You're a fun guy to hang out with, I won't lie. That time we killed Gren together - fantastic," Zan said, mind briefly wandering to the moment they tag-teamed the addicted ex-Huntsman. She reached up and stretched luxuriously.

"But I am a criminal businesswoman first and foremost. Like you, I do what is best for myself always. I choose allies based on their usefulness to me. And I never saw you as the team player type. Always making it personal. It's quite telling that your greatest ally is a drone with no free will. In another life, we could have been friends. Unfortunately, there are things I care about more than your friendship."

Zan reached up and readjusted her suit jacket. Her face was stony.

"You came all this way alone just for an apology. Or to hold me accountable, I don't know. I can't give you a satisfactory explanation. I just weighed the pros and cons, and decided that it wasn't worth the effort to maintain our... secret relationship any longer."

Zan gave a long sigh.

"I've got a network to maintain, you know."

She glanced down at the crushed ball of metal lying on the ground.

"You offered me your gun earlier in the conversation, with an ultimatum. And now you turned that weapon to junk, so you can't play that game anymore. But if you'd like, I can still make my choice."

Zan reached behind her, and slowly slid a concealed black pistol from her belt. She cradled it in both hands, one gripping the trigger, and the other supporting the barrel.

"I'm not sure if I still need to, though. I'll still let you walk out of here untouched, you know."