Her gaze returning to Souma as he spoke, Galina gave the man a small, sideways grin - and then she laughed. She had not caught what passed between brother and sister, not exactly, but the gist was clear enough to her discerning ears. Ai would tolerate her brother's choice, however much she disapproved - and maybe it had been a decision well-lubricated with those two servings of [i]sake?[/i]

No matter, there would be no bloodshed. Galina had still bowed respectfully to Ai as she left, far lower than the meager, reluctant bow she'd been given. She steadfastly ignored the pang of hurt she could do nothing to settle as she watched Ai depart, a ghost of wistfulness lingering in her dark eyes. She remained silent for a moment longer, until after the Takahiro Matriach was gone, before letting the breath she held past her lips when Souma's voice washed over her.

"Oh no Souma, I apparently know far less about [i]yakuza[/i] than I ought. If I'd understood near so much as I and my foolish pride once believed? I might have avoided a broken rib or two about a month or so ago?" Galina winked slyly at Souma, grinning widely, letting him know without a word that she was merely teasing - and enjoying herself at that. 

"No, what I know best is very dangerous people. I grew up among them. Ai is one, and you most [i]certainly[/i] are." Such words from most anyone else might have sounded as if they verged on insulting, but spoken as Galina did then? There was not the least doubt, she considered this the very highest of praise.

She shrugged lightly, still smiling as she leaned forward, her matchless voice lowering conspiratorially. "The secret is, [i]never let them see your fear![/i] Dangerous people can smell fear you know, and it drives them simply [i]mad.[/i] Let one catch a whiff of your fear, your hesitation or worry or doubt?" She traced the edge of one thumb lightly across her neck, lifting her eyebrows meaningfully.

"You're a dead man... " Her dark eyes widened playfully, mouth pursed to a tiny "o" and her fingers wiggling at him for a moment before her hands fell back to her lap. Galina interlaced her fingers with a sigh, chuckling softly as her expression became more thoughtful. The laughter tapered away as she studied nothing in particular on the small, elegant table, her face inscrutable for several long moments. 

- Until her face snapped back up to Souma's, something dark and very dangerous flitting swiftly across her face, no matter the sudden, sly and feral smile. "Come, show me all we will need - free, found, just waiting to be taken, yes? - so we will make dead men of our very own."