[i]Ruby succeeded in getting Shashous-Throth in a headlock, but it would be an awkward one. It was huge, slippery, and very cunning. No monster could have survived so long through strength alone. It took wiles. It could have kept its tail wrapped about her leg, but it didn't. It could have drawn back its tail, but it hadn't done that either. The strong tail had been kept free and available so that it could slither up to entwine itself about Ruby's sword arm as she tried to swing. If this came to pass, then a second later the Magna Pater would reach forth to plant its long, hideous left paw upon the woman's chest to pin her torso in place, with the other limb creaking quickly out and grasping for the girl's free arm to keep her from taking up another weapon. It desired to restrict her entirely, that it may release her likely mangled leg and begin forcing its way further in with the unrelenting persistance of a rogue bear, misty red fumes puffing out of its slavering maw and warming Ruby's stomach. A decidedly un-animalistic sound would reverberate from within its heaving frame. A throaty, bubbling laugh that was almost like a maniacal sobbing. Its eyes, both wretchedly stupid and smart at the same time, gleamed with dull sadism. It intended to eat out the assassin's guts whilst she still lived. [/i]