[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/PVXYWf6.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qAakc1A.gif[/img][/center] [center] [color=7DBC89]Race:[/color] Yuan-ti [color=7DBC89]Class:[/color] Rogue Arcane Assassin [color=7DBC89]Location:[/color] Top Deck [color=7DBC89]Interactions:[/color] [@Apex Sunburn] Scratch and Val, [@Helo] Ezekiel [color=7DBC89]Equipment:[/color] [hider=Full Equipment List]🌸 A finely crafted katana 🌸 A concealed dagger laced with paralytic venom 🌸 Throwing needles coated with different poisons 🌸 Black silk combat outfit reinforced with hidden Mithril chainmail 🌸 Soft-soled boots that allow for near-silent movement 🌸 Smoke bombs and illusion charms for quick escapes 🌸 A set of forged documents under multiple aliases 🌸 A tea set and an assortment of teas 🌸 Incense[/hider] [color=7DBC89]Attire:[/color] [color=7DBC89]Gold Balance:[/color] 40 [color=7DBC89]Injuries:[/color] None currently, but has numerous faded scars on her body [img]https://i.imgur.com/phiFSQQ.png[/img][/center] Meiyu didn’t react at first, merely swirling the remnants of her tea as Ezekiel spoke. His conviction was an interesting contrast to the usual self-righteous fools who pretended at morality while turning a blind eye to the uglier truths of the world. But unlike them, he seemed to [I]believe[/I] what he was saying. Fascinating. She took a slow sip, letting the silence stretch between them, her golden eyes watching him over the rim of her cup, never blinking. Finally, she exhaled, the faintest hint of amusement curling at the edges of her lips. [color=7DBC89]“A cruel overreaction,”[/color] she echoed, as if tasting the words. [color=7DBC89]“Perhaps. But tell me, would you have preferred I let him go? Allowed him to sharpen his skills, to grow bolder, more desperate, until one day he chose the wrong mark? Until he met someone far less inclined toward mercy? I guarantee you he will think of this moment the next time he considers stealing and it'll make him consider his actions.”[/color] Her gaze flickered toward Scaerthrynne as he worked, methodical and detached, his attention solely on the task at hand. Efficient, unbothered—she had to admire that. No grand moralizing, no unnecessary outrage. He simply [I]dealt with it[/I]. Her lips quirked slightly at his offhanded dismissal of her reasoning, though it was less amusement and more acknowledgment. That was fine. He wasn’t the one who needed an explanation. Still, when his attention briefly fell on her, his expression unreadable but perhaps curious, she met his gaze directly. [color=7DBC89]“The explanation wasn’t for you,”[/color] she said smoothly, the corners of her mouth twitching in something that was almost a smirk. [color=7DBC89]“I had no illusions that you cared.”[/color] She let the words settle, watching for any flicker of reaction before shifting her gaze back to Ezekiel. [color=7DBC89]“But you,”[/color] she continued, voice softer now, laced with something almost teasing, [color=7DBC89]“seem to think this was an act of cruelty rather than pragmatism.”[/color] A quiet hum left her throat, just above a whisper. [color=7DBC89][I]Mercy’s just a softer blade, dull enough to make you stay.[/I][/color] A pause. Then, a slight shrug. [color=7DBC89]“But if you believe there’s a better way—take him.”[/color] She waved a delicate hand, fingers flicking dismissively. [color=7DBC89]“Mold him into something greater. Teach him kindness, if that’s what you think will keep him alive.”[/color] She wasn’t being cruel. She was simply being [i]honest[/I]. And as Scaerthrynne finished his work with effortless precision, Meiyu idly wondered if he saw it the same way. If he, too, understood that sometimes mercy was just another form of cruelty—delayed, but inevitable. She tilted her head, considering him for a moment longer before letting out a soft, thoughtful hum. [color=7DBC89]“I’ll try to make my next victim’s injury more [I]interesting[/I] for you, doctor,”[/color] she mused, her voice rich with amusement. [color=7DBC89]“Wouldn’t want you getting [I]bored[/I] down here.”[/color] She tapped a single nail against her cup before adding, [color=7DBC89]“Tell me, what [I]does[[/I] make for a more entertaining challenge? Something [I]messier[/I]? A blade wedged between ribs, perhaps? A poisoned wound using a unique poison? A limb dangling by just enough sinew to keep things interesting?”[/color] Her smirk deepened ever so slightly as she took another sip of tea, watching for his reaction. [color=7DBC89]“Or do you prefer something more... [I]delicate[/I]? The sort of wounds where one wrong move decides whether they live or die?”[/color] She let the question linger for a moment before a shift laugh escaped her and she glanced sidelong at Ezekiel. [color=7DBC89]”And before you lose your mind thinking I am some sort of threat or danger on this ship, I assure you I merely jest. I will not harm another soul on this ship. Consider me sufficiently [I]chastised[/I].”[/color] The last word came out in an odd, soft almost hiss as she dipped her head respectfully to Ezekiel.