Despite Pahn’s tone, Anora scowled at being called ‘child.’
	“I’m [i]not[/i] a--O-okay!” she finished in surprise as he easily lifted her into his arms then strode to the side of the crater as if the mud that had hindered her own steps did not even exist. When he jumped up to the surrounding concrete of the street, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck as if that would help prevent her from falling. Her eyes pulled from him only once they were on the solid street.
	When he placed her on her feet, she took a couple steps back, her awed gaze never leaving him. She released a breath she had not realized she held, her gaze coming to rest on the unusually colored bead of blood streaking down his skin.
	She absently started to nod at his question, but stopped, the feeling of being watched again stepping unnervingly down her spine.
	[color=violet]“How should [i]I[/i] know?”[/color] she breathed, wrapping her arms loosely over her midsection.
	Everything from the way he looked at her to the strength and power in his presence kindled a war inside her. A part of her yelled for her to run the other way, telling her she should be afraid of someone who just destroyed a city block, and who knew what else where his spears had landed. The ghoul she had chased was one thing, but the being standing before her? The gray-skinned man? The reptile woman? Sure, she always thought she had a fairly open mind, but [i]they[/i] were a league all their own. Something far above her head. But another, stronger part wanted, [i]needed[/i] to know more about him. It longed for the side of the world he represented. It told her she was safe, here, with this perfect stranger. He seemed so familiar, as if she knew him, yet she had never met him before in her life. She had no reason to trust him, no reason to have dared risk her life to try pulling him from his silent, unmoving rage. Yet, she did, and she had, some sort of pull compelling her forward. She wanted to see him safe, the thought of him being in harm’s way making a knot form in her stomach.
	Confliction contorting her face, she snorted and shook her head, breaking her gaze away from his and taking another step back.
	[color=violet]“This... this is [i]insane![/i]”[/color] she hissed, her body and hands moving animatedly and emphasizing the last word by quickly moving to and from her temples. A haze of glittering purple inadvertently flashed over her fingers with the action and her emotions. It made a few strands of her hair stand on end from the unexpected electricity, and her eyes glowed for a short second. Still, she could not bring herself to look away from Pahn for long. Curiosity, intrigue, and confusion burned in her violet gaze. Her voice rose slightly as she continued. [color=violet]“Who [i]are[/i] you? [i]What[/i] are you?”[/color] She took another step back, the mud on her thick-heeled boots leaving prints on the concrete. She glanced almost disbelievingly around at the destruction surrounding them, and ran a hand exasperatedly through her hair. [color=violet]“What on earth is [i]happening[/i] here?”[/color]
	She stared at him intensely, daring him to not answer her. She pulled her hand from her hair and placed it tenderly on the side of her injured shoulder. Her spirited movements made the fabric pull and ruffle irritatingly against the small wounds, reminding her once more that this was not all just in her head.
	Anora spun around when police and firetruck sirens sounded from further in the city, the irritating cacophony growing swiftly louder. She inhaled and took a backwards step toward Pahn, before turning back to him.
	[color=violet]“You said you clean up after yourself well, right?”[/color] she asked in a rush, glancing back over her shoulder. [color=violet]“Might want to hop to it unless you want to explain this to Homeland Security or something.”[/color]