[b]Hsien![/b] “Pathetic,” Lady Foxfire says, sweet and bubbly and, underneath, a little sour. Like poisoned lemonade. If she ever got stuck inside of a vending machine, that’s what she would be. You, on the other hand, are just a poor little meow meow. “From what I heard, you were almost making something of yourself, kidnapping girls and tossing them off buildings, coming up with schemes— and now you’re cowering like a kit. Can’t even get your side of the story out!” But it wouldn’t. Not really. This isn’t really real (you can tell your panicked heart, and see where that gets you). Her smile’s as sharp as a knife, and her nails are the same. She reaches out with the confidence of a woman who knows the world should revolve around her, lifts your chin, and traces your lower lip with her thumbnail in a way that would be flirtatious if she wasn’t, in a way, your mother. “You’re going to make me embarrassed, you silly little thing.” [hr] [b]Shifu![/b] Here’s the compromise you manage: that Izi [i]does[/i] take that photo, having not correctly interpreted the begging body language of an elephant, but she hasn’t sent it to anyone. Yet. It’s just there, on her phone, with the potential to ruin your life. Oh, by the way— the Vermillion Princess seems to be trying to get your attention. Izi and Joshua haven’t heard it yet, probably, but you’ve got big ol’ ears, and those are some insistent [i]mmmmph[/i]s coming from Joshua’s room, and that would be even worse for Izi to find out…