[color=darkcyan][h3]Deeandra~[/h3][/color]
[i]~Several Hours Later~[/i]

[i]tick... tock.[/i]

     Now cleaned from her wounds, the snow leopard sat in a large regal chair centered in the dimly lit room, ears flicking in irritation with her newfound guest.  Thick medical gauze hid itself beneath the layers of white fabric wrapped tight against her shoulder, the wound itself being rather shallow causing an annoying sting, taking form through an apparent lack of patience.  The clock on the wall continued ticking obnoxiously, as minutes dragged on, offering no new developments in Marcus’ surgery.  When the bullet entered his abdomen, the metal wished to slow its onslaught by tearing its way into his ascending colon, eventually lodging itself in surrounding tissue, causing massive internal hemorrhaging and a particularly nasty opportunity for infection.  Upon removal of the foreign object, portions of the organ would have the same fate.  Even if he did survive, the recovery would be a long one.  Aside from this, shrapnel from the flying debris led to the amputation of his tail.  More than likely, the greatest blow came to his pride.  

     For now, all the family could do was wait…that and entertain their guest.

     Placing her hand on a temple she massaged it, forming methodical circles, as to prevent snapping any further.  Feigning a smile, sarcasm lined with irritation began entering her tone despite the initial plans of remaining civil, [color=darkcyan]“Riki [@Zen ego], to what do I owe this [i]pleasure[/i].  You truly have a knack for showing your mug at the worst of times.”[/color]  Picking up a throwing knife off the table Dee twisted it in her hands, before throwing it his direction, the movement controlled enough to snip the fur on the edge of his left ear.  Landing against the wooden walls, the item embedded itself with a soft thud.  [color=darkcyan] “I haven’t the time to entertain myself if your trade.  I’m on the hunt for who killed one of my men, not that it should come as any surprise to you.” [/color]  Grabbing a file, she began mindlessly filing her nails.

[I]tick... tock! Tick!...Tock!![/i]

     In her intial rage, Deeandra's blame simply rationalized itself in the idea of the conspiracy being but a chess piece in Sacha’s [@VKAllen] grand scheme.  As time passed by, her mind beginning to function clearly once more, it became blatantly obvious such was not the case.  Nevertheless, Deeandra fully intended on discovering the truth straight from the horse’s mouth, or in this case that of a conniving lynx.  No doubt she would show herself in the Hole very soon.  There was still that date to consider.  A lady like herself?  Missing out on a chance to keep her enemies close and avoiding having to use Riki for information?  All too good to pass up on. 

     Sticking her hand out, pleased with the result she placed the file back on the table, growing tired of this 'beating around the bush nonsense'.  [color=darkcyan] “Alright, Rik.  We’ve been [i]friends[/i] for a long time; neither of us is oblivious to the actions of the other.  I know you know I’m trying to cut ties.  You know I know it is [i]unfathomably [/i] more challenging than I’d prefer.  And we both know we’d kill the other if possible.  So what do you say we stop playing in sandboxes?” [/color]  

[i]TICK!... TOCK![/i]

     Pinching the bridge between her nose, she unholstered her Tiger’s eye, as a loud pop replaced the sound of the infernal contraption.  By no means had she ever loathed a clock as this, or its mockery.