Sometimes, one could see their own doom, their own demise. It couldn't be helped. As the wrath of heavens descended and embedded deep into his flesh, the man who had withstood a hundred battles and braved a thousand risks, couldn't help but smile faintly. [i]Worth. It.[/i] SLAP! Like a puppet without strings, Rinaldo fell down to the ground, his head bent in the direction of the blow, all of his limbs sprawling, and his legs slightly twitching. This probably was a bad way to end one's journey through life. Unfortunately for Marianne, and fortunately for the Raven Knights, the old man seemed to have been imbued with the resilience of a cockroach, and after twitching a couple of times more, he deftly sprung back to his feet, rubbing the red hot mark of his cheek. "Same temper as all Delacroix women, too." He said faintly, before starting a brisk pace again, staggering just once. To the eyes of the casual observer, it appeared as it had been some sort of residual damage, as his knee bent near the Nem woman, but the reason for that was different. A small voice, almost imperceptible whisper was conveyed to the woman. "I'm stepping out of this, up to you, kid. Call it professional deference. Nobody in [i]our[/i] job likes to be used as bait." He conveyed, as he quickly got up, and pondered what to do afterwards... [hr] Sult frowned so slightly, as she eyed the small, petite piece of metal in her hand. Dressed in a lovely gown, with just a dagger, she wasn't much of a knight in guarding duties, was she? However, the paintings did offer a small consolation, as they actually rekindled her love of history and old tales. She recalled how many times she had taken a quick trip to the library, to keep reading the stories of people past, only to fall asleep under a pile of books. Eliabelle, now having recovered some of her wits, was attempting to bring some sort of conversation. She mentioned Heartfire. Sult knew of the book at passing glance. Famous. Somewhat entertaining, but trite, soapy and far from a masterpiece. "Meh, Doggy Tales or How I learned not to fear the Adult World is a half-adequate past-time." She snorted, her arms folding somewhat. " I personally am partial to the Waltz of the Maddening Prince." She said, citing a rather antiquate but highly regarded cultural masterpiece of several volumes long about the tragedy of Prince Mern the mad. "It is much better if you can handle the obscure languages." There was something else that caught her attention then, more vividly than any past history, or book. Her eyes became transfixed and wide, seeing the court's mage qualities up close and in the flesh. Her hand moved quicker than her mind in that regard, and not heeding the call of her wits, firmly planted herself in the ample bosom of the magician. "By Reon's tits.These.Are.Real." Sult added, jaw widening in awe. She had just thought the light had been playing games, or the boredom up until that point. And then it was when it hit home. She was manhandling the Court Mage, in front of the Princess she hated so much. As if bitten by a snake, her hand retracted quickly, red flushing to her cheeks. "Sorry. I didn't m-mean to....be...it's just that...Don't get mad..." She, Sult the tease, felt overwhelmed by her own embarassment, and she wished something did happen. It was then, when an even more outrageous thing happened. Three plates with stacks of pancakes, all covered in lime jam were floating outside the princess window, guided by an outside arm. And then a body. And then the characteristical old man face and long moustache. "Heh, the door was closed, but I guess i found another way in, uh?" The man excused himself, as he cheekily opened the door, depositing the stacks of food in the princess room. "Some food won't hurt now, after some much happening, eh, your highness?" "What the hell are you doing here? How? When?" Sult snapped, her dagger tightly wrapped. "Oh, my sweet Sult, don't blame an old man for wanting to take a rest while the youths do war, and stuff." The rogue smiled. "Besides, a crypt with necromancers is within your domain. Weren't you the one supposed to have priestess training? So leave this to me, and go save your sweet sweet little thing of a captain from them undead munchers." Sult flared up once more, as she raised her hand. She was going to slap the old man, but then, it all clicked in her mind. She had to go. A crypt was better than reminiscing old vendettas with a princess. She brushed her dress, and offering some sort of hurried curtsy, she excused herself. "Ifyou'llexcusemehighnessI'llhavetogonowbye!" She finally said in a quick succession, as she hurried up for the nearest exit. And, of course, Rinaldo was having an eyeful as she did so, as much as his attention was divided between the Royal jewels, the Magician's tomes, Christina's armor plating, or Sult's own Sunfield rear. "Mmm, such a cute backside. Doesn't lose to Nero in that regard..." The old man said, twirling his moustache, and before waiting for an answer clapping. "So, Highness, ladies, gents, who wants some pancakes and some interesting stories of an old rogue?" He smiled. [hr] Sult cursed under her breath, as she readjusted her armor. She was wearing something crude, and inelegant. And above all, similar to Nero's. She couldn't find her own armor in time, so someone had prepared one for hers. She blamed her sibling for the Raven Knights knowing her exact sizes and measurements. [i]I don't like to look like that jerk.[/i] Glances were stolen at Nero and Fanilly, respectively. She couldn't help but tighten her fist at how regal Nero was looking, instructing his own troops. Her attention was drawn upon Marianne's vicious and accurate bow shot, dropping the guard in an instant. "Sparky is quite worked up tonight, isn't she?" Nero whispered to her ear. "Shut up." The tricky knight sulked, as she looked at the mausoleum as if it was an horror. [i]I don't like this one bit[/i] Meanwhile, Martina would see a single Raven Knight, with pink ribbons attached to her armor, giving the dwarf a thumbs up. "Like, I like that plan. Smash bad guys!" Mariah added, twirling [i]twin daneaxes[/i] in her hands, and earning a slap from Bobd.