[color=c0c0c0]"Very well."[/color] Nemo stated. 

[color=c0c0c0]"Your name on the list was what originally peaked my interest, and I wasn't lying when I said I sought companionship. It isn't often I get to converse with someone like this, for that I'm grateful. But you're right, the above reasons are too simple for me to go out of my way just for you. One might guess I did it for the challenge, but this time that would be incorrect."[/color] Nemo explained. 

[color=c0c0c0]"You're insurance, the second coming of Gandhi up there might be pretty zen, but I don't think he'll ever be zen enough to let me off the hook with a slap on the wrist once this is done. I surely wasn't picked by his free will, he only tolerates me because I'm on Santa's list, but once this is all over, with our history, the incident with ole' Garvian and his squad, I think he has no reason to continue our truce. With that contingency in mind, you make the perfect choice. Because now Felix knows that if he intends to cross me, there can be consequences that don't even involve me having to duke it out with him for the fate of the universe again, as fun as that sounds. I don't think he's a man who will respond to the fear of what I could do to him, or anybody else here. But I think he will fear what I could do to [i]you[/i]."[/color] With his answer finished, Nemo paused for a few moments.

[color=c0c0c0]"I understand that's probably an uncomfortable pill to swallow, for that, and my intrusion upon your work I deeply apologize. It may seem like a dastardly notion, but please understand it's only what I want [i]Felix[/i] to fear. [i]Fear[/i] is one of my greatest agents I have at my disposal. Something that despite it's wickedness, is often key to my survival. If I were to actually hurt you, it would be a betrayal and failure, to you, to our partnership, and my word. Preserving that is something I value much more than preserving my own life. But that's something Felix doesn't have to know."[/color]

Nemo seemed to be considering something for a moment before continuing. [color=c0c0c0]"Amidst all the terrible things, one thing I'm known for is that I [i]always[/i] keep my word. So I'm going to offer you, should you choose to accept it, the age-old Japanese tradition of [i]yubikiri[/i]. Otherwise known as the [i]'pinky swear'[/i]."[/color] Nemo said as removed his signature glove, something he had gone through great lengths to keep on so far. The nails on his right hand weren't sharp and pointed like his left, instead they smoothed off where his fingertips ended. [color=c0c0c0]"I promise I'll protect you, Raiya."[/color] Nemo said, extending his un-gloved pinky out to her.