[right][color=1462ba][i][h2]Mariette[/h2][/i][/color][color=57a345][h3][i]and Eli[/i][/h3][/color][/right]
Mariette barely kept herself from the slightest of a wicked smirk at Alex’s reply. He was more controlled than she’d have expected, except he was still a force of fury. Excellent.

Before she spoke, she paid attention to what Sue turned to her to say, without even turning her way. Indeed, she was planning on fighting back. And indeed, Amber’s airship was part of that equation… 

[color=186cc7]‘…’[/color] Mariette frowned in that direction, her awareness picking up on something. A tiny portal opened high in the sky, from the eye under an eyepatch to above the ship, looking at it…

[color=186cc7]‘The ship is under attack,’[/color] Mariette replied to Sue. Though, it was too far away for anyone present to change the course of events that would take place next. Eli blinked up from where she was trying to maintain composure, seeing strains of magic from the distance on the flying ship. Several.

It didn’t occur to Mariette to help defend it.

Next, Anaya and Scout gathered. In the past, at the very least Scout had been scouted as a potential for being kidnapped, but was spared on account of being active in Penrose, too close to the home base, as well as being the servant of a Lesser Force. They were unpredictable in how they reacted to kidnappings, so Scout had been passed by as too much of a potential fuss. Anaya, however… was relatively new to Mariette.

Eli froze in realization behind Mariette, her sixth sense of darkness sensing the presence of the blessing of a horror. She hadn’t noticed it during the battle due to distance, but now she could notice the uncomfortable feeling on a closer range. And… with that, got a rough idea of what her bane was. Something about… a specific form of light, of some kind? … Eli felt an immediate sense of sympathy, due to having a very similar bane…

[color=57a345]‘Mistress,’[/color] Eli said with a cautionary tone. Mariette nodded, understanding the matter. This meant this girl, too, could get a sense of what their bane was. [i]Banes[/i], in Mariette’s case. One was a small lit natural flame, applying to both of them. The other was something, which was cracked like damaged glass, applying only to Mariette. … In any case. Anaya spoke about routes to the Overcity, and that she had found the shortest route… Mariette scoffed.

The portal girl standing on her own portal in mid-air considered for a moment, then spoke.

[color=186cc7]‘… There is no need to convince me. Justine attempted to take my life,’[/color] Mariette told and gestured to her appearance, damaged dress and all. [color=186cc7]‘My incentive to send a force of vengeance her way is more than sufficient. And… you have no need to find a “shortest route”,’[/color] Mariette said. She then turned and stared directly at Anaya, thoroughly stale in expression. [color=186cc7]‘[i]I am the shortest route[/i],’[/color] she plainly declared.

[color=186cc7]‘That said,’[/color] she continued, turning to those present. [color=186cc7]‘I have been in contact with Alicia of Beacon. She was here before, wasn’t she? I offered her that I could ferry the forces of Beacon to Justine. I also said I’d mention this to Lily Hanson, for she showed a desire to go there. I’m willing to send you on your way, but perhaps you’d like to join forces, first? With them, and any allies you might have procured. You’ll need them.’[/color]

She then also looked up towards the airship. [color=186cc7]‘And, in case Amber’s among your allies, I should mention that her ship’s under attack’[/color]—and that’s when something exploded within the ship and it started smoking and falling—[color=186cc7]‘oh.’[/color]

Mariette had a dull expression on her face as she looked up. Should she have told them earlier? Should she have acted? … The answer was inconclusive in her mind. … Hm.

She’d be standing there unmoving for a bit. Eli behind her, silent and staring.

[@BrokenPromise][@Majoras End][@Card Captor] [sub][sub]And because her Third Eye could potentially notice a tiny portal watching the battle on the ship[/sub][/sub] [@FamishedPants]