[b][i]Ashton Andrews[/i][/b] 

The moment of truth had come earlier than expected, but Ashton was relieved not to find himself unprepared. Far from it. When confronted by a stormy Belrigger, the young man didn't posture, didn't boast. Instead, he took a deep breath and read over the paper, making sure that Mithril had overlooked no details. Then he faced the man and his pupils, before bowing to the Gladiator Master.

Getting up, he finally gave his reply, "The people I met were people I failed to protect; they came with me from a far away land, and suffer under the same curse, a curse that locks what we can safely say about its nature while giving us some knowledge of things better left forsaken."

A sigh, "As for specific details, the redhead tied to the Noble Gris Art Fortye is Flame Brooks, my other half and the love of my life despite the disapproval of society. And the other man, the one with 'ties' to your enemy, is Alistair Archibald, and he is an apprentice of the Vasilis family and closely tied to Mono. Nevertheless, he has seen fit to give me important information."

He looked at Belrigger, looking him in the eye briefly but careful to shift his gaze just before it was taken as a challenge. "There is a new form of the Witch Cult in this place, one called The High Council. They have made artificial replicas of the infamous Witches of Sin through unknown means, and those duplicates have a plan for Priestella."

Ashton's lips pursed, "And said plan will not be anything good for this city, or those who live in it." He was tempted to make a gesture, to stretch his hand and arm out over the table. But that would be too much. "My own group, despite my blunders, despite the fact that I was tricked into killing one of them whom I cherished as a friend, is the best chance to stop these Replicae."

Another pause to let the words register in Bellrigger and Co's minds. "And my plan was simple - Bring you and the authorities into conflict, then lure a third faction in to force you and said authorities into a truce and alliance against said third faction. Candidates for the forces we are luring in are either the Demihuman Liberation Front - The Bandits - or the High Council itself as the curse placed on our group's words makes us interesting to them and their objects of worship."

Now was the time to look Belrigger in the eye. "Before you get up and smash my head with a maul for that last revelation, there's one thing I want you to know: I am determined to see this through, [i]Master[/i]. I've gone through pain, I've gone through the mistrust of others, I've gone through grief and finally, I've felt shame, guilt, and failure. I will take the opportunity that stands before me to atone for my sin, to save my friends and this city, and if you wish to stop me, at least do me the honor of doing so in a proper duel."

He clenched his fists, transforming once more into his 'Magical Boy' form. "I am ready to fight for what I believe in, Master!"