"I want that, yes. That's exactly what I want. Take me there, now!"

Bella's lips are plastered in a permanent smirk that almost hides the twitching of her claws. She crosses her legs with liquid smoothness, but makes no motion to stand. Behind her back, her tail is curling close against her body. She clamps her hand on the armrest of her throne and squeezes until the stone splinters. 

Why? She's already given the order. She should be standing, striding, sauntering leisurely to the end of the rainbow to collect her treasure and take it home. But she doesn't move. But her throat is dry in a way that doesn't call for more wine. But her head is buzzing and her eyes are carving out the lines that would reduce Omn from a model advisor to a pile of ribboned scrap metal. It's told her nothing that doesn't make sense. It's suggested nothing that displeases her. 

But the overwhelming urge is there anyway: pounce. Now. Do it fast and tear it down before it's too late, Bella. Return your power structure back down to yourself and no one else. What does she need with an advisor anyway? She sniffs the air as though hubris or divine punishment were things with scents that could be plucked out of her surroundings and carried home in a jar. That would make a lovely perfume, wouldn't it? Essence of Athena's Wrath. 

Bella tears her gaze away and watches the battlefield below. Redana has already fled. Her Kaeri have already melted into the shadows and stalked after her, she can just see their path by the trail of machine corpses that got too swept up in their Dance to know when to get their heads down. There's nothing of interest left down there except the divine proxy-skirmish between Alexa and the crazy piece of shit. So sorry to cost you such a nice toy, Princess. She sneers. 

There is a trap here, she can feel it. Closing around her neck and choking off her air, she can feel it. Why can't she see it? Which god has she offended? Which cruel Fate is planning to snatch all the good things away from her that she's had so little time to... ah.

Her eyes narrow, briefly. The flick over Omn with new appreciation and appraisal. Ah, but it's you, isn't it? You're the bridge too far. You're where humble servitude crosses over into arrogance. You're [i]far[/i] too nice a toy for a lowly servitor to keep, aren't you? Ah! But isn't this convenient? Redana's about to be down her own little doll. Wouldn't this one make the perfect gift? Not an... no, not an apology. A peace offering. Yes. She'll love it!

Bella lifts off her seat like a shadow melting into the spaces a probing light leaves for it. Her smile comes easily, now. She even allows herself another sip of wine. She's such a good girl. She's so good to her princess. But there is ground that must be traveled and work that must be done. Oh! But it feels [i]good[/i] to serve!