[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/q8hhsAV.png?1[/img][/center][hr][hr]Azar was normally... a light sleeper. She'd learned to be over the past few years. So, when her door reeled open and the guards marched inside, she was already leaping to her feet. The good things didn't last. They never did. She stood there, robe gathered about her and fists clenched as she listened to the Imit's - or rather, his servant's - accusation. [color=f7941d][i]You stupid, lying maggot,[/i][/color] she thought, but her eyes turned not to Mamuno, but rather to the servant girl. Her temperature rose. Flames quietly licked and writhed along her skin.

For a moment, Azar was about to angrily protest her innocence in the traditional way. She had not done the deed, of course, even though she'd briefly considered it. Yet - [color=f7941d][i]Damn it![/i][/color] - she knew a setup for what it was. She knew it because... in other capacities, she had done nearly the same thing. She glared unflinchingly at the servant through a gap between two of the guards' heads and her rage built. She let out a quick, angry snort from her nostrils and her gaze flicked Mamuno's way. [color=f7941d][b]"Your worship,"[/b][/color] she admitted, struggling to keep her tone composed and just about succeeding, [color=f7941d][b]"If you have your men check this room right now, you will almost [i]certainly [/i]find jewellery stolen from this household."[/b][/color] Her chest heaved with anger and anxiety. Her fists clenched so tightly that they hurt. [color=f7941d][i]Lying bitch![/i][/color] screamed a voice within her. [color=f7941d][i]Burn her to ash! Make her [b]suffer[/b]![/i][/color] Some of that anger even leaked over onto the Imit himself, but she had enough of a primary target that she could deflect it - hide it. [b][color=f7941d]"I cannot say where: maybe even under the pillow, if this [i]thief [/i]or her accomplices were stupid. Unless they are merely trying to frame me out of personal vendetta, there will be more that they do [i]not [/i]find."[/color][/b]

Azar took a couple of steps forward, but no more. If she could get around the guards... if she [i]could[/i], her mind's eye visualized what she would do, how she would burn this lying wretch alive, how the girl would scream and beg for mercy and regret her ploy in her final moments. The ayiralite's hands trembled with fury. She unclenched and clenched them again. [color=f7941d][b]"I say this because I have done it. I am ashamed to admit that I have not always followed the Gods well, may they offer me mercy, but I would not abuse the generosity of a gracious and - more importantly - [i]powerful [/i]host."[/b][/color] Azar shook her head. [color=f7941d][b]"It is the oldest trick in the book, your worship, and a man of your wisdom should well know it."[/b][/color] It killed her, grovelling like this, but something within her burned with a desire to be exonerated, to see the one who deserved it and not [i]herself [/i]be punished. Then, everything else could rot, for all she cared. She spread her hands. [color=f7941d][b]"You [i]sssteeeaal [/i]something,"[/b][/color] she hissed, eyes locked on the cowering servant girl. [color=f7941d][b]"When you find a guest who looks... conveniently untrustworthy."[/b][/color] Her voice slithered and snapped like a snake's. She paused and her tone changed for a moment as she glanced toward the Imit. [color=f7941d][b]"And let's be honest: I look like a thieving wretch; I well know it. Then,"[/b][/color] Azar concluded, raising a pointer in the air, a lick of flame flaring from its tip, [color=f7941d][b]"you [i]blame [/i]that innocent person for what you or your accomplices did. Profit!"[/b][/color] she snarled.

She began to draw, then, from the plane, fire and fury filling her veins. [color=f7941d][b]"I am not your enemy,"[/b][/color] she began evenly, [color=f7941d][b]"[i]Truly[/i], and I make no claims to whatever you may find in this room, but should anyone seek to harm my person,[/b][/color] the ayiralite warned, her eyes flashing at the guards like those of a very dangerous, very cornered animal, [color=f7941d][b]"I will return his violence [u][i]thousandfold![/i][/u]"[/b][/color][hr][hr]