Roaki blinked at her, and for a brief, triumphant moment she seemed almost [i]confused[/i] by Quinn’s sudden turn towards courage. It was clear she’d expected a glass child, already cracked, to shatter at the first few harsh words. As much as she proclaimed to dislike the ceremony, Roaki was still Helburkan, and intimidation was still their strategy. 

Then the moment passed. There was a flame behind Roaki’s eyes that stilled, momentarily, and as Quinn stared at her, there was…well, it wasn’t [i]respect[/i], in the same way she hadn’t been amused before. It was interest, again. 

“[color=ec008c]S’not up to you,[/color]” she said, as dryly as she might describe the weather. “[color=ec008c]You all think it is, but it’s not. Not anymore.[/color]”

Her gaze drifted to where Quinn’s had lingered a moment before. To Dahlia. Her tongue clicked, lip curling over a bloody canine. The older pilot was still watching Quinn, and with every moment that passed, it seemed to aggravate Roaki more. 

Her voice turned from dry to cold. “[color=ec008c]Got family?[/color]” she asked. “[color=ec008c]Friends? That your little buddy, over there?[/color]”