Move. Move. Move. Do not stop and do not turn around. 

The only thing that can salvage this situation is forward momentum. Now that it has come to this if I do not at the very least confirm the use of the incense for myself I will, I will, I will!

...Shortest path to the steam rooms is through the south exit. Sidestep crowds. Do not make eye contact, do not allow even the possibility of conversation. Eyes forward. Senses forward. I do not hear the calls of my 'name'. I do not hear the apologies. I do not hear what anyone has to say. I do not want to. I cannot afford to. 

The only path is forward. So move. Move. M--

"Oh you [i]must[/i] be joking."

Absurd. Infuriating. Again?!

No.

No I refuse. I won't do this. I won't be party to these ridiculous games. I attempt to walk away and I am blocked by the world. I attempt to put a... to have a moment for my heart's sake and I am blocked by the world. I heed the call of my own duties, and oh look at this! What is next? What is next, hm?! I am at the absolute limits of my tolerance.

"Shut up. Just shut up and begone from my sight, you self absorbed middle-act villain."

Move. Move. Move. Forward and [i]only[/i] forward. Be silent, do not disturb the party any further, and do not stop.

Two steps to build momentum, leap. Land on target's shoulder. Summon heartblade and separate, Scoundrel's Technique. Incapacitate.

...To begin with, it is a little understood fact of heartblade that they must be pulled from the heart. But that is the only restriction. If you can imagine a path from your heart through your leg (and this is absurdly easy) then you can ultimately draw it from your foot at easily as you could your chest. 

I have merely applied this principle as I slip over the edge of the Architect Knight and disappear through the door. And to avoid causing a scene I have also in the same motion shattered the blade into a thousand needles. This is easy to do as well, if you understand the trick. All that it requires is a broken heart. A broken heart, mind you. Not a broken spirit. That is important.

Because the chase will continue. And it will continue without this interfering jackass getting a say in my path whatsoever. Because I have pinned her. Her boots, her lacy gloves, all of the ribbons in the locks of her voluminous hair, even several fingers and a knee. To. The. [i]Fucking.[/i] Wall.

Now. I will ask you agai--

[i]I'll ask you again?????[/i]

...Why? Why did I say that? Why did I tell her that? WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Ohhhhhh, [i]so[/i] romantic! Is this the maid-knight's duty as well? To cram a foot so far up your mouth you can no longer walk?

Ugh. Forward. Just... forward. Take me to the mystery. 

I am sick of this.

[Eclair Defies Disaster with Radiance: [b]10[/b]]