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ISOPIA
Consider your origin. You were not formed to live like brutes but to follow virtue and knowledge.
Isopia cared little that Ashamin now had another companion, armor, or that his skill had increased. In fact, she had no idea that it had - though if she had trained as often as Ashamin had been, perhaps she would have been able to notice how much more skillful and elegant his movements had become, how he and his companions worked in tandem.
But she didn't, because all she cared about was what he could do for her.
What she would make him do for her.
However, that his first reaction to seeing her was a mere response to her obnoxious statement and a frown, did not bode well. Isopia, who had never insulted anyone on purpose before, had thought that all that was needed was some untrue statement. Isn't that what others were often so riled up about? Isn't that what she had seen and recorded in the vast memory banks of her mind?
So why wasn't it working?
Having no replies at the ready, Isopia had nothing to say in response to Ashamin's conjecture - nay accusation? - that perhaps what she had screamed was not true. Isopia knew how to deceive - how to bend the truth, or only offer half-truths to avoid certain implications - but lying was something which often eluded her, as was evidenced by Ashamin's immediate disbelief.
Not for the first time in her life, Isopia felt the gentle electrical cupping of unseen hands around her heart. Of course to her, it felt as though all of the oxygen in her limbs had suddenly been withheld. As her heart was forced to slow, despite her body's frenetic attempt to charge forward, all pulmonary power was lost to her limbs. It felt like she was running through quicksand, or that her limbs were suddenly completely overburdened just by her body weight. She didn't have the panicked reaction to this magic that she did last time, for at least she knew what the cause of it was, but she still didn't know how to overcome it. Isopia's ears pinned against her head as she allowed inertia to push her through the bulk of Ashamin's attack. Although it only lasted for a few strides, the seconds that she didn't have control over her own heartbeat, felt like eons.
Isopia snorted loudly as Ashamin deftly veered away from her attack - which was actually quite a large display of anger for the emotionless demi-goddess. Her large hooves made satisfying crunching sounds as they moved to bring the giantess to face the monochromatic keeper of her salvation.
Hubris knew the reckless thoughts inside of Isopia's mind, but he also knew that due to his relatively small size compared to her, and his youthful lack of magic, that he was no match for her will, or her physical dominance. By Ashamin's own declaration, the bronze dragon did not think that the unicorn would take advantage of Isopia's state and fatally wound her (not her at least...) even if she were to lay on her back and scream for it. Still, he couldn't just leave her alone against the three of them, even if she had brought this on herself.
So the bronze dragon darted from his position in the trees and hovered near Lochlan, more in an attempt to guard him than actually present any offensive tactics. If the deer moved, the dragon would follow. Hubris trilled a low warning sound, and though he could not communicate across the species-barrier, he hoped his intention of, I don't want to hurt you, please don't hurt her- was at least sort of clear.
We're both intelligent, even our disagreements have the potential for greatness. Do you really want to throw that all away?
Every rational inclination Isopia hadn't buried beneath layers of grief, desperation, and shame screamed out for her accept what he was saying. In fact, Ashamin was likely one of the most intelligent conversationalists she had met during her entire life (though given the calibre of Helovians, that wasn't necessarily saying much), but he had been a worthy verbal adversary when last they met. In truth, she didn't want to alienate him, but events had already been put into motion. She needed his help now, but knew she couldn't ask him for it.
Perhaps later she would explain. For now, she needed him angry.
"Now who is the coward?" She demanded, conjuring the magic from within herself to splash water - hopefully chilled by the FrostFall air - into his eyes, nose, and ears. Isopia wasn't sure that her taunt even made sense in this context, but it was an insult just the same. Perhaps if not her words, but her ludicrous statements would be enough ...
She turned her large body to squarely face him. A large target ... easy enough to hit...
Do it.
Please-
WC: 798
Attack: 2/4
Summary: MAGIKARP USED SPLASH.
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[JUDGED] Heading for something that she won't forget | Ashamin challenge
