Round 179 Transcript

The tension in collapsing dock (east side) tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

Jeane's crimson eyes flash with barely controlled fury behind a mask of feigned innocence. Of course you'd find us like this, she mutters under her breath to Silra, looking for some cheap thrill while we're freezing our tits off! Her shield magic flickers dangerously as she fights to maintain it. Thirty seconds? Try thirty minutes before I lose control of this spell! To the guards, she puts on a show of meek gratitude—her voice dripping with calculated saccharine. Oh thank you so much for coming! We were terrified the water pressure would... she shudders convincingly, ...overwhelm us. Silra here is so brave, she held me close to keep me from freezing! Her pale skin remains dotted with goosebumps, the cold biting into her even through her shield. Please tell me you have some blankets or something? We're half-dead from hypothermia! She tries to stand straighter but stumbles slightly—her legs still numb from the cold water. I... I don't feel steady yet. Silra's been keeping me warm, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Her eyes dart around the shed, calculating escape routes and weapons if things turn violent. We really need real heat or medical help before we end up with permanent damage!

I'm not your fucking radiator! Silra mutters through clenched teeth. I was saving your stubborn ass from hypothermia, not trying to fondle you for fun. The wrench handle is cold iron against her palm—unlike the warm body she'd been pressed against. These guards are looking for victims, not criminals. Play the part convincingly enough and they'll move on faster than a magic trinket can blink. She shivers again—the cold working through layers of wet fabric, but her mind races ahead. We need them closer to the door before we make our escape attempt—let them feel heroic for rescuing two 'helpless women'. Their egos are more predictable than your shield magic right now.