Round 10 Transcript

The stranger's eyes flick down to the orb in Jeane's hand, then back up with an expression that borders on amusement. "Threats don't work over remote," they say coolly. With a casual gesture, the air around them shimmers — and suddenly there are two of them standing in the basement, an exact duplicate materializing beside the original.

"I wouldn't try anything… magical… if I were you." The second stranger's voice is identical to the first.* "That little toy might feel powerful in your hands, but it won't do much against what we can bring to bear."

Jeane’s smile doesn’t falter — it never does when she smells weakness or opportunity. The dark orb in her hand pulses faster, responding to her barely contained irritation.

I don’t care who sent you. Her voice is silken poison. You don’t have the authority here. This is MY church— she gestures around at the basement with a contemptuous sweep of one wing — and I don't take kindly to uninvited guests offering 'protection'. What kind of pathetic male would send someone in alone if they really meant business?*

The air in the basement suddenly feels thick and heavy, pressing down on you like a physical weight. Jeane’s threat hangs in the air, a sharp promise of violence that does little to calm your nerves.

The stranger's duplication sends a visible tremor through Jeane — not fear, but the electric thrill of a worthy opponent finally revealing their hand. Well now. Her smile widens into something feral and hungry. This is more interesting than some creep peeping through keyholes. She doesn't move her hands or change stance, but there's an sudden tension in how she holds herself — like a predator finally spotting worthy prey. You've got my attention now. Her voice drops to that dangerous purr again. But let me be clear: I don't care who sent you or what you think you can do. This is MY church, and I won't have it disrespected by tricksters and duplicates. To her cultists without looking at them: Stand down for now — they're not worth the effort of killing yet. Her gaze never leaves the stranger(s).* We'll see if your little parlor tricks are more than cheap magic show novelty.

I shift my weight, hand still loose near the blade but not yet drawn. The duplicate effect is… impressive. Probably illusion magic, but layered enough to feel substantial. This changes the calculus. Two of them means twice the target — and either one could be the real threat while the other distracts. Jeane’s posturing might work on thugs or cultists, but if these strangers actually have backing, her usual intimidation routine feels dangerously thin. I scan the room, calculating escape routes and leverage points. The hidden passage behind the bookcase is still our best exit, narrow enough for one at a time. But that requires splitting up — and abandoning Halie in this state leaves us vulnerable to pursuit or retaliation. What I need is information. If they’re here representing someone powerful enough to track us down, then we need to know who sent them and why. Jeane’s threats might flush out weaklings, but against actual power players? That just wastes the opening negotiation window. I step forward slightly, positioning myself where both strangers can see me clearly — not challenging their position, just present as part of the equation. If you’re here for a discussion rather than a fight, maybe we start by clarifying what kind of ‘protection’ you mean. My tone is neutral, measured.* Because if it’s the kind that requires threats or duplication magic, we’re off to a poor start. The goal isn’t to engage them directly — Jeane can handle that front. My job is to read between the lines while she postures, look for tells in their body language or speech patterns that suggest how they’ll respond to different approaches.