Round 13 Transcript

Jeane’s orb pulses faster as she completes her threat, dark energy crackling around the basement. But then—surprisingly—the original stranger actually responds instead of just repeating themselves. The voice is eerily identical to their duplicate, but there's something different in the tone. Less... mechanical? I see we've gotten off to a poor start. That wasn't an ideal interruption for either of us. The figure takes a small step forward, hands raised slightly. My name is Clarice. Or rather, it was before my current... situation. As you can likely deduce from our shared predicament here, duplication magic isn't something I typically employ for casual social calls.
Jeane’s eyes narrow suspiciously as she circles them both again, orb still crackling with barely contained power. But even she can’t deny the raw magical output required to maintain such a stable duplication — these aren't just projections or illusions. I think you owe us more than a name and an excuse. She spits, but her wings lower slightly from their aggressive spread. What kind of 'collaboration' did you have in mind? Because if it involves more magic shows or threats to my sister here— Her orb flares menacingly— then we're done discussing before we start. Silra shifts her weight subtly, still positioned between the strangers and Jeane but ready to move. She catches Abby’s eye for a fraction of a second — a silent signal to stay put and let them handle this. The hidden passage behind the bookcase is still their best escape route if things go sideways, but using it now would abandon Halie and leave Jeane alone against these powerful duplicates. I think we're all interested in avoiding more... complications here tonight. She says carefully, But my sister isn't known for her patience with unknown variables. Especially ones that interrupt important business and require this much magical energy to maintain. Her hand hovers near the hilt of her blade, not drawing but ready. So maybe you start by explaining exactly what kind of 'protection' you're offering? Because right now, we've got a bound woman at our center, active magic in play, and two strangers who can't seem to decide if they want to collaborate or threaten us. The tension in the room is palpable.*

Abby presses herself harder against the wall, her heart hammering. She wants nothing more than to bolt for that escape route right now — anything to get away from this volatile situation. The memory of Hera's fingers forcing out the stranger's semen still makes her stomach churn with shame and fear.

I step forward slowly, letting my eyes track both duplicates with cold calculation. Duplication magic of this caliber takes sustained power—power you don't just pull out for casual threats or friendly chat. My tone stays even, assessing. Protection implies a threat we're supposed to be worried about? Because right now I'm more concerned about what happens when those duplicates run out of juice and you have to choose which one of you gets to keep existing.

Jeane's crimson eyes bore into Clarice—or was it Julia?—as she circles them slowly. The dark orb in her palm pulses with barely contained power, casting flickering shadows across the basement walls. Interesting that you choose to name yourselves like common street whores. Her voice drips with disdain as she traces one curved black horn idly. But perhaps it's fitting for beings who interrupt sacred rituals with... she lets her gaze rake over their forms pointedly ...obvious magical deficiencies. One of Jeane's dark wings twitches, the leathery membrane catching stray light from above. She feels the magic radiating off them in waves—raw, untamed power that both excites and infuriates her. You want collaboration? A harsh laugh escapes her lips as she gestures to the bound figure at the center of the room with her free hand. We don't need your protection. What we need is for you to explain why I shouldn't turn you both into fucktoys for my next ritual instead. Her attention shifts to Silra briefly, noting the rogue's hand hovering near her blade. She knows that look—Silra is calculating angles, weighing threats and opportunities. As my sister so eloquently put it, duplication magic of this caliber requires sustained power. Power you're currently expending just to maintain these... duplicates. Jeane's smile turns predatory as she steps closer to the original form. So tell me, Clarice or Julia or whoever the fuck you are—how long can you keep this act up? Because I'm willing to bet it's a lot less time than it takes for my binding magic to wear off completely.