-Gracia calms-
-Soothed-
-Smiling up at Cliff-
-Then Athena is grabbed-
ATHENA!!
-The room feels tenser all of a sudden, people feeling their hairs on their backs stand on end-
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?You can say that, but you'll understand that I'm not inclined to take the word of a stranger on good faith. Besides...
-looks at Gracia, noticing the tense atmosphere-
It seems I've struck a nerve now.
-Mura- Oh? Sorry. I figured you were leading to that point.
UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOII think you're missing my point, which is that I don't trust any of you to not try killing me as soon as I let her go.
So we've agreed that none of us want this girl to die, hm? Because, well, none of you are acting in a way that makes me think you care very much for her well-being.
-and then Gracia-
...Oh-hooh. Do you see? This is exactly what I mean.
Here's a counter-offer. If you move a single inch to harm me, she dies. I had figured this was implicit, but I suppose not.
-casually chews on a slice of pizza-
UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOIJust as I can't trust anyone here to honor their word, I cannot trust you to not stab me in the back. Understand that this is not a personal insult, just pragmatism.
-Athena- You won't die if everyone else here is smart. And you trust them to be smart - right?
-Varace- I'm not sure how calling names will get us anywhere! I'm just trying to enjoy this pizza in peace. It's very good, do you want a slice?
UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOII getcha. But sometimes pragmatism involves a bit of good faith here and there, right? Especially when everyone else here's out for your blood - you're hella outnumbered. If I really wanted you dead I'd have cut off your strangling arm ten seconds ago.
(Johnny) Yeah, yeah, I'm trying to negotiate here...
edited 15th Jun '18 7:19:19 PM by foxmccloud4387
-Gracia is startling to crackle, purple sparks dancing between her fingers-
What if there’s no better word than just not saying anything?

Well, she doesn't have to die. That's what we're all trying to avoid, isn't it?
-Johnny- Every person in this room except for you and that man there have asked for some of this pizza. The issue is that it is my pizza, and not theirs.
-her grip isn't crushingly tight, but it is pretty uncomfortably so all the same-
UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOI