He enjoyed the way Merci was talking. She was a pretty girl, and the novelty of hearing venom pour from her lips was decadent. He nodded while she played a long, and then had fond, concentrated eyes on her when she played her own act. "You're ear deep in gossip aren't you?" Maya was an acquaintance of his. Her blood hadn't been as hard bought as Lyra's. She'd not let him heal her, either. Merci didn't know that, but it made her story more amusing. "You should train more and prattle less." he said and touched her hand. One of her knuckles bloomed with the Veil, to make her finger sting, before the patter dissipated. It was the equivalent of a firm pinch.<br/><br/>He tilted his head and shrugged about her garden comment. It would displease Lyra to be misunderstood like that, and Merci was having her fun. The girl did bring up a valid point, eventually. "Mother always likes my guests." And while the matriarch was prone to give the powerhouse of a middle child everything he wanted, she was adamant about keeping dinner for family. This kind of thing, even at the level Engel and Merci were doing it, was a kind of politic. Mother was a master schemer, but liked to see her children's real faces while they ate. Engel hoped for an exception. Merci knew it was a risky venture.<br/><br/>He had taken note of their guest before Merci said. He was a usually gambling with his own safety, but wouldn't with his little sister's. The tension in Lyra's body was reminiscent of the spring he'd seen with a rapier. He was confident he'd be able to catch her when she exploded. Engel preferred an elegant thing, and wanted to impress his younger sibling. Still, if Merci had her senses peeled, she'd notice some of Engel's muscles drawn taut, too.<br/><br/>"She's had quite the adventure today." he explained and looked at Merci. "In my chambers..." he'd made the mistake of being distracted, and it allowed the Bremmington to scare Merci. His right hand reached for the distressed Geslack youngling while his left hand stuck to the table. He groaned in frustration when he couldn't touch Merci's cheek to soothe her. Lyra was already barreling for the door. His face had none of the smug subtlety the prisoner had come to know when it distorted in anger, and he pulled hard enough to cleave his hand on the dull weapon.<br/><br/>He stomped after Lyra. She was quicker than him since she'd gained speed, but he was still in her blood. It wasn't hard to convince her muscles not to give all the strength she needed to her legs. He caught up, and brought his bleeding hand to the back of her head, slamming her into the door she'd almost opened. It would be a merciless blow, enough to concuss a grown man. Engel had little patience for assaults on Merci. He assumed Lyra would be out cold, and if she wasn't, he'd make sure she was with a boot to her cheek.<br/><br/>"Sorry." he said over his shoulder. It was directed at his little sister but he didn't mind if the others took it for theirs, as well.<br/><br/>"Don't bring guests like that next time." Loell advised. He, like most of the other family members, hadn't even stood for the ordeal. Engel huffed at the redundancy and picked Lyra up if she had not somehow evaded everything he'd thrown at her.<br/><br/>"I'll take my food in my room. Please explain to mother." he said with a bow, and then left with his bride.<br/><br/>He threw Lyra on the bed and started ripping the dress he'd gifted to her. It was about the time she should be regaining consciousness. He was not the usual, playful serpent slithering around her when she looked at him. He was toxic and angry. "Haven't I been a perfect gentlemen? Your innocence for wanting to take my life." like he'd done her a favor by stealing her purity. "And you go and attack my sister!" he called out, hair wild over one eye and lips glossy with wrath's froth.<br/><br/>He pulled her legs apart. She'd not been given any undergarments, and started taking himself out. His vigor was enough to have him rather ready. His hand locked around her neck. He would hurt her again, right where he'd healed her, and this time his pace would be vengeful.