Staggered, but not entirely surprised at the vulgarity she woman spat, Elisa eyed her body, the grotesque, yet undisputedly effective appearance, an unconscionable alienage to her. At first glance, face resolutely unimpressed, she observed the reunion. She herself had no idea what she had reasonably expected from the exchange, but the result was wearily anticlimactic.<br/><br/>Her heartbeat was steady like a drummer, keeping rhythm, keeping beat. It was no fancier than the ticking of a clock or the inevitable falling of an acorn from its perch upon a mighty oak. The puppeteer did however, somehow through a superficial comment manage to put a dent into its pattern; the merest hint of a coy smile playing about her lip and the faint imprint of a blooming red upon her cheeks. She had issues deciding whether she should be flattered or offended, but the lady’s unconventional personage made it all the more difficult.<br/><br/>Curiosity, interest, and obsession - mile markers on Elisa’s road to damnation. She met the oncoming stare with equally mesmerising pools, deep ocean blue, sedated by their surroundings, flecks of silvery light performing ballets throughout. A sharp contrast shone through the looking-glass and a tingle trickled through her, like electrical sparks on the way to the ground, gathering in her toes.<br/><br/>She countered the thankful appreciation in an elaborate fashion, hand flourishing outwards in a dignified courtesy and her head lowering in a supplementary manner - more than a nod, though less than a bow.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(184, 49, 47)">“Your companion, he seemed distressed. I would have hated to leave him wandering aimlessly. Had to take some precautions though, I hope you understand.”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(184, 49, 47)">“Now, the thing is,”</span>she continued,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(184, 49, 47)">“I need you to answer some questions to the best of your ability. If you cooperate I will help you relieve the bonds that hold you. That way we help each other. Surely, those should be agreeable terms.”</span>Manicured hands reached out, slender fingers swirling the bars in a gentle hold, face skewered still with a fading blush.