Benedict's approach had caught Verena briefly off-guard. The half-demoness had not even noticed the alchemist amongst the group, so strange and unique the others were. Unnoticeable didn't mean harmless however, something Verena knew quite well herself. She drew her wings closer to herself while regarding him carefully, assuming an almost regal stance and expression. The proud attitude she posed a stark contract to her almost nude appearance. It helped her stand out from the real slaves, in a good way, and would likely make these heroes draw their own conclusions about her, unaware of how she manipulated their first impression of her.<br/><br/>The alchemist almost casual behaviour and smile from a genuine smirk to her lips however. A smirk that briefly broadened at Benedict's brief panic as one of the maggots from the slain hezrou found it's way beneath his boot.<b>"Your name, sweetheart? Can you use a sword? If so, we have need of you."</b>He drew a blade from his side, and Verena carefully took it in her hand, her fingers slowly wrapping around the handle. It had a different balance than she was used to, but it would do as a weapon as long as she couldn't pull out her own blades. She swallowed, and spoke carefully, making her voice sound weak and cracked, befitting of one enslaved by demons. "Thank you, stranger. You are a sight for sore eyes. My name...it is Verena." Her words had a slight elven lilt to it, as if she was singing more than speaking. "I can fight, yes, but this battle has already been won."<br/><br/>Verena carefully spread her wings a little as the surviving hezrou teleported away to flee the Illithid's magic and the grugach's fury. She watched as the slaves were freed by Orlando, but remained where she was as they were claimed or let free to flee gods knows where in the abyss. "You are not here to save those claimed by the abyssal hordes, have you?" She said in response to Orlando as the tall man approached her. When the group continued, she followed without question. "I don't mind being in your companion's care, and this group of yours seem to be my only chance at ever escaping this unholy place. Like I told Benedict, my name is Verena." The disguised half-demon eagerly followed the party. They were not here for the slaves, so beyond doubt their real purpose would be an interesting one.<br/><br/>When they stopped to hide from the Molydeus, she quietly whispered to the group. "The hezrou that escaped seems to have warned his fellows, perhaps we should distract these beasts? We can only remain hidden for so long before the scion in the skies finds us." In truth, Verena had little to fear from the ruler of the abyssal skies, as far as she remember, he was still in alliance with her own dark mistress.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>