Orlando's decision to split the group pleased Verena, but his decision to have her join forces with the mindflayer did not. Of all gathered, Zixx was the only one openly suspicious about her, and no doubt he'd subject her to a more thorough mind reading in private. One her enchantments wouldn't protect her against. "I'm...not keen on being left alone with the Illithid, is he going to bring his entourage along to a stealth mission?" She was starting to have second doubts about this rescue mission's probability of success, and her own reasons for sticking with these so-called heroes. They had failed to inform her of their goal so far, which was quietly infuriating the half-demon woman.<br/><br/>"At least have Ilvaria come along, to stop the beast from forcing itself upon me. I am grateful for my rescue, but have no desire to end up with my skull popped open in a dark alley while the Illithid tells all of you I got lost." Verena said while nodding in agreement to Benedict's words as he spoke, yelping a little as he grabbed her arm and pulled her along. "Alright, good idea..." She muttered while he dragged her along. His sudden change in stance made her wonder if the alchemist was the one desiring to force himself upon her. An not entirely undesired course of events, but she preferred to be in charge of such matters.<br/><br/><br/>An involuntary hiss left Verena's lips as she felt the alchemist's claws on her skin, quickly replaced by a sharp gasp when he forced her roughly against the wall. Her eyes widened in panic and fear at his threat, meekly struggling a little to break his hold. "What-" She began, before he silenced her with his words. The half-demoness bit on her lower lip, suppressing the displeased growl that rose within her. Giving a little shrug, she tried to appear calm and casual when he showed the potion. "Likely a brew of draft sight, a rare treasure and a testimony to your skill as an alchemist, Benedict." Flattery was easily done as she slipped in a new role. "Clearly I was foolish to believe a simple illusion could fool you." She purred softly while the cold glass brushed along her skin. "You must understand, the skill and strength you and the others displayed when you showed up at that slave trade..."<br/><br/>With but a thought, the fiendish woman dismissed the magical illusion that had been hiding her true appearance. Gone was the feathery coat on her wings, the large, black bat-like limbs now revealed in their full glory. Claws topped it, and they were large enough to carry her form with ease. The innocent face was replaced by a visage far more terrifying. Her skin like chiseled marble, but marred by her demonic burning eyes, mouth full of razorsharp teeth kept behind blood red lips. A sapphire piercing was set below her lip, and her left eyebrow had several rubies set above it. A twin set of horns crowned her raven-black crest of hair, the largest pair curving gently to the back in a Z-shape and almost a foot long. The smaller pair of horns curved around the larger, like some twisted thorn crown. Purper ribbons were tied to the larger pair, displaying the wealth of the abyssal-blooded woman. Her rags were gone. A slick black corset, adorned with mithral rings and chains that pushed up her gropeable chest now protecting her upper body. A silk, barely translucent lioncloth shrouded her inner thighs from the gaze of strangers. Thigh-high black boots with metal plates protecting her legs. Fine silk gloves left her fingers exposed, along with her claws, the cloth ending with a ring on her middle finger.<br/><br/>The Abyssal woman purred gently, tilting her head slightly. "After all, my appearance can be a shock to many lesser men. But your mistrust towards me is undeserved, I assure you. I wish nothing ill on you or your companions, on the contrary...speaking my reason for being down here and with you would threaten all I hope to achieve...but...let's just say there are some things the demons would love to know about me." The confidence Verena showed was only exterior. While she was confident she could get away from the alchemist alive, even pinned like this, it would ruin her best asset.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>