The grip of Jess's mouth is impressive indeed- against such strength, an ordinary human would be nutriment in short order. Fortunately for Alyssa, she is neither human nor ordinary, and has spent the latter decade of her life training for just such a predicament. Bracing against the bath's rim, she presses her captured leg<span style="font-style: italic">forward,</span>forcing Jess's mouth to open in order to accept the wider portion of her upper calf... then plants the heel of her free foot between Jess's eyes and pushes, withdrawing her ingested limb completely before Jess can tighten her grip.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">*WHACK*</span></span> Jess falls back into the pool emptyhanded, her face impressed with a red footprint-shaped welt.</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Alyssa uses Jess's momentary incapacity to snatch up a few choice items before retreating to the far end of the room. She eyes the bath, waiting for Jess to re-emerge...<br/><span style="font-size: 80%; line-height: 116%;">[Items held: headband of intellect, monk's belt]</span><br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>She stays submerged for a few seconds, then emerges slowly with her ears folded down flat. She regards Alyssa with a mix of disappointment and embarrassment.<br/>"..." she whimpers.</div></blockquote><br/><br/>"Miss Jess..." Alyssa hesitates, unsure of how to continue. As long as Jess makes no threatening motions, she remains silent, pressed the wall and clutching her belongings to her chest. Finally, after an uncomfortable half-minute that might as well be eternity, she speaks.<br/><br/>"You were going to<span style="font-style: italic">eat</span>me," she states simply, vocalizing the only thought for which she can currently find words. "If Miss Auralia were to find out..." Alyssa's tone conveys no malice, no threat; if anything, there is a twinge of dread in her voice, as though she were the one who might face the angel's judgment.