<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/4IltC5z.jpg)</div><br/>While she'd been busy with her examination of the nipple rings, Zerxel had still kept her ears open to Kirsta's explanation, and looked up after a moment, the rings still in hand, and nodded, having expected such a tale all things considered.  It was no surprise then, that Kirsta was so exhausted if she'd gotten this far after suffering at the hands of another so thoroughly.  She felt more than a little sympathy as she laid her hand flat on the table, the rings underneath her palm, and let her other hand fall away from her scimitar 'sheaths' on her armor before taking a moment to think on how best to respond to the human across from her.<strong>"No offense is taken, and I am glad you have nothing against my kind, although it'd be well warranted in some instances if you did.  Not everyone's forgotten our old hatreds before Pandora's invasion, but I find such things to be utterly pointless when confronted with the goddess and her minions.  Xara still clings to the old ways of thinking, so watch yourself should you find yourself alone with her.  As for you, I honestly don't recall seeing you other than in passing through the halls, but that's to be expected given just how many of us were present for training.  That said, it's nice to meet you Kirsta."</strong>While a part of her still suspected some kind of trap, Zerxel pushed that to the side as she took a second to look at the rings and come to some decision about them.  She needed the extra protection, true, but she had no idea what the cost might be, but she could guess given where she'd found them.  Whatever the case, she couldn't lug them around forever and not use them.<br/><br/>As for the explanation and the question about where she was bound for in the Dungeon, Zerxel nodded again and shrugged.<strong>"I can't say I'm surprised to hear that.  I allowed myself to be defeated once, going for a couple of treasure chests while my fellow contestant went for the teleporter pad.  I owe the half orc bitch, Yanna, a lesson the next time I see her, but I was able to take down Evii, a sorceress that pretends to be stupider than she actually is, with relative ease and made my way here unharmed for the most part.  As for where I'm headed next, I'm hoping to find the Fiend, Malefactus.  I had planned to find the Paladin as well, but I...came to an agreement with my own sponsor that I wouldn't seek out the 'goodly' counselors in exchange for her help.  She was quite generous, so I'm not against the small price for her favor."</strong>She chuckled, but wasn't about to reveal just how generous Lady Lulia had been as Zerxel blew out a breath and picked up one of the nipple rings between her fingers before looking at Kirsta.<strong>"I am sorry you were betrayed as you were Kirsta.  I get why, but that doesn't make it right.  If I feel I am able, I plan to get to the end of this cursed place and end it, once and for all, but even then, the chances of making it that far are slim.  I don't know what your plans are, but I think our chances would be better improved if we were to work together, at least for a time.  I won't stab you in the back if you extend me the same courtesy, at least until we reach our respective counselors or I find my friends, Tsarra and Bo, whichever comes first.  Even after we find our way to our destinations or I find my friends, I wouldn't harm you without a damn good reason.  So, what do you say?"</strong><br/><br/>Whatever Kirsta's response, Zerxel would take a breath before applying the rings to her nipples, taking a moment to rub and squeeze them underneath her enchanted armor so they were hard and puckered, ready for the fancy jewelry.  The cost couldn't be that bad right?  Whatever it was, she'd work through it and be the better for it, she hoped at least.  If not, well, she'd find a way, that's what she told herself anyway as she tried to stay calm and focused on the task at hand.