Pawns in the game

[Oriena]

Oriena watched Jaxen's reaction, smirking as she witnessed the hook and snare of challenge. Stupid idea. Stupid risk. Unrivalled thrill. They were famliar lures. But even as she revelled in the strings of the game, the pertinent details made a burrow in her mind. So Scion Marveet had finally cut Jaxen off? He hadn't been frugal with his cash before; she hadn't expected funding, of all things, to be an issue. Not that it was surprising; Jaxen could hardly be tied to daddy's purse strings forever. But it was the word Atharim that really carved a place of interest, hooking and snaring intentions of her own. The glitter of mischief in her eyes darkened to something more sinister.

Carmen still watched from the bar, lips pursing when the two men stood toe to toe, engrossed in all the boring details. From her seat in the booth, Ori shot her a wicked grin, and the woman's face tumbled into a deeper frown, until the blonde bartender put his hand on her wrist and encouraged her away. She worried too much, just like Luka.

Her attention flicked back when she was addressed, eliciting an edge of sultry laughter. "Let's not pretend I'm the type of girl who dates. But you know my feelings on snakes."
Even without her prejudices, there was little that could entice Ori more than the offer of a co-conspirator. It lit a match against her veins, ignited something ancient and primordial in her blood. In that dark fire burned a promise. Her recklessness knew no boundaries in the hedonistic glow. "Of course I'm going with you."