Another rumble erupted at Troy. Before opening her mouth, though, she wanted to see where Jasmine's head was at. She looked up to see the torn expression of a sweet giraffe stuck listening to bickering, and ideas popped into her head like popcorn over fire. Her trunk reached out for Jasmine, gently touching her neck and gem with soft eyes and a concerned expression. "My treasure," she whispered, trying to make it sound affectionate. She turned to Troy again and squinted at him and snorted again, frustration boiling over. "You're right, she is no trinket, but you should be ashamed of yourself for trying force her to choose. She held herself up with confidence and looked down on him like she was just baffled he was such an asshole. "And as far as safe? Hah! I met and trained with Hasira myself. He is no Lord, just an old fool who greeds and prides over himself and his ugly spawn. He would never have done anything to keep Jasmine safe, should anything have tried to attack her. He'd rather use someone like her as bait for his cause." The elephant shook her head and closed her eyes, disappointment of the situation being her expression, now. "For someone who claims to care so much about her, you sure do a shitty job of showing it." She opened her eyes, a wicked look gleaming in her eyes as she felt her magic stir within her, the ruby likely glowing with her fury and power. "I truly adore and love her. I will never, ever leave her side the way you did. I would never abandon her the way you did." As she spoke, the air for Troy grew thinner and thinner, until there was nothing left for his lungs to suck in. She wanted to watch him collapse and to squirm. She wanted him to beg for forgiveness then leave. She leaned in toward him, brows furrowing as her rage was release by the form of magicka; with Scale. He would not get away with this unscathed. He would pay for interrupting what she was doing with Jasmine and for trying to ruin everything. --------- "Speech" Thoughts OOC: And it begins Round: 1 of 3 Attack: Scale; thinning his air Defense: Standing her ground Injuries: None @Troy | @Jasmine

He felt his world caving in around him. The way Jasmine stuck beside the monster, the way the monster spoke down at him, towered over him, looming, deadly- and then, he found, he couldn't breath and that was when the instinct kicked in. Prey. He was prey. He was herbivore and this beast with its giant teeth and savage roar and pressing gaze, this beast was predator. Carnivore. It must have been. It had already, in his mind, eaten his beloved Jasmine and in a weak moment of panic, he believed everything Hasira had ever told him, about every danger of this place. That wasn't his Jazzy. It was illusion. His Jasmine was dead and this beast had eaten her and so, in terror, he reared away from them both and clapped his hooves against the ground once in protest, and he whirled on his heels and broke free of that too-tight air pocket and fled. He fled Eridanus, back towards Orion, to where he belonged, to where he could save what precious little he had left of his dead Jasmine.

For she had to have been dead.

She'd never leave him like this.

She'd never leave him for a monster.

The monster who'd eaten her.

He fled to survive.

He fled like prey.

Exit Troy

@Jasmine @Gadanai

The room felt like it was spinning out of control, trying to focus on the young Zebra who claimed he was looking for her and so the female that she called her friend. The words the two shared to each other cut deep and the pain she felt in her heart when the giraffe was told to choose between the two made her feel so weak inside. How could I choose? I just . . . She just stayed silent; which in the end resulted in the exit of the male. The last thing Jasmine would see of Troy would be his stripped rear disappearing into the brush.

The female was not aware of how the air around the zebra was stolen away, but it felt like her own air grow thin from shallow breathing. Wait, where is he going? Taking a step in his direction, but only turned to face Gada. Confusion was painted over the females face, unaware that her actions was the very reason for her childhood friend's exit. "Tro . . . he left again."

The foolish girl's eyes began to water up. Was there something wrong with her?

- - - - -
"Speech"
Thoughts

ooc: D8 oh the drama

@Gadanai @Troy

Gadanai felt a deep sense of pride as the zebra didn't even fight back. He ran, panic in the air as nothing remained of him, except the movement of the leaves he'd pushed passed. She looked toward Jasmine as she stepped forward, having to inhale deeply so she could relax and soften her expression. This couldn't have possibly went better. She got her way and now, Jasmine belonged to her once and for all. "Jas..." she cooed quietly. "I'm.. I'm so sorry he abandoned you, again." The elephant gave the giraffe a gentle nuzzle. Hook, line, and sinker. He ran without a word. So simple, so easy, so perfect for wrapping the last of those invisible chains around Jasmine. A treasure to protect and possess. Nobody was left to save her. Troy fled. Troy had fled and it was her fault, but Jasmine had no clue. It was just... perfect. --------- "Speech" Thoughts OOC: words @Jasmine

Time seem to freeze now, the shock took over Jasmine like a vice; clinging on tight and squeezing the life from her. The only relief was the comfort in the presence of Gadanai, who was reaching out to her. They were right, Troy did abandon her again, he left her standing there in her time of need and just ran away. It hurt Jasmine, and she felt a hole form inside where Troy once was.

Gaze moved to meet with the elephant, only able to say one thing. "I think I need to lie down . . ." Stepping back in the direction of the cave, still shaken up from this whole mess.

- - - - -
"Speech"
Thoughts

ooc: exit

@Gadanai

Gadanai watched Jasmine. In her thoughts, she was nothing but ecstatic. She began to follow the taller one, glancing back once more to make sure Troy was really gone... then escorted her new, unknowing captive back to their home. --------- "Speech" Thoughts OOC: EXIT @Jasmine