Antonis shut himself in a distant room away from the others so he could find some peace. If he could. He looked around himself at first, wondering whether he should pace the floor, though decided against it as he sat down at the table. He put his elbow to the surface and leaned his head against the risen fist, keeping himself in that posture as he began to calm himself.

Denzel had put doubt into the others, successful or not, about his ability to lead them. He was beginning to think the doctor was right. He knew the fox didn't mean it personally, but it can't be helped that this was a serious business. Antonis stared at the dimly lit fireplace, his features downcast and eyes heavy with a mixture of emotions.



Setting: Tavern/Inn
Who's in the room: Antonis, Debalora
Time: Just after Denzel returned

Debalora knew talking to Antonis wouldn't be a good idea. The way he walked by her in the hallway before was evidence enough. But after hearing the news of Aidan, she had to know what was going to happen. And to find that out she had to talk to Antonis. If he didn't know, maybe she could help... Even though it seemed her opinion really didn't matter much, especially lately.

A few knocks on the door were made before Debalora opened it just enough to be seen through the doorway. A simpathetic look was on her face as she saw Antonis alone. She nearly regretted coming in; fully knowing how he was going to react.

"I'm sorry for my intrusion, may I come in?"

Antonis turned his head towards her slightly as he heard the timid voice from behind his back. He managed a weak grunt of approval before going back to his prior position. He would wait until Debalora was inside before he straightened himself, removing the support of his hand as he kept his distant stare onto the fireplace. She, no doubt, wanted to be caught up on things...especially with Denzel and...

"I can only guess you have questions for me." he said in a strangely quiet tone. The sadness he wouldn't allow to be shown was conflicting with his rage as seen in his eyes and the hard scowl he wore. It was only a matter of time before he would become a shattered vase; anyone could see that. In terms of psychological pressure, it seems Murdoc was winning. Antonis was well aware of this and tried hard to restrain himself. His fists were clutched, having the strange need to break everything in sight of him. Simply childish.

At this thought, Antonis suddenly stood from his seat and walked towards the fireplace, pressing a hand against the bricks on the mantle.

Debalora's ears folded back; hesitating. But she had to talk to him. She didn't know why she was this intimidated by him. Vincent had his moments.. And she's faced monsters beyond nightmares, but with Antonis there was this certain demand of intimation, an aura that consumed any sense of the opposite.

But Debalora swallowed her doubt and stepped inside, closing the door gently behind herself.

"....Only on what you plan to do." Was all she said. She didn't need to be descriptive about it, it was the reason why he was so angered.

Holding a firm stare, Antonis was silent after that question. Exactly what was he do to? There was no possible way to contact the other rebels at the Ministry, they would certainly fail to defend themselves in their weak state, and they would transport slowly with Gordan Mane having lost a limb. Antonis sighed in aggravation, "I don't know," he admitted never once looking back to Debalora.

A long moment's silence before, "This is merely a battle between Murdoc and myself. If I were to just..." he stopped there, letting the idea sink in.

Debalora stepped closer behind Antonis; ears perking up, but her simpathetic look still given. "You just what?"


[A small post, I know. But that happens with two sided conversations]

Antonis turned a bit, glancing towards Debalora quickly in a concealed way. "To just give him what he wants. A fight between us." he finished, moving to face Debalora even though he looked away from her.

Debalora's ears folded back. She knew exactly how this was going to end up. Antonis is going to feel the need to take everything onto himself. He'll refuse help and face Murdoc alone. Vincent was the same way, its obvious enough Antonis will do exactly as he did.

"And is that what you plan to do?" She asked as kindly as she could with the mood she was getting in. "Just go to him and fight"?

Antonis turned his gaze, glaring at Debalora as she finished, sensing she meant to make him sound literal. "Of course that's not what I plan on doing!" he barked outright, removing himself from the fireplace and taking a step towards her. "Hardly a plan! But when everything is said and done, that's what it comes down to."

Debalora was now in no mood to act kindly or intimidated. Sympathy would always be given for Antonis' position, but now he's yelling at her. She knew he was frustrated beyond all reason because of Aidan and Murdoc, but whenever she tried to give comforting words it was never taken seriously. Maybe now it was time to act like everyone else in this pack of theirs.. like an a-hole.

"And what IS your plan, Antonis? What exactly is 'said and done'?" She inquired, her tone louder than before.

"That's just it!" He shouted, banging his fist back against the fireplace wall. "I have no plan! No way of bringing us out of this." Antonis paused before looking up to Debalora, noticing her own tone. "I would suspect that you had some idea of your own...?" He asked in a more calm way.

Debalora folded her arms; leaning her weight on her hip. "Yeah, we talk it through together." she calmed her tone a bit, but she was still a bit moody. "Instead of only you taking it upon yourself." She paused and lowered her head slightly and raised it as she spoke again. "We decide who leaves to rescue Aidan and how they're going to do it."

Antonis watched her silently as though he were considering something, let alone to actually pronounce this thought.

"Have you come to that conclusion yourself or by experience?" He asked slowly, straightening himself. "...When you speak of "taking it upon yourself"."

Debalora's ears quickly folded back before her eyes were downcast. She honestly expected a more retaliating response than a question about what she said. She almost didn't know how to respond to it. She thought she said it because of how he was. But its how Vincent would have acted. Was she comparing Antonis and Vincent? Or are they so similar it was natural to think they would act the same way.

She didn't exactly want to say that thought at this point, so wording it differently was the more appropriate action. "I.." She looked up to him, her stern look returning. "You have had a lot of stress with everything,.. your position, with Aidan. With how you've been acting I assumed you would seclude yourself and take it all upon yourself and go alone." At this point she turned her head away.

Antonis found it frighteningly simple to read Debalora's expressions, so much so he didn't care to comment upon them. As she finished, he took a step towards her, tilting his head as one would when conversing with something odd.

"That is exactly how I feel like doing, but I cannot allow myself that 'pleasure'." he replied, afterwards straightening his head, looking upon her for a minute hesitantly.

"Can you blame me for that selfishness? I am but a man, Debalora. To know that something you love is being trampled on...how else am I to react? This pain in my chest makes me want to either seclude myself for years or throw out in a fit of rage! Just the very reminder that Murdoc Convel is still alive is..is...frustrating!"

He stopped himself from speaking further as though catching himself telling secrets, his eyes a bit widened as this realization dawned upon him. There was an odd pause before he would step away from Debalora and turning his back to her, all in silence.