In Another Life [The Arcana Swap AU]

Upright: Success

Asra grit his teeth and stepped forward, letting go of my arm as he started forwards, only stopping when Muriel said his name in a worriedly hushed sort of tone from the bed. He had hesitated then, his previous stance of angry conviction easing and relaxing as he turned to look over his shoulder, meeting Muriel's nervous stare. That was all it took to calm him into rationality, and step back some, falling beside Julian and I rather than stepping out ahead of the group,

"Of course we have a good plan," he stated, voice quiet and collected, his hands lowered down to his sides. "You really think we would just let you get this far? Give in, Countess Nadia. You're incredibly out skilled and out numbered."

Portia gave a disgusted scoff from behind Asra, taking her own threatening step forwards from her spot by the bed. "That's right," she said, lifting one hand into another and cracking her knuckles, eyes scanning the walls and the swords, likely running through them for the best choice for her attack. "And no one here is on good terms with you, milady."

"None of you are on good terms with each other, either," she said, a little smile on her lips. Julian stepped forward. "You all hate each other in some way."
"We all hate you. We all want to get rid of you and your words, your lies, won't get you anywhere!" he argued, taking another step forward as if he'd be able to successfully intimidate her. She didn't seem fazed.

"Are you serious? You're all-" Nadia did attempt to speak again but this time Asra cut her off.

"You think we care what you have to say?" Asra laughed, cocking his head to the side. A sly sort of mischief sparkled in his narrowed eyes -- a secret sort of plan that brightened up his previously dark features. "I'm sorry to break it to you, Countess Nadia, but no one here really values your input all that much anymore. You're not in charge of anyone. As far as Vesuvia is concerned, you died three years ago."

Portia gave a snort, building on the new atmosphere Asra's calm, almost mocking tone began to instill. "You're old news, milady," she hummed, setting her hands on her hips. "About time, too. I'm sure there wasn't a person in Vesuvia who could even stand you before you died. So commanding and annoying... ugh."

"'Do this Asra!' 'Make this Julian!' 'Blah, blah, blah!'" Asra snickered, turning his head to the side to give Portia a wink. "No wonder she we all saw her as a bird. She was always squawking at everyone in life. Why not in death, too?"

Nadia's eyes widened, suddenly enraged.
"You always were insufferable!" She shrieked at him, opening her mouth to speak before Julian burst out laughing behind her. She turned to him, eyes ablaze, about to dare him to speak when he looked up at her.
"She really does sound like a bird!" he said, laughing, his eyes fixing on Asra, who began to laugh with him after a moment. She grew red with anger and embarrassment, turning to look at Lucio.

"You!" She shouted at him. "You can't let them talk about me like this!"

"Oh, come on," Lucio said with a grin, laughing. "They've said worse about me. Now it's your turn to hear the kind of things people always said behind your back." She grit her teeth, growing more and more annoyed.
"I'll kill all of you!" she threatened. "I'll kill all of you! Stop laughing!"

Asra turned to look at her, bringing his arms up and folding them over his chest. "And how are you going to do that, Countess?" he asked, cocking his head. "You're barely even alive -- the only reason you're here is because you have some weak deals with a Devil who will inevitably betray you."

"Besides," Portia piped up from behind Asra, grinning at the sight of her previous tormenter's complete and utter mortification, "it's five on one. We've got two magicians, a kick-ass pair of siblings, a man the size of a mountain, and a cool rich Count! We're, like, basically unstoppable."