For a brief moment, there was genuine surprise at the depths of Rickter's conflicted emotions. She could not hear the symphonies, nor could she feel even a drop of empathy for the man, but the expressions he made and the steadily dropping temperature spoke louder than any words. Surprise melted to contempt, but a smile was forced back into place.
"It is not I who is forcing you to choose.", Lyrielle laughed derisively, "Child... It was you who let yourself be overcome with emotion and lash out. You abandoned your family, forced your so-called companions to pick up the pieces of your mess, and even when time and time again you fail because of thoughtless actions you still leap into danger without care or concern for others."
Her form dispersed to flow around Rickter, a hand cupping his cheek gently as Lyrielle's warm breath whispered in his ear, "The wolf who chases two rabbits catches neither. Why must you choose between them? Because you have made it a choice."
She withdrew and reformed in the air in front of Rickter, crossing her legs and resting a hand on one cheek, "You are owed a single favor in payment for your aid in Zaichaer. Will you use it to help rescue Talon, or to ensure the safety of your loved ones?" Her eyes shone a scarlet gold as she leaned forward, knowing what it was Rickter feared, as she could taste it in the air and feel it reverberating through the mark of obtenebration on her chest, "What is more important to you now?"
