She wasn't speaking directly to him, more about and around him. But he doubted someone would speak on his behalf. "Let's not pretend cheating matters to you," he remarked coldly.
"I mean, I could always help with that?" Kalani offered. "Since I'm pretty sure my abilities would come in handy to get them onside. Just a thought."
With great willpower he closed his eyes and replied as civilly as possible, "And I can try. We can try," he said pointing between Kalani and himself. He'd just have to have the unpleasant experience of encountering one first.
"Let's go." He gestured for Andy. Before they split up, her charging into battle and him slinking into the shadows, he decided to make conversation. "So what happened last night huh?" He saw the couple dancing and being all cute and loving, then they disappeared together for the night so he could draw the lines. Then again, he decided he didn’t need to hear it or be directly lied to. "You know, I actually had a little more faith in you. What’s worse is you’re supposed to be better than that. You know what he’s done, where he’s been but you act like a little teen girl with no self control. I mean what’d he do? Blow in your ear, tell you he loves you? If I wanted to conquer someone in the sac, I’d do that too, Andy!" He didn't even know he was biting back on the whole matter for so long until it exploded out of him like that. It wasn't even frustration alone but it was laced with disappointment. Any time he grew hope...
Honestly it was hard for him to even look at her. He really thought she had more brains than to give into a moment's desire. Mason put a hand in the air. "You know what, fuck this." Mason marched off and the pitch black enveloped him.
His pace gained him some ground and just when he was about to rip off his band, he heard some twigs snap and Mason looked up and saw Alex alone confronting two dog-like creatures with her hands up. While it wasn't the chance, it was a chance. Mason emerged from the shadow, and placed his hands on both the dogs flanks. They growled and spat at first at the contact but then he had them on his side. For a moment he stared at Alex. "Sic' her boys," he ordered, sending the beasts charging forward at Alex.
Staring competitions weren't his cup of tea and when it came from a few different angles, it was a hard game to win or to even engage in. Thankfully a voice from the side emerged serving as a distraction."Hey- Will you be alright guarding on your own? I can hang back with you if you like, not that I'll be much help on the, ah, defence front." Then a warm smile graced her features. "I'm Annie, by the way."
"Oh, thank you," he answered. For taking initiative to introduce herself and for offering to hang back with him he supposed and being genuinely kind and considerate. Soon realizing that wasn't conversational or really answered her question, he added, "I'm Keith. But you already knew that cause..." Keith tried to grin at his foolishness but he wanted to die. "I'm sure I'll manage guard duty. I mean if things get bad people will just fall back and help defend anyway, right?"
“Also, as a bit of a forewarning, some of the reds are equipped with light armor but even through armor there's weakness,” Trinity told the team just as he was able to feign confidence.
Keith's shoulders slumped. "Great." Nonetheless he looked back to Annie and smiled reassuringly.
“Can we join hands for a moment or touch? It’s not to pray, I promise you,” a red head concluded. Keith frowned but drifted over to link up with his teammates. Whatever she did, Keith felt better. Like every color and shape was way more defined and vibrant, he could smell the woods. He inhaled deeply then came out of his daze as she spoke again. “I don’t know much about war strategy but I think we have a strong team to use misdirection to our advantage.”
"Misdirection," he heard himself echo. It felt like there was sense in the world again. "I can do that." Keith didn’t have to be a brute force, just think outside the box a little. And if Duke only mentioned him as defense, well...that was a hella a lot of faith from a logical person. Surely it was in him to think out the box.
He rubbed his hands together as if warming up his magic. He had this. Plus according to Duke's plan there was a whole first line of defense pushed forward before anyone got to him.
D U K ExxL O Y C E N
TROJANS | HEX:#780707 | Outfit
TROJANS | HEX:#780707 | Outfit
Evelyn suggested they gather which was odd to say the least so out of the blue but Duke obeyed and shifted into range of the girl and felt better for it. Then she threw in her extra two cents by saying they had the team for misdirection to be an advantage.
They did and could but that was up to how the team played to decide that. No matter, Duke nodded to them. "Okay guys, do what you will. You essentially know you best."
His eyes finally flickered to Ajax's sternly. "Hang back in case stragglers get through" he had said. It was a good excuse, but not himself. With all there was to say already said, he marched off, gesturing for the team to move out too. Duke didn't get anywhere in a hurry, instead, he moved at a pace that lingered for Trinity who caught up in no time and he saw previously having words with Ajax. "Is he okay?" Duke checked. He gave her a moment to answer before offering a bright side. "It's probably good that we raise a bit of suspicion. Cause a bit of doubt among the Spartans." Ajax's lack of attendance may have brought that about but probably needed reinforcing. And Sylas in the first line of attack would also be a contributing factor. "Split up. Then they wont know who's coming for them or at what angle. But hit before our flank can be exposed. Keep them busy. I won't be too far."