"Eehhhh. What's up Doc?" Akagi said as he held a certain orange vegetable out to the bunny. "Go on. I promise you'll like it." She smirked as she wiggled the carrot up and down.

{You just couldn't resist, could you?} (Yumi)

{I was going to scream BUNNY at the top of my lungs but decided against it, so why not praise me for my restraint instead?} (Akagi)

{Yes, yes. You're a good kitty for not being EXTREMELY stupid this one time... Mental pets for you, there there...} (Yumi)

{MEW!} (Akagi)

"Oh, you fucking didn't." Camilla's smirk twisted into a nasty scowl. Clearly the bunny did not approve of being patronized.

"Hey, all I did was offer the bunny a snack. What's wrong with that?" Akagi returned a nasty grin of her own as she took a bite of the carrot. "I'd say it's quite nice of me, considering you just interrupted our discussion with your antics."

"You fucking bitch. How about we take this outside?" Camilla said, cracking her fingers. "It looks like I need to teach you a lesson in respect."

{Hooo boy...} (Yumi)

"Respect?" Akagi said coldly as she slowly stood up. "Little girl, I think you need to learn what that word means." She said, her voice distorting as she held out her hand. "[Consum-]"

"Wait!" Hezmal yelled, prompting Akagi to pause the rabbit's imminent demise. "Lady Camillia, this is an important meeting with our esteemed guest! I will not allow you to insult her or cause discord! Get down from the table and leave this room immediately!"

"Huh?" Camilla turned to look at the Dwarf over her shoulder. "Are you saying you don't

need me, Dwarf?" She said she walked across the table and glared down at him. "Need I remind you that it is I who's kept your people from falling to those monsters? I'd say you need to show more appreciation for all my hard work. Or perhaps you'd rather I leave you to your fate?"

{So, I'm sure you've noticed but our little rabbit here isn't exactly as she appears.} (Yumi)

{Naturally. She reeks of death, and I've seen her kind before in FWO. I figured they existed on Enoris what will all the magic flying around, but to see one in person was a bit unexpected..} (Akagi)

{Shall I instruct Alice to capture her for experimentation? I'm sure she and Imp would enjoy such a unique test subject.} (Yumi)

{For now, let's see how things play out. But in the end, I suspect we'll be taking her along. She may prove useful in Zephira's soul experiments if nothing else. Plus, you don't get to mouth off to me and get away with it.} (Akagi)

"Lady Camilla, please. We are tremendously grateful for your help and that of the Order, but we cannot allow you to insult our guest." Bogram said, sweat forming on his brow. He knew how dangerous the bunny could be and wasn't interested in seeing her tear up the Capital in a fit of rage.

"Hmpf." Camilla huffed as she returned her weapon to its place on her back. "You're lucky. Az would be angry with me if I walked away and left you to your fate." She clicked her tongue. "Oi! You!" She turned and pointed to Akagi, who was still considering eating her and just getting this whole thing out of the way. "Be glad I'm such a generous woman. I'll let you off with a warning, but if you try anything like that again." She said indicating with her thumb that she'd slice Akagi's head off.

{Please kill her. And make it painful.} (Yumi)

{Don't worry, I'll make sure she regrets her ignorance. I don't tolerate this kind of disrespect.} (Akagi)

"Perhaps I'd take your words as more than simple bluster if you were actually something substantial." Akagi said, deciding that riling her up was entirely worth the headache it would cause for the Dwarves. “Like, I've literally eaten people far more worth my time for breakfast.” She yawned to make it even more insulting. “A stupid rabbit like you is little more than a fly in my soup.”

"Oh-ho!You really are trying to test my patients, aren't you?" Camilla said as she eyed the Demon up. "But you don't look like much yourself, Demon."

"Looks can be deceiving, Lich." Akagi smirked as the bunny's eyes widened in shock, her use of that term causing a bit of a stir among the Council.

"You..." Camilla hissed as she reached for her scissors. "How do you know about that?"

"I've met others of your kind in the past, and you reek of death." Akagi answered, trying her best to be vague. "It wasn't hard to figure it out after a few seconds. Your soul isn't where it should be, so that kind of gave it away too."

"Impressive." Camilla hummed in thought. "Even Az took a few weeks to out me." She said as she jumped and landed in front of Akagi, squatting down to meet her face-to-face. "Maybe there is something to you after all. Who the hell are you anyway? I don't recall hearing about a Demon diplomat coming to the City."

"My name is Akagi, and I'm here on behalf of my nation." Akagi replied as she met the Litch's gaze with her own.

"Akagi... Akagi..." Camilla thought for a moment, wracking her brain as she tried to figure out where she'd heard that name before it finally dawned on her. "Wait... You're not-"

"I am." Akagi allowed her voice to distort as she gave a happy smile. “So what was that about me not looking like much?”

"Huh..." Camilla's lips curved into a wry smile. It seemed that she was more excited than afraid of the Demon. "Well, I'll be... Didn't think the monster itself would just waltz right up to me. I'm not sure who's the foolish one here."

{Most certainly you...} (Akagi x Yumi x Dwarven Council)

"I've heard much about your Dawn Order from a subordinate of mine, but she was under the impression that you'd been crippled." Akagi commented. "Such a nice bunch you are, rushing out to save the Dwarves like that. Certified Grade A: H.E.R.O.S. Ain'tcha?"

"Hmpf, I'm just doing what I was told." Camilla retorted. "Az took off and made this my problem, so I've got no choice but to handle it since that's my job."

"And yet the Dwarves are still being pushed back? Would you like some help?" Akagi offered, knowing full well she'd be rebuffed. “I could spare a bit of man power if you can't handle things on your own.”

"As if." Camilla said as she slowly stood up. "I'll handle those monsters and whatever is leading them soon enough. I just need to get warmed up, that's all. Just gimme a few days and I'll send these monsters crawling back to the hole they waltzed out of."

"I see. Then good luck. It sounds like you'll need it." Akagi continued to give a fake smile. "Councilmen Hezmal, it would seem you have no need for my help at the moment, but know that Dumetor is more than happy to provide if the Order is unable to help."

"W-We will keep that in mind." Hezmal said, his face almost stark white from the stress of the situation.

"Oi, Oi, Oi... Hang on a moment. I just realized something, are the Dwarves siding with the Demon Lord?" Camilla asked the Council. "That's gotta be a big no-no, right?" She smirked, hinting no so subtly that she'd report their actions here today.

"Be honest, do you really even care about that?" Akagi asked. "And besides, if you go outing the Dwarves and kicking up a stink, won't that put you at risk? The Dawn Order is technically a fugitive from Divine punishment, right?"

"We've got authorization to act, so I'm not too worried about that." Camilla said, her words troubling Akagi due to the implications.

{Does that mean the Gods have teamed up with the Order? I suppose that makes sense if they really need people acting on the ground. They're going to try and assemble whatever forces they can to stop me, so teaming up with an old enemy makes perfect sense.} (Akagi)

"But..." Camilla sighed. "You are right that I don't care, and my orders do not presently involve fighting you and causing a blow-up."

{Hell, Lady Reflia would probably want the Dwarves teaming up with this thing based on some of her comments. Gods and their dammed plans...} (Camilla)

"How lovely." Akagi smiled. "So, how about this? I'll leave the destruction of those monsters to you, and if you're unable to handle them, I'll step in. Does that seem fair?" She said, looking at Hezmal.

"I... I suppose it would." Hezmal said, wiping his forehead with a small towel. "Lady Camilla, do you have any objections?"

"Nah, I'll wipe out the monsters on my own." Camilla paused for a moment before turning to the Council members. "Actually, I've got an idea." She smirked. "Once I defeat the monsters and save your asses, I want the Dwarves to kick the Demon Lord out of the City. There's no reason for you to negotiate with her at that point, and doing so may end up putting your entire people in danger."

{Oh?} (Akagi)

"W-We will take that under advisement..." Hezmal nodded as Camilla hopped off the table and made her way to the door.

"Oh, and one more thing." Camilla paused in the doorway. "Demon Lord, I'll be watching you. Try anything funny, and you'll be facing a whole lot more than just me. So remember that when you're poking your nose into things that don't involve you."

"Noted." Akagi replied without turning to look at the bunny as she left the room, the large doors closing behind her. “Aaaand note deleted.” She chuckled.

{Unlike Katlyn, I don't find that one's attitude endearing or cute. She's a cocky bitch, and I can't wait to play with her.} (Akagi)

"Please accept my utmost apologies for her." Hezmal bowed. "Lady Camilla..." He paused as he tried to best organize his thoughts. "We are in debt to the Order, and her help was instrumental in driving those creatures back."

"Understandable." Akagi shrugged. "You need not worry, Councilmen. I've taken no offense at her words. At least regarding you." She continued. "I would caution against trusting her or the Order. It's clear that they're acting under the direction of someone else, likely a God, and as we all know, the Gods are not to be trusted." She said before turning to leave. "I'll believe that is where I will leave things for now. Think over my offer irrespective of the pest that just interrupted us and decide how you wish to proceed. I'll wait for a response, but I would advise you to make your decision quickly. After all, there's no telling what other creatures may yet show up." She said as Yumi formally bowed, and the two of them left the conference room, leaving the Council in complete silence.

"Do you believe we can trust her words?" Bogram asked the other members for their thoughts.

"She's clearly got an angle, but what it might be... I cannot fathom." Minister Earthbraids sighed deeply. “There is no such thing as a free lunch, and taking aid from the Demon Lord will have consequences. Consequences that we must be prepared for if we go down that path.”

"We should tread lightly. I fear if we make the wrong call here... It will mean the end of our entire race..." Hezmal said as he buried his head in his hands.