372 words
There was a distinct change in the woman she faced now—what had started out pleasant, if not a little bored, began to roil with dark energy. Niobe's lip twitched subtly as she fought the sudden urge to say something about it. Though typically nonchalant, there were occasions where her arrogance got the better of her and she would act above others. Now was one of those times where, in a very uncharacteristic display of self-control, she fought that urge.
Still, the obvious sarcasm in Eris' voice easily provoked Niobe into wanting to make the other even more aggravated. Being able to control one's emotions was a sign, as far as she was concerned, of superiority and focus. Eris was unfortunately failing in that aspect. So, with a thin smile perfumed with innocent intent, she said, I'm sorry you did not have a choice.
Though what was life without choices? It was impossible that Eris had to return against all other options. The woman that Niobe saw seemed to be of strong will and mind, despite her fumbling emotional discipline, and so the dark-furred Luperci could not understand how her Lykoi companion had been forced. Still, it wasn't here place to ask that sort of question. Instead, when Eris extended the invitation of staying, she put on her best grateful smile and replied with, I'd love to.
After all, if her history was as deeply steeped in this place as Eris suggested, there was no harm in staying. Though she knew nothing of her father aside from a name—a name she had never spoken aloud, no less—and less still about the family she was apparently a part of, it wasn't detrimental to her to learn. It was better than returning to her mother and that fucked up kid she had produced. She blamed the father of Artie for his issues, and she refused to deal with them as a mother should. Instead, she preferred to travel the world and sleep with any man who looked at her the right way, displaying a casual freedom in her life that was only slightly tamer than when it had began.
So Inferni would be her new playground, then. So be it.