"I think I'll decide who I am or who I'm not scared of, witch," replied Blacksticks, lifting the crossbow so that it would be more likely to hit a standing figure. The statement sounded a bit dubious in retrospect, but he didn't try to retract it. The fact was that he had no idea what the woman could do with her powers, or even if she had any. In truth, she hasn't shown any arcane abilities outside of seeing in the dark, and that's from some sort of potion. Have I actually found a magician, or have I just attacked a defenceless girl?
Caution won over in the thief's mind, and he kept his weapon trained on where the voice had come from. At least the girl seemed afraid of Snuff, if maybe not so much the crossbow. Intimidation was probably the best tactic to pursue, in that case. Well, if he could bring himself to threaten such a frightened, defenceless, and most likely young girl. He wasn't going to be walking away from this with dignity if someone found out that he'd been holding a powerless woman at crossbow-point. And it would be worse, although more unlikely, if anyone found out that he'd actually been afraid of her. (Although, come to think of it, he may well not be walking away at all if it turned out that she was actually some god-powerful sorceress.) In any case, he realised, he would probably do well to identify his foe.
"Merlot, did you say your name was? Well, be aware of your position when you answer this, in any case," he hissed, waving the crossbow meaningfully.
"Are you a magic-user? And if so, are there any more like you nearby?"
Hmm. Subtle.
(Doubleplussorry for the... two-week late post. I'd say I was taking my time with it, but... Well, you read it. I've just had a huge writer's block recently.)[/i]