Private Finished Entertainment District

Her words rung hollow on Euphemia's ears, automatically tuning them out. All she knew right now was that Elisa was attempting to influence her mind. Standard operating procedure was to treat this as an attack, locate the source, and eliminate it before it could force her to do anything. At that moment, Euphemia was operating entirely on her training, fingers squeezed around her neck as she loomed over the shorter girl. Her face was the same emotionless mask, the only difference being her eyes, wide and full of energy. However, she couldn't shut out her power, the attraction still lingering in her mind and colouring her perception. Even while part of her mind told her to neutralise the girl, the other could only notice more details about her, the way she squirmed, how warm her body felt now that it was so close. She felt something tingling against her nose, her lack of breathing keeping whatever it was from entering any further. All she knew is that it only intensified these unfamiliar feelings.

It made her want more.

Elisa couldn't stop her, part of her brain reasoned. She was stronger, strong enough to where she could take her time and investigate further without being threatened.

With that, Euphemia leaned down, eyes losing their focus. She brought her head close to Elisa's, and without warning, took a long, deep whiff of her scent, feeling her body shiver ever so slightly as she does.

Euphemia was so caught up in the moment that she didn't even see Elisa moving until their lips met. As soon as they do she stops moving, the kiss holding her attention entirely. All the desire she had felt this whole time suddenly seemed small in comparison to the simple contact between them.

And then it was all gone, just like that.

After the split second it takes Euphemia to analyse the situation with a lucid mind, she immediately lets go of her, taking several steps backwards, away from her, the black veins across her skin receding.

"I am deeply sorry for my actions." She said without a moments pause, eyes closed, hands crossed in front, her posture and composure returned. "I should not have done that. I swear I will not do so again."

Father Jakov hadn't given her many details when she arrived, but he had been very clear that she was not to hurt anyone, only to fight in self-defence as long as she was on the island. Even if Elisa had been influencing her mind, she didn't think she truly meant her harm. She might have killed her without even thinking because of her training.

As for her...other impulses, she didn't know what to think of those.

"I will not ask for forgiveness, but please be assured, I do not want to hurt you." Her voice has returned to its original lack of expression, but she's no less earnest.

There was another little crack in her composure, her face twisting a bit in uncertainty.

"I-I see..."

She knew of love, of course, but she'd never felt it before, never expected to feel it. Love was for others, those who weren't a well of sin. She wasn't supposed to give or receive it.

And yet, even if it was fake, Elisa had proven she could.

"Regardless, I must ask of you, please never do something like that again. It is absolutely imperative my mind remains uncompromised in the event of-"

She cut herself off. She wasn't part of the order anymore, there was no mission she'd need to keep herself lucid for.

"...I would prefer to keep my mind secure." She eventually said, the tiny bit of uncertainty still in her voice.

"Very well. I appreciate it."

She nodded her head, face back to its normal impassive expression. A strand of hair fell loose over her face, and she quickly brushed it back in place.

"However, I believe it would be best for me to return to the dorms for now. While I would like to continue my investigation of the strip, I think perhaps it should be left for another day.

Truth be told, the day's events had given Euphemia a lot to think about. She needed to sort through all this new information, figure out how to process what had happened. Especially in regards to Elisa.

"If you wish to come with me, I will not object."

She gave her permission with a brief, curt nod. It might have even seemed cold if Euphemia wasn't always so emotionless. She turns to leave, then pauses for a moment, noticing something.

"...I have just realised I do not know where the dorms are in relation to our current location." She stated.