The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating despite the open frozen wasteland.

Jack's mind raced with multiple different scenarios.

Is she aware of what's in the cave? Did she just follow me?

'I guess I should be prepared to fight her, this was earlier than I thought it would be.'

Rynath was a general.

Intelligence specialist meant she was observant, analytical, probably aware of multiple escape routes and had contingencies planned.

She'd followed him.

Watched him enter the cave. Possibly observed the entire exchange with S and Kyren.

His cover might be completely blown.

Which meant she was a threat that needed to be eliminated immediately.

Jack's grip on Oscar shifted slightly, his body language preparing for violence even as his face remained impassive behind the helmet.

Magic began gathering at the edges of his consciousness, ready to flood his system the moment he committed to action.

'I need to kill her fast. Before she alerts the fortress.'

"Why are you following me?"

Jack's voice cut through the silence, flat and emotionless.

It was an accusation.

Rynath's serpentine eyes widened slightly, her scaled features showing something that looked almost like surprise.

Her mouth opened, closed, and opened again.

"I... I was..." she started, then stopped.

Jack's muscles tensed.

She knew she'd been caught.

'She's probably trying to figure out the best lie.'

His hand tightened on Oscar, magic continuing to build.

"I saw you..." Rynath tried again, her usual confident tone completely absent. "You left the fortress and I..."

She trailed off, seeming unable to complete the sentence.

Her hands moved in small, uncertain gestures, completely unlike the controlled intelligence specialist who'd evaluated him in the meeting with the generals.

His magic gathered to critical mass, ready to activate Abyssal Steps, ready to close the distance in a blink and drive Oscar through her heart before she could…

{YOU IDIOT!}

Oscar's voice exploded in Jack's mind with such force that he actually flinched, his preparation faltering for just a moment.

'What?'

{She's not here to report on you! She's not suspicious of your cover! She's not gathering intelligence for Pho!}

'Then why…''

{SHE'S ATTRACTED TO YOU, YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!}

Jack's thoughts grounded to a complete halt, his thoughts derailing so thoroughly that he actually lowered Oscar slightly.

'...What?'

{How are you this DENSE?! The stuttering! The nervous body language! The complete inability to form coherent sentences! She followed you because she's INTERESTED in you! As in romantically! As in she has a CRUSH on the mysterious demon who kills people and isn't afraid of anything!}

'That's not... I'm not...'

{YES IT IS! Look at her! She's blushing! Her face is flushed! She can barely make eye contact! She's basically begging for you to claim her! I've been a sentient weapon for decades and even I can see it!}

Jack's eyes focused on Rynath's face with new attention.

Her scaled features did look slightly darker, particularly around her cheeks.

Her serpentine eyes kept glancing at him then away, unable to hold his gaze for more than a second.

'That doesn't make sense. I've only been here a few days. I've been brutal and violent and…'

{AND SHE FINDS THAT ATTRACTIVE! Some people like the strong, dangerous type! Especially someone who's competent, confident, and can back up their attitude with overwhelming violence! You're basically checking every box for her!}

'I'm not attracted to demons.'

{That's completely irrelevant to whether SHE'S attracted to YOU! Pay attention!}

Jack's mind struggled to process this new information, trying to reconcile his assessment with Oscar's completely different interpretation of the situation.

'You're sure?'

{One hundred percent! Well, ninety-eight percent. There's a small chance she's the towers's best actress and this is all an elaborate trap, but honestly? I don't think she's that good. This is genuine awkwardness from someone who doesn't know how to express attraction without her usual confidence!}

'This complicates things.'

{It doesn't have to! This is an OPPORTUNITY! Do you know how useful it is to have a demon general attracted to you? Think of the access! Political leverage!}

Jack's thoughts immediately shifted.

Oscar was right. If Rynath was genuinely attracted to him, that was a vulnerability he could exploit.

Access to her intelligence networks, potential protection from other generals, maybe even information about Pho's weaknesses.

But he'd have to play this carefully.

If he was too obvious and she'd realize she was being manipulated.

If he was too distant, the attraction would fade.

{Okay, first things first, you need to respond to her in a way that doesn't kill this opportunity. Say something! Anything! Just not threatening!}

'Like what?'

{I don't know! Compliment her! Ask about her day! Tell her you appreciate her interest! Something romantic!}

'I'm not doing that.'

{Then let me help! I have DECADES of stored pickup lines! Just repeat what I say!}

'Absolutely not.'

{Come on! Just try one! How about…. "Are you a demon? Because you've possessed my heart!"?}

'No.'

{Fine, fine! Too cheesy. How about… "Your scales shine brighter than the crimson sky, and twice as beautiful!"?}

'I'm not saying that.'

{Okay, less flowery. Try this… "I'd cross all one hundred floors of Tartarus just to see you smile."?}

'Oscar, I swear…'

{What about… "You must be tired, because you've been running through my mind all day!"? No wait, that's terrible even by my standards. Scratch that one.}

'I'm going to throw you into a volcano.'

{You wouldn't dare! I'm your best weapon! Your demon-killing companion! Your romantic advisor!}

'That last one isn't a selling point.'

{It should be! Look at you! You're terrible with women! You need all the help you can get!}

While Jack argued internally with Oscar, Rynath continued to struggle with her explanation, her nervousness only increasing as the silence stretched on.

"I just... when I saw you leaving..." she tried again, her usual smooth tone completely absent. "I thought maybe... I wanted to see..."

{SAY SOMETHING BEFORE THIS GETS MORE AWKWARD!}

Jack took a breath, pushing aside Oscar's constant commentary and spoke with that same flat tone he'd been using since infiltrating the fortress.

"I just went for a walk to clear my head."

A neutral response that didn't commit to anything.

Rynath's expression showed visible relief, as if she'd been worried he'd react with hostility.

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, though she still seemed uncertain.

"Oh. That's... that's good. Clearing your head is... important."

{RIVETING CONVERSATION! TRULY THE ROMANCE OF THE CENTURY!}

'Shut up.'

{Make her feel more comfortable! Show some engagement! You're supposed to be manipulating this situation!}

Jack considered for a moment, then started walking back toward the fortress. After a few steps, he glanced back at Rynath.

"You coming? Or are you planning to stand there all night?"

It wasn't romantic, nor particularly friendly, but it was an invitation.

A sign that he wasn't hostile to her presence.

Rynath quickly moved to catch up, falling into step beside him as they walked across the frozen wasteland.

The silence between them was less tense now, but still awkward.

Neither one seemed to know what to say, and Oscar's constant internal commentary wasn't helping Jack's concentration.

{This is your moment! Build rapport! Establish connection! Make her feel special!}

'I'm trying to think.'

{You're thinking too much! Just talk to her! Ask about her day! Her interests! Her hopes and dreams!}

'We're walking back to a fortress where I'm planning to kill multiple demons including possibly her. This isn't a first date.'

{Everything is a first date if you're romantic enough about it!}

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