"The elf?"
Maria, or rather Aria, hugged Mel loosely with one hand around her waist, the other petting her thigh idly.
With a squish to jolt the dazed Mel back to her senses, Maria frowned. "I thought you were targeting Mel, though?"
"I see that you're informed... how pretentious."
The masked figure puffed out his chest, the chain ringing as he shuffled forward. "Though that merely proves my theory even more."
Mel's hand wrapped around Maria's on her thigh, her eyes locked onto the masked figure with an unspoken vigilance.
"What theory?"
Her confused voice echoed between the cliffs before she summoned her staff in preparation.
"Oh, no need to hide yourself any further." The masked figure hunched over, as if mocking. "Whether it is a devilish idea for Mel Sakura's safety or a desperate act of safety, it is but a futile attempt to hide before my eyes... Lila Vexara."
...ha?
