A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Elora looked around the room, and when she saw everyone's attention was solely on her, she continued. "Option one is the simplest," she began sternly. "In her current state, there'd be little this confessor could do against being enslaved by Emily's spell, so all we'd have to do is wait for Emily's return."

Erik frowned upon hearing this plan, rapping his fingers against the sofa's armrest while his other arm was wrapped around Emma's waist. "I can see why that's the easiest, but I can also see the serious limitations of it."

Smirking, Elora nodded. "Right. Emily's enslavement is a brute-force, mind-suppression type. With its influence, we could get direct answers to direct questions, but… that would essentially be it. Any nuance would be lost. Her answers would be shallow, lacking in depth. Basically, we need to know the question to get the answer, and I'm not sure we have all the questions."

Everyone nodded along with her explanation, as they could follow along with what she meant. If their questions weren't precisely worded, they'd miss crucial information, and they'd need to know the question needed to be asked to get any information at all. If the question were too general, the answer would be too general as well.

"Though there is one benefit to this approach," Elora continued with an indifferent shrug. "When we're done with our questions, we can dispose of her."

Erik cocked an eyebrow upon hearing that. "Why?" he asked sceptically. "Wouldn't it be better to keep her around in case we figure out what other questions we should ask? I mean, I wouldn't want her in our home long-term, but I'm sure we could transfer her to the facility under Enkare Nkai. That'd be safe enough, I think."

"That's true," Elora nodded while drinking her tea with a thoughtful frown. "But I don't think keeping her around for future questions would weigh up against the information her death could reveal."

Seeing her family's questioning gazes, Elora continued with a smirk. "Confessors have clearly gone through some kind of alteration process they call 'ascension'. That, as well as the many connections between them and Imogene, and the rumour that Gabriel might still be alive somehow, are all things this Meilin's body might reveal some more answers on."

She shrugged indifferently again. "But… for me to be as thorough as possible in examining her, she'd have to be dead." Her lips then curled into a menacing smirk. "Or, rather, she quickly would be after I begin."

Her tone was callous, filled with indifference, and perhaps even amusement at this confessor's fate. Elora definitely had a sadistic streak, and it became especially apparent when talking about enemies of their family.

Of course, it's not like any of her listeners were that compassionate, especially for their foes. Even Emma barely reacted, as her compassion and kindness were reserved mainly for Erik and Emily, mostly for the family, and partially for innocents and allies.

They stayed silent for a moment as they let the risks and benefits of this option sink in before Erik spoke up with a sigh. "Alright, that's option one, then. Knowing you, you'll prefer the second option, even if it's harder. And I have some idea of what your second idea might be…"

Giggling, Elora grinned at her beloved. "Hehe, you're right, and of course you do! The second, and my preferred option, is obviously Nora. After all, what's the point of having a proselytiser if you don't use them to brainwash your enemies into joining you?"

A cruel light flashed through her emerald eyes. "As soon as her mind and soul are bound to Erik, she'll agree to help me replace Imogene's Bond of Service with mine and Erik's. By then, she'll not only be a powerful servant, but happily spill every bean she's got."

Her second idea was perhaps even more callous than her first, though her initial explanation didn't even convey the true horror of what she'd planned for Meilin…

"Would that really work?" Astrid asked sceptically, voicing the same concerns Erik had. "Don't Nora's targets need to be at least somewhat disposed towards joining the religion, or whatever? Weren't there a bunch of Enkarian brats who were forced to listen to her for hours without even becoming a little more positively inclined towards our beloved brute? Let alone clamoring to serve him?"

Cocking an eyebrow, Erik glanced at her strangely.

Noticing his look, Astrid smirked at him. "Are you saying you're elegant?"

Emma and Elora giggled, while Erik smirked wryly, unwilling to make that claim. Just like Astrid, he did prefer the direct approach. Meanwhile, outside of the occasional reaction, Emma stayed quiet. Though she was ostensibly a part of the conversation, she usually preferred silence, trusting Erik to make the best decision.

"Heh, anyway, you're right," Elora nodded after the moment was over. "Simply having Nora read her sermons to this woman for days on end would likely bear little result…"

Surprisingly, she fell silent for a moment and looked at the others with some apprehension. Erik frowning as their bond told him Elora's hesitation was related to their reaction to her next words, rather than her own caution or indecision.

Erik, Emma, and Astrid looked at Elora strangely until Erik spoke up. "What's with the hesitation, little Ember? Have you actually devised a plan so evil you're afraid to tell us?" He chuckled lightly. "I already know how callous you can be, my love. You won't surprise me."

Elora sighed and looked at him, her face full of complicated emotions. "It's not that… I mean, I believe I've come up with worse things, I just know the theme of this one is something you'll be particularly troubled by."

Seeing Erik frown, but still nod encouragingly, Elora sighed again and combed a hand through her crimson hair. "Right, so… What we need to do is create an incentive for this woman to take Nora's words to heart… I want to put her through the process of becoming a finger."

Erik's frown didn't waver, but did become more sceptical. "How would that work?" he asked. "We accidentally discovered a way to make Nora's targets fall even deeper into their devotion to me, but it still requires their willing participation."

Elora shook her head hesitantly before getting to the heart of her cruel plan.

"Not exactly…" she muttered, before taking a deep breath. "This is where the incentive comes in. For Anne, the incentive to not cum and draw on the strength Nora's words gave her was her desire to stay with you, Erik. For Meilin, we'll need to give her a different incentive… like the knowledge that cumming would end the pleasure and herald the return of pain..."