Miranda: "Yes, my lord. Can this," *glances at the annihilator* "This thing set up the ambush without me? I'd like to attend tonight's ball."
Phobos:
"The ball?"He makes a grimace.
Miranda: "Um, well... I was thinking." *looks toward the ground* "It'd be a good chance for me to talk to Elyon and stuff. You know," *looks back at the dark prince* "So she trusts me more."
Phobos:
"There'll be plenty of time for that later. Right now I want you to go prepare the trap for the guardians."Miranda: "Please, my lord!" *gets down on one knee & grabs his hand as she begs* "I've never been to a ball before. I'd like... I want to go to the ball."
Phobos:
"You dare defy a direct order?" *rips his hand from her hands & places it against her cheek*
"I will not tolerate treason in my castle!"A dark aura surrounds Miranda's body as Phobos begins to drain her of her life-force. Her eyes widen in fear & she wants to flee, but her body doesn't obey her orders. It's as if she was paralyzed from the neck down.
Miranda: "No, my prince--not treason! I'd never..." *her skin gets pale from the loss of life-force, she becomes so weak she can barely whisper* "Please, Father... Please don't kill me!"
Phobos:
"...!"He instantly removes his hand from her cheek & takes a step back. Miranda falls to the ground, breathing heavily.
Phobos:
"What did you call me?"Miranda: "F-fa-fa-father? Y-you asked me to help you t-to be a good pa-parent. So..."
Phobos:
"So now you like the idea of being my daughter?" *crosses his arms skeptically*
"You didn't seem so thrilled about the idea earlier. What made you change your mind?"Miranda: "Oh, I don't know." *pushes herself up into a sitting position* "The desire to live perhaps."
Phobos:
"I see... And so you thought showing fake interest in being my daughter would convince me to show you mercy?"Miranda: "No, my lord. I..."
Phobos:
"Ha! I caught you red-handed! You weren't sincere with the whole father act, now were you? Your calling me lord is all the proof I need to see through your lie."Miranda:
"But, but Father..."
Phobos:
"Enough!" *places his hand on the annihilator's head & uses the energy drained from Miranda to give the creature the memory of the deceased guard & a weak shapeshifting ability*
"I have no interest in watching your crying act or listening to your lies. You want to go to the ball, then go. I'm through with you." *looks at the annihilator*
"Your task remains unchanged. Take on your new form, & go fulfill your duty."The annihilator changes into an exact copy of the guard that was just slain by Phobos. He removes the chain from around Sniffer's neck & leaves at once.
Phobos (telepathy to the dog):
Go with him & obey his orders. He is your master now.Sniffer follows the guard.
[Guard & Sniffer: Exit to Western Barracks]
Phobos completely ignores Miranda as he walks away.
[Phobos: Exit to Throne Room]
Still weak & fatigued as if she just ran a three-mile marathon, Miranda barely manages to push herself into a standing position. She slowly heads out of the area.
[Miranda: Exit to Tailor Jink's Room]