Realising she was going to be more of a challenge than he'd first thought and amused by her outburst, his grin continued, relishing the shocked expression she'd worn briefly. Assuming that she was wondering how he knew and delighting in having the upper hand, being more than a little partial to playing mind games, he decided to voice his genuine question on the matter. Commenting condescendingly 'And your 'prerogative' is to pick the brainless oaf of the group?!', noticing her eyes flash dangerously at the insult.
Before he added 'Or is that the whole point?! Choose the moron so you have greater control over him?', watching her physically tense for a few seconds. Feeling her temper flare at his slights against Raphael, Ella couldn't help but clench her fists briefly, all fear of the mutant holding her captive temporarily quelled. Retorting hotly 'You don't know the first thing about him besides his temper, and you know NOTHING about me!', his voice slithered over her as quickly his tail had.
As he replied 'True, what I need to know about him could fit into a thimble! But you're mistaken about the last part, I know YOU far better than you think!'. Both the statement and the way he said it made Ella's blood run icily cold, making her fear re-emerge in force, rallying her remaining courage she replied sarcastically 'And how's that?'. Dark Don smelled the adrenaline in the air and smiled to himself at how she fought not to show it before giving her a decidedly evil look and slowly answering 'That would be telling.'.
Unconsciously shivering as he fixed her with a sinister smile like a hyena eyeing up its prey, Ella redoubled her efforts to stand her ground. Gritting her teeth she said in a low tone 'Yes. Or. No?!', watching as his expression changed back to usual look of condescension, for which she was unexpectedly grateful. Abruptly he responded casually with a wave of his free hand 'Fine, we'll do it your way!', a mixture of disbelief and relief rushing over her as he released his hold.
When she still hadn't made a move towards him after a few moments, he used his tail to ensnare her left forearm instead, slowly pulling it back to him and her with it. Saying in a saccharine sweet tone 'Come now, I don't bite!', smiling widely again, enjoying her trying to fight to stay away from him. 'Enough! Let go!' she said finally, adding 'And cut the psycho intimidation crap out, it's just annoying!', making him respond in mock surprise 'Is it?'.
Ella gave him a flat stare and felt the pressure around her wrist loosen as he slowly withdrew his tail again, still grinning smugly at her. Taking the last hesitant steps toward his left side, deliberately ignoring his gaze, she knelt just before the crimson pool. Opening the pouch strapped to her thigh, she dug through it to retrieve a roll of clean bandage linen, a tube of antiseptic cream, a small packet of moist wipes and a two thick long cotton wool pads, putting them on her lap.
She focused intently on what she was doing trying to ignore the feel of his intense gaze on her, it literally made her feel like a bug under a microscope ready for dissection. That, and he was clearly getting off on how uncomfortable the close proximity to him made her, in some ways he was by far the creepiest out of the four of them. She distracted herself not for the first time since the fall, with thoughts of Raphael and the others wondering and hoping they were okay, before she heard Dark Don speak again.
'Aren't we well prepared?!' he said in his usual sarcastic tone, as she smeared antiseptic cream on one of the pads, making her pause for a few seconds. Quickly returning her attention to smearing cream on a second pad, she responded curtly 'It makes sense to be, when you're freerunning!'. Hearing her reply Dark Don couldn't resist dropping another hint at what he knew about her personal life and said in a casual tone 'Ahh of course. And, I have to say, your skills are quite impressive...'.
Watching as she stiffened slightly in surprise, before he finished '...For a human!', she snorted very slightly in contempt at the backhanded compliment. Before retorting sarcastically 'And here I thought you were actually going to be nice for a change. Silly me!'. His lips quirked at the statement as he agreed 'Indeed, silly you.', still eyeing her intently as she opened the small packet of moist wipes. She took a couple out before shutting it and putting it back in her pouch, his eyes abruptly switching to his free hand.
He had it resting on his good leg as she took it, turning it palm up and saying 'Here, make yourself useful and hold this...DON'T drop it!', his gaze flitted back to her face after she placed one of the smeared pads into his hand. Then to his side as she gingerly pulled his other bloodied hand away from the wound, taking in the brief sensation of soft warmth. The detached part of his mind also noted how much smaller her hand was in comparison to his own, as she stuck the moist wipes in it.
Then he heard her say 'Just so you know, this is probably going to hurt!' as she took the pad from his upturned hand, and couldn't help but chuckle slightly. The sound earned him a slightly irritated look as she asked shortly 'What's so funny?!', making him reply condescendingly 'Such consideration is heartwarming!'. He wore a small amused smile when she glared at him, retorting in a sharp tone 'Why do you always have to be such a jerk?!', and just half shrugged.
Replying casually 'It's a gift!', and watching as she rolled her eyes in irritation, his smile vanished abruptly as she pressed both the pad she'd held and the one he'd had firmly into his side, horizontally. His eyes shifted quickly down to look at the wound, hissing in pain as he grit his teeth, then back to her as she said 'Told you it might hurt!'. Watching as she studiously avoided his gaze and finished 'Use the wipes I gave you.', nodding to his bloodied hand, briefly switching his attention as he did so.