"I don't think so, haven't given him a chance to talk or anything."

"Hm."

"How much do you trust Hughes?"

"Uh. I don't think he'll put the military over us?"

"All right." She goes to the woman. "Hello. My name is El. I'm Bellona's sister. In a little bit, she's going to take you to a man named Maes Hughes. He'll be able to help you. All right?"

She nods, taking deep, sharp breaths.

"Hughes may ask you to lead him back here. I need that delayed for at least half an hour, without it seeming like you're delaying on purpose. Do you think you can do that?"

"Y-Yes."

El smiles. "Thank you. I also need you to say that the last time you saw him," she points at the man in the corner, "he said something about coming back for you in a few days, once his business in the north was done."

To both her and Bellona, "Bellona, you were walking past the building when you heard someone crying out. You came to investigate, found her, and brought her straight to Hughes. Can you both remember that?"

"Yeah," says Bellona.

The woman nods, looking more serious than hysterical, at least.

"Okay. I'm going to pick up some groceries, which you asked to get in your stead over the phone, and then meet you back at home."

"Okay."

"Thanks, El. For the groceries." She sounds teasing.

"Go on, then."

They exit, in the direction of Hughes. Slowly. There's newly healed injuries to consider, after all.

El waits patiently until they've gone, then goes over to crouch in front of the tied-up man.

He seems entertained, chuckling a bit. He's not trying to talk around the gag.

"You tried to hurt my sister," she says softly. "It didn't work, but I don't appreciate it."

Shrug.

"I've been spending the last day or so learning about decompositive alchemy. Do you know what that is?"

Head shake.

"In layman's terms, I'm going to turn you into dust so fine they won't be able to tell you from the dirt blowing in the street."

"Shall we begin?"

Theatrically wide eyes and a muffled noise are her only answer.

Then she'll start with the legs, and work her way up.

She gets muffled screaming!

Good. As long as it's not too loud.

If the neighbors might hear, she'll have to skip straight to the head.

Doesn't seem that loud, no. The building's very well chosen as a murder site. Good insulation.