Muscle Reading
Euden: Hmm? That voice from behind cover... Wasn't that—
Elisanne: Celliera, that is enough already! Now please put your hands down.
Celliera: Don't move, Elisanne. This will end it. I'll ease your suffering in an instant. Haaaaah!
Elisanne: WAAAAAAAAH!
Euden: What are you two doing?!
Celliera: Ah, Euden! Have you also come for one of my massages?
Elisanne: It was most terrifically painful, but definitely worked wonders. Thank you, Celliera. My training fatigue has vanished.
Euden: Wait, you give massages?
Celliera: By the way, Elisanne, your attacks have a tendency to be slightly off center from time to time, yes?
Elisanne: How do you know that?
Celliera: I could tell when I was massaging you. The balance of your muscles is off between the two sides. It shouldn't impact your overall combat readiness, but a bit of intensive training might remedy the imbalance.
Elisanne: I see. That's helpful advice.
Euden: You picked up on her weak point just by touching her muscles?
Celliera: Muscles tell much about a person— lifestyle, mental state, and the like. For example, Elisanne has recently become mindful of overeating, and has ramped up her abdominal regimen.
Elisanne: Wh-what?!
Celliera: And further, she has noted that the extra muscle mass has made her clothes fit tighter than she'd like.
Elisanne: WHAAAT?!
Celliera: And she's quite embarrassed about that. Particularly when she's around you.
Elisanne: STOOOOP! Don't say anything else!
Euden: I'm still not sure I follow, but, um... I'll take your word for it.
Elisanne: I can't believe she read me that well just from touching me. Ugh. Wait. If I could use that ability of hers, I just might be able to solve our little problem... Celliera? I need your help. Might you give me a hand?
Celliera: That's the man you spoke of, yes?
Elisanne: Indeed. He's with a gang of thieves, but without sufficient evidence to pin them down, they're running free.
Euden: The one who keeps lying and pretending not to know anything?
Elisanne: Right. Which is why I want Celliera to expose his lies and shine the light of day on his misdeeds. I'd also be grateful if you could get him to divulge the whereabouts of his associates.
Celliera: Say no more.
Elisanne: We'll be on standby at a remote location.
Celliera: Ho there, young man! You look strong. Care to arm wrestle?
Man: The heck ya talkin' about, lady? Buzz off!
Celliera: Are you certain? If you beat me, I'll do anything you tell me to.
Man: Even mow my lawn?! ...Yeah, all right. But no take-backs if ya don't wanna do what I say!
Celliera: You're sure singing a different tune now. Very well. Ready...and...GO!
Man: ...Hrrk! You ain't messin' around here!
Celliera: Likewise! You certainly live up to your reputation as a member of a rowdy band of thieves, don't you?!
Man: Hey, ya got the wrong idea about me. I'm a well-adjusted citizen!
Celliera: LIAR! Now then! Everyone gets nervous when they lie—and when they get nervous, their muscles stiffen up. When I mentioned the band of thieves, your arm muscles stiffened for just an instant.
Man: Like fun they did!
Celliera: Then I suppose it wasn't you and your associates who broke into that aristocrat's manor some days back? And the attack on the mail wagon last month? Or the muggings out on the highway?
Man: I got no idea what you're on about.
Celliera: Hmm... Perhaps those weren't ALL your doing after all... You really don't seem to know anything about the mail-wagon incident...
Man: You're creepin' me out, lady!
Celliera: Stop! There's no running away! I'm not letting your hand go!
Man: OWWWWW! Your grip's like freakin' iron!
Celliera: Give in! You're one of those dirty thieves and everyone knows it! If you cooperate and tell us where the others are, I'll ensure you're treated well.
Man: OWWWW! I ain't tellin' ya a damn thing, lady! And if ya don't let go of me, you're in for a world of pain!
Celliera: Still resisting, eh? I'm almost impressed. If that's how it's going to be, then I'll just have to try another approach!
Elisanne: She dragged him behind the shop...
Man's Voice: Lemme go... Hey! H-hey, wait! No way! Oh, ya gotta be kiddin' me! Stop! Stooop! STOOO—EEEEYAAAGH!
Euden: Ah, there they are. Goodness, but he looks well worked-over.
Man: *mumble*
Celliera: Something to say, mmm?
Man: Eeek! I...I'm sorry!
Celliera: I believe I told you to say "ma'am" when you're talking, did I not?
Man: F-forgive me, ma'am! I'm a member of the band of thieves, ma'am! I'll tell you all of my misdeeds, ma'am! AND I'll lead you to my friends, ma'am! S-so please f-f-forgive me, m-ma'am!
Elisanne: Wow. He just spilled everything.
Euden: What in the world did you do to him, Celliera?
Celliera: I should think it's obvious. I just gave him one of my little massages!
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