Aster's upper body was dangling from Naeku's grip as the latter pulled her up by the pig tails. She moaned and panted softly from pain and discomfort, but didn't struggle. "H-How… How can I prove myself…?" she whispered, seemingly ready to be at Naeku's mercy.
Naeku scoffed as her eyes scanned Aster's face, even using her newly-gained omnisense to look at the eyes behind the blindfold. Erik did the same, but all either of them found was meek acceptance. One glance at Naeku's face then told him she wasn't happy about that.
"Jeez…" she muttered, her scowl a mix between anger and pity. "You used to have so much fire, Aster. Part of the reason I wanted to be friends with you was your confidence and extroverted nature. I can't even remember the number of parties you dragged me to! Until you told me about Dawit, I never thought you were the type to settle down! Yet, now you've become this affected by his death?"
