[ There's a calm smile on Bei Dou's face, although a the observant person might detect a sinister glint in his eye, and there is a slight tone of sarcasm in his voice. ]

I thought that I was done with this place, but it seems I was mistaken. How perfectly wonderful, exactly what I wished for.

Now, who would like to offer themselves up as feed to my snakes?

[ That means "I'm a bit pissed off so let me kill you a little" but perhaps that could be guessed. Of course, he doesn't expect anyone to offer themselves up wilingly by that's not a problem. ]

(Marie seems to be standing in the middle of her shop by herself and staring down at a wooden weapon in her hands. She had been practicing all day and now that it was growing dark - she wondered when this would start to feel natural or even come to her without any thought, without having to constantly reposition her hands or her arms or even her feet. Then her eyes glance over to a small stack of books sitting on a table in the back corner and she remembers that she needs to also start reading more, that it was supposed to help her. "No, that could wait a few more minutes - just once more."

This will be the time she doesn't need to fix a mistake. "But - what is I am trying to do, again?"

She finds herself glancing back at the wooden weapon in her hand.

"NO."

"I have to do this and do this right."

"I have to be able to do this.")

....

(She quickly re-positions herself in a defensive stance but then sighs. Her feet feel...well, it feels wrong and she glances down to see they are only slightly off.)

Scheisse.

(Then she tries to adjust them - only taking a moment before it felt more comfortable.) This is...no, this can't be right... is it?