[ the air of playfulness that clings to him like static puts manuela into considerable ease, making the upward turn of the corner of her lips feel second-nature. she tries not to get too swept up in it; while it helps calm the frayed nerves the general bloodthirstiness hanging thick in the air of this underground fight club, the last thing she needs to do is drop her guard completely.

after all, he had been kind enough to help her once. she never can tell when such kindness will end. ]

Next you'll be saying you've had much worse, right?

[ she takes his inaction as permission to inspect, reaching across the table to gently take one of his hands in hers. ]

Consider this repayment. I was the one who threw you into that lion's den. The least I can do is make sure you walk away from it in the best shape possible.

[ she turns his hand over in hers, letting her other hand come to rest its fingertips lightly against his palm. before she even tries anything, she looks up to meet his eyes, gauging his expression. ]

You aren't resistant to magic, are you?

[ she's asking with regards to both ways. ]