Nina's eyes found themselves locked with Herzsprung's. In contrast to most, this one sought the confrontation and did not shy away from it. Enjoying it openly. As fist hits table and Traudel moved away, Herzsprung's eye followed her reluctantly for a short moment. This meant to stop the staring contest with a Corsair, after all! The expression alone said it all though, this was the last piece the old trout wanted. Slowly raising her chin, malformed smile or sneer growing bigger. Licking her lips as the situation began to escalate even more and focus shifted back to the redhead.
"Such wonderful fire, ja! Delicious passion for bloodshed. I can smell your smoldering defiance has turned into blazing desire to eviscerate me!" A slow moan, eye closing halfway. "... exhilarating ..." Instead of getting up, drawing her weapon or even calling in soldiers the admiral remains seated. Leaning back and gently tossing the device she used to read and review reports and recordings onto the table. It collides with her own plate, clanking a little.
Traudel keeps her distance, watching on in sheer shock and inability to do anything worthwhile. Her own hand stopping halfway towards going for her sidearm. "You go out there, you die. You strike me down, you will die and she'll face the consequences of this entire farce all alone. Your temper is a desirable attribute, the lack of control tied to it is not. But you have shown me what i wanted to see. Be it for the Oberleutnant or your own sake, you struggled to restrain what always wishes to be unleashed as quickly as possible. We can work with that... "
Confusion spreads across Traudel's face, hand slowly creating more distance to her holster again. "Bad for me is of no relevance. I am but one of many, my suffering won't change a single bit of this dilemma both of you are in. If anything it'll only make it so much worse. So - once more - make good on your word. You wish to protect her? Your solution sits right here. I have a use for you, Crimson Queen. You showed me there slumbers a beast within, just as i wanted you to. Now prove it is more than a rabid cur and knows when to back down. Such is expected from regal predators, after all. Mind and might in one."
