A Threat Made in Stone

Rachel steps forward, her voice filled with determination. "This is your final warning. Let go of Alice, or you'll regret it.”

The women scoff again, their grips on Alice's arms only tightening further. "Oh, really now? How exactly are you going to make us regret it?"

Kairy held out an arm, the bones in her hand rearranging with sickening crunches before a long blade made of gemstone shot out of what was once her wrist, the ruby glistening under the café's lights.

"This is how," she taunted.

The women glance at the blade, their smug expressions faltering for a brief moment. "That's...impressive," one of the women muses, a hint of unease in her voice.

The other woman keeps a firm grip on Alice, but her eyes betray a hint of wariness. "You think a little gem blade can stop us?”

Kairy smirks, her blade glinting with a lethal edge. "Oh, sweetheart," she coos, her voice dripping with menace. "This isn't just a little gem blade. It's a weapon that's designed to cut through the strongest of metals. Compared to what this thing can do, the toughness of your body is like butter.”

The women's grips on Alice's arms loosen slightly, their confidence wavering. "You...you're bluffing," one of them stammers, trying to keep up a facade of bravado.

Kairy smiles, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Want to find out, sweetie?”

The women exchange uneasy glances, realizing that Kairy might not be bluffing. "You wouldn't dare," one of them hisses.

Kairy's smile widens, her blade glinting menacingly. "Oh, wouldn't I?" she purrs. "Try me, sweetheart.”

The women each pulled out a pistol and fired at Kairy, but she blocked the bullets using her gem blade, the bullets bouncing off of the ruby with pathetic clinks.

Kairy's smirk widens further as the bullets bounce off her blade harmlessly. "Cute," she taunts, her tone dripping with condescension. "But bullets won't work on me, sweetheart.”

The women's faces turn pale, their grips on their pistols trembling. "What... what are you?" one of them stammered, her voice tinged with fear.

Kairy steps closer, her blade poised menacingly. "I'm what happens when you push people too far," she replies, her tone cold and menacing. "I'm a force to be reckoned with. And you've just given me the perfect excuse to let loose.”

The women's eyes widen with fear, realizing they've bitten off more than they can chew. "We...we surrender," one of them mumbles, lowering her pistol fearfully.

The other woman reluctantly follows suit, loosening her grip on Alice. "Don't hurt us," she adds, her voice trembling slightly.

Kairy keeps her gem blade at the ready, still skeptical. "Smart choice," she muses, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Now, let go of Alice. Slowly.”

The women slowly release Alice, their grips loosening until she's free from their grasp. "There, we let her go. Happy now?" one of them asks, her voice quivering with fear.

Kairy lowers her gem blade, her gaze hardening. "Not quite. Apologize to her.”

The women exchange apprehensive glances, not wanting to anger Kairy further, but they reluctantly comply. "We...we're sorry," they mutter, their voices tinged with shame.

Kairy nods approvingly, her blade still glinting menacingly. "Good," she responds, her tone still stern. "Now, get lost. And don't even *think* about messing with us again.”

The women sheepishly back away, their confidence all but gone. "W-We won't," one of them stutters, still trembling with fear.

"We promise." The other adds, their voices wavering.

They then fled the café, leaving Alice and the others alone.

The group breathes a collective sigh of relief, their tension easing slightly.

Rachel turns to Kairy, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "That was incredible, Kairy. You were absolutely badass.”

Kairy gives a modest shrug, trying to downplay her badassery. "It was nothing."

Kinsey nudges her gently, a smile playing on her lips. "Nothing, my ass. You saved us back there."

Kairy chuckles, a hint of color creeping into her cheeks. "Alright, it was *something*.”

Kinsey smirks, playfully punching Kairy's arm. "You bet your ass it was. I mean, who else has a badass gem blade for a wrist?"

Rachel grins as well, joining in on the playful banter. "Seriously, that thing was impressive. I had no idea you were packing that kind of power."

She then turned her attention to Alice. "You good there, Al?”

Alice gives a weary nod, rubbing her wrists where the platinum women had gripped her. "I'm alright," she replies, her voice still laced with lingering tension.

Kinsey eyes Alice with concern, her playful banter giving way to worry. "You sure? Those platinum chicks weren't exactly gentle."

Alice manages a small smile, still massaging her wrists. "I'll be fine. Just a few bruises, nothing serious.”

Kinsey reaches out, gently taking one of Alice's hands in hers. "Let me see," she urges, her eyes filled with concern.

Alice reluctantly lets Kinsey examine her wrists, the small bruises already beginning to form across the mahogany expanse. "It's just a little sore, really," she reassures.

Kinsey runs a tender finger over the forming bruises, her expression a mixture of anger and concern. "Just a little sore? These bruises say otherwise," she mutters, her voice tinged with protectiveness.

Rachel winces sympathetically, stepping closer to examine the bruises as well. "Damn, those platinum women really didn't hold back, huh?”

"Yeah," Alice replies, wincing slightly as Kinsey continues to gently inspect her wrists. "They were pretty determined to take me with them."

Rachel frowns, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "Well, they picked the wrong group to mess with. Anyways, I don't feel comfortable here anymore.”

The group exchange solemn nods, the café's once comforting atmosphere now tainted by the recent encounter.

Kinsey releases Alice's wrists, her expression hardening. "Agreed. We need to get out of here, somewhere safe."

Kairy nods too, her gem blade retracting back into her wrist with a soft *snick*. "But where should we go? The platinum women might still be in the vicinity, waiting for another chance.”

"Good point," Kinsey agrees, her eyes scanning the café discreetly. "We can't just go back to our apartments or anything. They could very well be expecting that."

Rachel lets out a sigh, her expression thoughtful. "We need a place that's off the grid, somewhere they won't find us."

Alice rubs her wrists, her mind racing. "And preferably somewhere we can rest and regroup. We need a secure location.”

As the group mulls over their options, a thought suddenly strikes Kairy. "Wait, I might have an idea."

The rest of the group turns to Kairy, their attention piqued. "What is it?" Kinsey prompts, her eyes curious.

Kairy's face lights up with excitement, her idea taking shape. "I recently stumbled upon an abandoned research facility, hidden deep within the mountains. It's completely off the grid and virtually unchartered."

Rachel raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "And why haven't you told us about this hidden gem before?"

Kairy sheepishly rubs the back of her neck. "Uh, I sorta forgot. But! I can lead us there. It's the perfect place for us to regroup and lay low for a while.”

Kinsey's face brightens as well, the gears turning in her mind. "An abandoned research facility, huh? Sounds like the perfect hiding spot."

Alice nods in agreement, her expression hopeful. "And if it's as hidden as you say, the platinum women won't have any way of tracking us there.”

Kairy grins, confidence radiating from her. "Exactly! I've scouted the area extensively and the place is heavily shielded. No signals in or out, no surveillance. We'll be completely off the grid."

Rachel's eyes light up with a mixture of excitement and relief. "Okay, I'm sold. Lead the way, Kairy."

Kairy's smile widens, her gem blade shimmering in anticipation. "You got it! Let's get moving. Follow me.”