A "Theres an ultimatum coming, all right. Grab him." His last words were directed to a man at his right, who lunged forward and grabbed Ethan, dragging him away and getting a large gash from Astas knife- sending him skittering back. "He isnt part of this, Alex." She glared at her brother with a hatred so fierce, it was amazing he wasnt crumbling into dust.

Sorry I was out on a trip))

Ethan had turned a bit to gaze at the ment to his left when "grab him" happened. He threw his head back onto what he assumed was the man's chin, nose or throat. Either would be helpful but the knife was quickly stripped off his hands and he flailed a little, grumbling at the cleithrophobic feeling as he ended up face first on the ground with a knee on his back.

A "Then he wont matter, will he?" Asta shrugged. "Its easier for you if he doesnt go missing. He's better as bargaining chip to their leader. Anyway, get on with it, wheres my ultimatum?" Alex shrugged and snapped his fingers. Castor, in chains, stumbled into the clearing beside Alex. Ethan got Dragged beside him. And a small group of five people varying from what looked like ages 18-7. She blinked a few times as she stared at the group. All had green eyes, just like Alexanders. The eldest blonde, the two middle children with dark brunette hair and very similiar features. The two youngest looked very similiar to Asta, with the exception of their eyes. (Fehk this is a lot of siblings to explain)

Ethan was not a fan of being treated like an object. Someone touched his hair, he turned to bite whoever was closest to him. Earning a stern slap to the back of his head. He murmured some French before he was kicked in the back of the knee to get him down. He glanced at Castor. Is Zeus hurt like that too? His heart sank, as did his expression as he glanced at the dragon.

She forced herself to stare at the group of people. "You wouldnt. Not them." She stared at him in shock, back and forth between them. There was a distinct familial resemblence in all their faces- proud, fine features and high cheekbones. Alex didnt seem to be able to look at the group of children. A "I would. Now, for your choices. Number one, we can get rid of the boy and his dragon, everyone and thing else walks free." Alex kicked Ethan disdainfully, making Asta curl her fingers around her knife. A "Two, we keep your dragon. He'll be put to work and wrung out until he has no use." Castor seemed numb, laying down obediently. A "Three. We get rid of what you tried to leave behind." The group looked solemn, hands tied behind their backs and all on their knees, most cowering behind a maybe 17-18 year old blonde boy. "Or my life?" She said, nodding. "Sell my soul to the devil to keep everyone safe?" Alex shrugged with a grim smile. A "Revenge is sweet. If I were you id pick the expendable one." He gestured toward Ethan. A "Ill be gracious and give you... thirty seconds to decide. Time starts now."

Ethan was watching Alex stroll around, nearing him, his jaw clenched. Zeus? Oh I swear if he touches- He mumbled "bitch" loud enough he was sure Alex would hear it. He winced a little, rearranging himself. His ribs felt like they'd fall off or something. Ethan felt very helpless, watching the expressions wash over Asta's face. Had he the choice- and his hands to but be bound behind his back, he would've strangled this young man with everything he had. "I am not expendable." He muttered in an offended tone. Too early for this shit.

A "Hush, country-poke." Alex snarled. Asta did a wonderful job of keeping stoic and looking around her options. Her gaze kept straying to Ethan, so many times so, one might begin to wonder if she really was thinking about... One of the smaller children scooted forward, a six year old boy. He was trembling, head to toe, and the blonde boy tried to pull him back. He swallowed and directed his next words straight at Alexander. LB "Alex, I want you to know. That I think you are a big, fat, mean bully and you.. you stink." He nodded proudly and shuffled back into his siblings. Alex seemed a bit too stunned to respond, his mouth falling open slightly while his brain tried to formulate a valid response compared to that amazing argument. Asta cracked up. "Couldnt have said it better myself."

"I'm not coun- are you daft?" He gave Alex this confused expression like he was an idiot. Though he knew the answer it was more of a rhetorical question. He watched as a young boy stepped out, un confidently but bravely nonetheless. He snickered at the expression on Alex's face. Looking away and trying to cover it up.

Alex cleared his throat and tried to get over the pain of being accruately insulted by a six year old. A "times up." Asta nodded and sighed. "Well, I guess im in for a hell of a ride. Let the rest of them go, you have me." Almost immiediately, hands wrapped around her arms and brought her to her knees, binding her hands and ankles, after taking off her boots and snatching her knife. She winced. "Its a bit tight, innit?" And really, how much could I have hidden in my boots-" clattering of weapons falling out of both boots onto the ground into a decent heap. And a rock. A decent sized one. "Fuck, THATS what was in my boot? I thought it was the extendable-" she looked around when her options werent released. "Alex, you gave me your word. You have me." She looked around, panic starting to set in behind the glassy eyed mask she put on.

He winced from the even light laughter, damn those ribs. He watched as Asta gave herself in. "No! Asta-" He tried to lunge forward but he was quickly caught, someone grabbed his arms and hair and pulled him back, his head tipped slightly back and to the right with the weird grip on his hair. He smiled a little at the spirit she still had even with the context. It faded when he realized that Alex was a liar. He tried to stand up, someone kicked the same back leg as last time- which happened to be his left-. He grunted. "God DAMNIT thats the same leg! Get some diversity, fuck.." He winced, kneeling again.