A bit of both-not that it goes well.

Her own retort vas not verbal, or even physical-instead, I just felt a lance of pure pain driven through me-far worse than anything I've felt since I got the new bod. Given what she is, probably because she attacked my mind directly-instead of trying to hew through my poorly differentiated flesh. I recoil on reflex-exactly what she wants, no time wasted as she falls to the ground, only to kip up and start running in the well chosen direction of 'away from me'. Unfortunately, I am surrounded by my spawn who can note my pain and would probably prefer to stay on my better side-so she soon finds herself mobbed by the least of my children, essentially dogpiled until I recover enough to grab her again from the group.

To make sure there won't be a repeat of that again, Assimilate sees her secured to my form-and surprisingly, finally gaining a level there. Huh-guess all the unresisting targets I'd used on weren't enough to flex that skill's practice before. Of course, she seems to fail to grasp exactly what happened as she goes for the same trick again. This time, I'm more prepared, so the feeling of pain arouses my ire. Like a kid throwing a tantrum with a ragdoll, there's just me slamming her against the ground by her fused leg to break her concentration and make her stop-the physical shared pain bothering me much less than the mental pain.

Her assaults eventually case, and thus does mine once I realize. Dangling her up, I'm glad to realize she's still alive-was worried I might have overdone it. Really badly bruised, but breathing. After a moment, she opened her eyes and put on a defiant sneer. "I'll die before I talk." "Perhaps. But it won't be because I kill you. Here, let me show you something." I carry her deeper into my tangle to witness the swollen form of Ichika. "This is someone who tried-and failed-to kill me twice. I prefer not to kill those who transgress against me."

As a show of faith, a rush of healing energy courses through the psychic, patching her up like the rough treatment hadn't happened. "However, that is not to be confused for me being a bleeding heart. I ultimately gave her a choice, and made a decision. She chose to serve me instead of ****-begged for it, in fact. And I allow her to continue because she is useful-in her own way. I have no use for spies-but I do for double agents. So: Live or die, make your choice."