Intense Struggle! (Round 7 - The Database)

Originally posted on MSPA by Ixcalibur.

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Aph's eyes narrowed. Her hand gripped hard against the cold sword. Her heart stopped and she stood still. Silent. Not even breathing. Then she relaxed and breathed out. A grimace of pain crossed her face. Who could blame him for feeling the way he did? What had she done for him. Nothing. She'd tried to protect him from a man who wasn't attacking him. Aph hated herself. She was so stupid. She'd show him, show him that she wasn't some kind of hapless liability. She'd prove she wasn't a burden. That she could be useful, that she could be someone you'd want to have around. Then he'd love her. He'd love her just as much as she loved him. 'So... first things first' she thought. 'Establish what's happening and what it is that he might want.' She was suddenly aware of the man stood behind her and turned slightly so that she faced them both, though carefully making sure she faced her love more than this other guy.
"So, erm... what exactly is going on around here?" Aph asks. "I get the impression that The Monitor told us, but I... got distracted."