niko really LIGHTS UP like this. the literal push and shove that had her eyes lit up with a fury and an emotion that had seemed to otherwise leave her listless, lately. like she couldn't pick up what leo had put down, not for lack of talent but because she simply had a different tool set. how frustrating, to be so talented, and know that you were held to a standstill, simply because, well, the mood swings of the one in charge.
and she's been trying to help! keep him on track, in the mood, going to the studio. but his swings take him out and off and on a much more appealing adventure with alice, who finds it oh so hard to turn down that fun time. but then, oh, add in the fact that now when she's staring down THE VIPER, that she's ready to strike, that she's raging, shoving, pushing, alive! "why would i want you to be afraid of me?" the delight, it sings within her voice. "you're so much more fun here with me!"
destroy me, oh, rip me to pieces~ oh, she's heard romantic things like that from her before, she loved the feeling of being so nestled into her brain. "don't be shocked when you're the one throwing fists first, you little brat-" the spit, the blood, her lips split into a grin. she's fast, pushing her again, a hand around her wrist to twist it back. "don't MAKE this worse when you need to use this later~ unlike you, i don't care if i appear on stage with a black eye~"