[ He disappears in that whirl of blinding lights and she's caught off guard - Just for a moment. She's quick to whirl around at the sound of him behind her the dagger quickly drawn with narrowed eyes. ]

[ Her mouth a tense line. ]

If I wanted you dead you would be.

[ She cuts in immediately, voice harsh. The metallic tone of it rings in her ears - as it so often does in moments where her voice isn't measured. He's lucky. A different Nebula wouldn't even offer that - he'd be dead. Neck snapped before he got another word out. ]

[ Here's the secondary thing: Nebula's lived in pain for over twenty years. The idea she couldn't isn't even a thought. It's never been one, because this is her existence - Punishment for being weak. For what she's done. Sure, she can call it fanciful words. But the truth is it's a part of this body and that means she has no escape - has never thought there was ever a chance. ]

You talk a lot about something you have no damned idea what you are talking about.

[ She snatches up the spear with one hand and turns away. ]

Show up in my face again and I'll gut you like a fish.