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( cw; drug use—marijuana )[ The woman's voice that scrapes through the network's channel keeps low and calm, with a vocal fry that is uttered in a distinctly English accent. ]
The dragon of recent arrival, whom I believe to be named Zhaera, wishes nothing to do with us, and so I would suggest leaving her be. Her only concern seems to be in mothering, and the power she wields would be no small thing if she feels the need to defend her nest. Best not to invite her ire when she has yet any cause to make of herself a monster.
She knows even less than we do about her sudden appearance. Perhaps if she did, she would not be so willing to keep to her singular cause.
I should also think that the serpents deserve no ill will en masse unless they become an immediate threat. I'm of no mind to make demands, but perhaps they can be herded into the woods where they can better find the prey they likely crave. A task I am willing to take on should any with the skill wish to assist.
Aurora has given us few choices aside from what we do with these trials presented.
[ The pause that follows is not from hesitation, but a drag that includes a whispered exhale of smoke that remains unseen on the network. Should anyone happen upon where she's seated on a bench near the café and bookstore, Vanessa—in all of her black-laced glory—is smoking a joint.
The rasp softens with her murmur. ]
We are all outsiders, after all.
no subject
[ Despite what some vampires like to think, she's no one's mother.
But why are there so many children around... ]
You seem to lack fear in volunteering for such ventures, but is there cause for it, or is this the boldness of youth? Do you have a skill to offer? I don't wish to use children as bait for these serpents.
no subject
[It's spoken rather matter of factly. Regardless, she intends to continue to try and let the dragon know that she's friendly. That she means no harm, and wishes to help. No one can change her mind otherwise. (She knows all too well what it is to be alone. And to have choice taken from you. Zhaera hadn’t asked to be brought here. The least she can do is try and help.
She has no need for another mother. She only had the one, only needed the one, and Cassandra feels no need to ever replace her. (The thought of anyone else mothering her honestly turns her stomach; courtesy of Delilah. The woman’s definition of motherly is twisted and wrong. Particularly since she’d helped murder Cassandra’s mother, and most of her family.) She’s been surviving on her own for some time now, in her own personal hell.
Dragons and snakes are a vast improvement.]
Snakes aren’t the worst thing in the world. This or any other. Even ones as large as these. And I think it’s necessary. If I wish to try and make an attempt to keep the lot of them from being slaughtered wholesale, then I certainly can’t avoid the danger that entails, can I?
[Nor would it be her first experience with danger. At least this is by her choice.]
As far as skills; speed, stealth, the ability to fit somewhere small in case an expedient retreat is necessary. I doubt that these snakes speak a language, let alone the particular dialects the Serpentfolk in my world speak, but it would be something to try, as a last resort. The ability to fight, if need be.
[Not her first choice, of course, but she can. Her mother had made certain of that.]
Perhaps there’s some way to incapacitate them. Although moving their unconscious bodies would prove difficult. It might be better to try and lead them elsewhere under their own power. At least some of them. [She can’t help the brief flicker of humour in her voice.] Attempting to haul unconscious snake bodies through the streets en masse seems as though it’d make unnecessary work for us.
no subject
You seem capable for how young you sound, but I'm uncertain how much you can contribute in this work. ...Beyond acting as bait, which as I said, I am not entirely comfortable with.
How much battle have you experienced?
no subject
[Look, she doesn't know anything about this woman but that doesn't matter. Despite how she might pretend otherwise, has had to pretend otherwise, she still cares. The Briarwoods haven't managed to stamp that out of her. She just hides it. Refuses to give them more ammunition to use against her.]
If it's my choice, if I'm walking into acting as bait with my eyes open and well aware of all of the risks, does that make a difference? I choose this. I choose to help. I choose to try. I choose to do something.
[She has had to fight for every scrap of agency she could get, since her family was murdered. Since Percy had abandoned her to die in the snow. She has very little choice, in the world she left behind. Very little control. She refuses to let this place be the same.
To answer her question, though...] Enough. I've seen enough.
no subject
Your determination is...commendable.
[ She takes a measured breath, her words carefully chosen. Just as carefully, she ignores the girl's inquiry into Vanessa's own welfare.
Everything hurts. ]
Choice, agency... these are precious things, often undervalued until they're stripped away.
[ There's a hint of something darker in her tone, speaking of personal experience. ]
If you truly wish to proceed, I won't stand in your way. But know this: the consequences of such choices often reach far beyond what we can foresee. Are you prepared for that burden?