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Post by Ancelas on Jul 27, 2022 14:27:07 GMT -5
With the threat of the kobolds ended for the moment, Vanya huffed and drifted over to one of the large mushrooms in the cave, her hands on her hips and a crinkle in her brow as she studied the fungi. She still felt frustrated with Alina - not mad, of course, just frustrated - and frustrated that the peaceful act of gathering mushrooms had been interrupted by a band of adorably hapless little reptiles. And frustrated that she wanted to help those creatures, but did not know exactly how.
"And so here I am," she muttered to herself, "examining fungi. Very productive, Vanya..."
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Post by CautionCat on Jul 27, 2022 18:21:24 GMT -5
Verdi had shared rations with the kobolds, and thought about how useful they could be. He wondered if Bones would have any interest in helping them... Surely they would find out, and maybe be able to help them. Turning back around, he noted Vanya had meandered off to the large mushrooms, her body language seemed to say she was... frustrated. He would make his way over, catching her mutterings but not quite making them out.
"Ah, are you alright? You um... You didn't breath any of that in, did you?"
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 27, 2022 19:31:29 GMT -5
Vanya jumped a little and stepped back. "Er... no. I was just... thinking." Vanya bit her lip, and then it all came rushing out in a low whisper.
"Can you believe Alina would just roll over like that? I understand accepting responsibility for her actions, and I suppose she does bend the rules of the Raven Queen a little, but for that judge to change the entire issue and talk to her as though... as though there were something wrong with her, as though she just IS something wrong, and not bothering to consider how much good she's done for the people of Nyanzaru..."
Vanya paused and took a deep breath. "If Alina, one of the best people I know, is being judged for being... wrong... than what would happen if people found out about... me?"
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Post by CautionCat on Jul 27, 2022 19:59:32 GMT -5
Verdi blinked, ears flicking up as Vanya rattled on about, well, what happened not even a few hours ago. Verdi was going to just... shrug it off since nothing bad happened, but Vanya was upset about the exchange. She had a point. A very good point.
Verdi wasn't very religious, aware of the gods, sure, but not actively following any. Even if Shagambi had interest in him... Well, that was very important, wasn't it? Did he have a duty to slay displacer beasts...? Now he was questioning about the sighting they saw the day before... Maybe he should have pursued that.
"Well, for one, that was... a celestial. They... are probably very lawful and have it in their hearts and mind to do what is... right." He flattened his lips some, not sure how to... approach this.
"Alina is... devout. Or suppose to be. She uh... broke whatever rules they had, but a word from the Raven Queen, through a raven, stopped that judgement."
He took a deep breath, and sighed, scratching the back of his head. "I don't think it would have been right to take her on, either. But umn... About you, though, well, if... anyone was out to get you, for... what you are, well... Umn... I'd defend you. M-maybe with more confidence than... now."
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 28, 2022 7:30:14 GMT -5
"That's sweet," Vanya said, with a brief flicker of a smile, "but still... if a celestial is ready to strike down a mortal with divine blood because they're 'wrong' somehow, than what hope does someone like me have? My heritage is far less pure."
Vanya wrapped her arms around herself and looked back at the mushroom. "And she just... accepted it. 'Oh, you say there's something wrong with me? Do you know how to fix it?' As though she were broken somehow, and she's not." She caught herself going into another tirade and forced herself to slow down and take a breath.
"I don't know, Verdi... I was caught off guard. I was prepared to argue that my friend was good at her job, not that she... deserved to live. You're not supposed to convince celestials that good people deserve to live. It's stupid."
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Post by CautionCat on Jul 28, 2022 8:53:17 GMT -5
Verdi just softly sighed. "I have no answers, I don't know why she was so quick to... Want to slay Alina. She said she was dangerous. Maybe... It would be a good idea to talk to her. She... Might just accept things she can't control."
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 28, 2022 9:01:25 GMT -5
"Mn. I know. And I know her situation is different than mine. I just... can't help it." She lowered her gaze and frowned. "I'm trying so hard to do good. To do right by the people around me. And to see someone who can do so much more be judged so harshly..."
Vanya trailed off and sighed, rubbing her upper arms through her sleeves.
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Post by CautionCat on Jul 28, 2022 9:34:51 GMT -5
Verdi rubbed the back of his head, then dropped his hand to his side. He took a soft breath, and took a step closer to Vanya.
"You will be fine. No one is going to judge you for who you are, as long as they don't know... I mean, I'm not judging you..." He smiled a little, and flexed his fingers, tail softly swaying.
"Do... You need a hug? You... Look like you might need one."
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 28, 2022 10:04:37 GMT -5
Vanya blinked and looked at Verdi. It was odd for him to offer a hug, but... well, she certainly wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Gift tiefling in the mouth? No, that seemed to imply something else entirely...
"...Yes, I suppose I do."
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Post by CautionCat on Jul 28, 2022 10:13:17 GMT -5
Verdi expected her to come and hug him, but instead he awkwardly stood there for a moment, before realizing she wasn't moving. So, face a little pink, he moved closer to hug her. His hug wasn't very strong, but she was nice to hug... So he gave her a little squeeze of reassurance, to make it more genuine rather than... As awkward as their other hugs had been.
"I wouldn't let it get to you. You'll just... Spiral if you do."
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 28, 2022 10:27:57 GMT -5
Still a little surprised, Vanya unfolded her arms and hugged Verdi, squeezing him a little when he squeezed her.
"Thank you," she said softly, feeling more calm. "I think you're right... I was spiraling a little..."
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Post by CautionCat on Jul 28, 2022 10:34:04 GMT -5
The hug lingered a little longer than one would, Vanya was soft, smelled nice, and had a mild warmth compared to Verdi's natural heat. "A little, yes. You... Get quite wound up with things. You're right, though. Alina shouldn't be so... Lax about her fate." After the one moment too long passed, he loosened his hug and leaned back, resting his hands on her shoulders.
"You were very passionate about defending her, I am sure she appreciates it."
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 28, 2022 10:47:04 GMT -5
Verdi drew back and Vanya watched him cocking her head to one side, studying him. A slight smile tugged her lips. "Thank you... for saying that. And the hug, and just... being here." Vanya bit her lower lip and turned to look at the mushroom.
"Those kobolds... what do you think about their plight...?"
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Post by CautionCat on Jul 28, 2022 10:52:09 GMT -5
Verdi's cheeks were a little more rosy than they usually were, and once Vanya changed the subject, he stopped staring at her and took his hands off her shoulders.
"Well, I would like to help them. They have been displaced from their home, and are scavaging for food. I want to see if Bones might... Want to re-home them. They'll eat anything... Jaggis are numerous, and would benefit New Haven I think."
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 28, 2022 10:56:31 GMT -5
Vanya nodded, shifting to unobtrusively stand a little closer to Verdi. "I think that's a good idea. I don't like hearing about creatures being forced from their homes... if there's something we could do to help them, I'd like to."
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