"Not beautiful." Snow says, matter-of-factly. "Too much muscle. too much wolf. You are though." She neglects to mention exactly who she's talking to though.
-------------------------------------------------------
Seeing Thanara grievously wounded riles Snow to instant anger and her gaze hones in on the barghest's throat. She drops to the ground and then surges upwards, her jaws latching onto Malfeshgor's throat and tearing sideways with a mighty wrench of her head, sending a spray of blood arcing across the room to splatter across the candles, sizzle in the firepit and paint a new pattern across Lisa's breastplate.
Thanara shocks the demon once more, then Snow rips it open with her claws! Pushed past the limits of its fiendish endurance, the monstrous Malfeshnekor falls!
Thanara continues to scurry away from the beast when her last spell doesn’t drop it, ultimately curling into a ball in a corner by the doorway. Her ribs are rapidly rising and falling as she panic breaths, and her whole body is trembling.
Lisavet winces as the demon's blood splatters over her, but she's more concerned with Thanara's well-being. She walks over to the sorceress and kneels, wrapping her arms around her. "Hey. It's okay. It's over. It's dead now. You're safe."
Lisavet can feel Thanara’s whole body trembling, and the sorceress winces at the initial touch. As Lisavet tries to calm her down, Thanara eventually braves a slight peak over the priestesses shoulder, and can see Snow looming over the dead goblin god’s body.
Lisavet can feel Thanara’s arms slip around her for support as she shakily stands, and her face is buried in the crook of Lisavet’s neck and shoulder. ”Thank you. I’d be dead right now if you hadn’t healed me.”
In the back of her mind, another voice seems to speak out. ”I will protect you.”
She pulls away, leaving Lisavet’s shoulder moist with her warm tears, and looks at everyone and asks wearily ”Can…can we go home now?”
Snow is not the sharpest tool in the emotional shed, but there are some things she does understand on an instinctive level- especially when it comes to pack. She shares a significant look with Shakelu and then approaches the hugging women.
Thanara finds a damp nose pushing into her palm and looks down to find a familiar white puppy looking back at the with large, dark eyes. Ghost Puppy yips in approval and nudges Thanara's leg before chasing her own tail in an attempt to get a laugh out of the sorceress.
Thanara looks down and spots Snow in her puppy form. And, on cue she lets out a slight tear-filled giggle. Even now she’s still worried about our feelings.
She squats down and wraps her arms around the white puppy. She then says ”Can you turn back? I want to give you a proper hug too,” as she runs her fingers through Snow’s fur.
Snow gives a whuffling yip and then rises along with Thanara, and keeps rising when the sorceress stops until she's standing, human once more, and still encircled in the sorceress's arms. Snow looks down and wraps her own powerful arms around Thanara, before resting her chin on top of Thanara's blonde head.
She waits like that, like a warm stone statue until Thanara lets go.
"Better?" The shifter asks, before turning to Shalelu who has been busily collecting everything of value from the barghest's prison. "Ready? Let's go."
Thanara remains in Snow’s embrace for several long seconds, a slight shiver running over her body, before eventually pulling away and having the faintest hint of a blush. ”Yeah, let’s go,” she adds before shifting her outfit to a new dress.
The entourage eventually makes it back to town, with maybe an hour to spare before nightfall. Fortunately, the garrison is close to the northern gate, so they are able to escort the prisoners there before too big of a crowd gathers, though onlookers do start muttering and whispering.
Thanara gives a report to Sheriff Hemlock and Mayor Deverin, explaining everything. She includes Orik’s involvement, and how he reliably helped them arrest Nualia in the end, pushing for leniency and no arrest for him.
When the four women leave the garrison, a sizable crowd was gathering. Thanara looks to the others and asks ”Well, what now? I don’t know about you guys, but I could use a drink.”
A sensitive nose twitches and Snow gives Thanara a long look behind the sorceress's back as they proceed out of the lower levels. She doesn't say anything though and whatever she's thinking seems to be pushed from her mind quite comprehensively when the group rejoins Orik and Nualia.
----------------------------------
The closer the group has come to Sandpoint, the worse Snow's mood has become and by the time Nualia is confined in the garrison the tension is holding her as stiff as ever. It's a startling contrast to the last couple of days in the woods, where the shifter has been startling at ease - in her element.
Thanara's question makes her frown and her mouth opens, pauses, and then shuts with a snap.
"Drink good." She says. "People... will try."
It appears that Snow's resolution to be better is starting now.
Thanara nods at Snow and the others that wish to join them, then starts heading south. She refuses to answer the multitude of questions, insisting the Mayor or Sheriff would make the first formal statement. She considers heading to the Rusty Dragon, but figured that Ameiko wouldn’t be up to the emotional situation and crowd. Instead, she turns for the Hagfish.
Once inside, she slips into a booth and orders a bowl of chowder and mug of mead. While she waits for the order, she sighs and says ”I’m glad that’s over. I hope things can return to something resembling peaceful…”
"Won't." Snow says, having held up a mute pair of fingers to copy Thanara's order. "Lia not dead. Big news. Much talk. Long time." It is obvious that she doesn't relish that idea. "People impressed. Will like you." She adds, nodding to Thanara. "Will be hero."
She seems to take it for granted that her own contribution will be ignored, there is plenty of evidence to back that view up after-all.
Shortly after the food arrives an extra person arrives at the booth as well, Savah Bevaniky.
"Congratulations ladies!" She says, offering a smile to everyone in the booth. "Saw you coming in, looks like you had quite the adventure! Nice steel you've got there Priestess Ambra. If you want to get it fitted to you then do come by my shop. I'll give you a discount as a thanks for everything you've done. But if y'all wouldn't mind I'd like a word with Thanara."
She leads Thanara outside and around the corner into the small pen beside the Hagfish which keeps the inn's elderly goat and also takes them out of easy sight of the street.
"Look... Thanara. I wanted to say... I'm sorry. I got frustrated last time we saw each other and took things too far. I've been feeling terrible about it the last few days so I made you something to say sorry."
Savah puts a wrapped parcel in Thanara's hands which proves to contain a matching pair of silver bracelets. They are finely engraved and have a small catch and hinge so that they can fit snugly against Thanara's wrists.
The goblins cheer your departure, grateful that you have dealt with the “traitorous longshanks.” They sing loud songs of goblin superiority as you depart.
Shalelu bids farewell before you make it back to town. ”It was fun kicking ass with you, but I’ve got other duties to attend to. See you around, ladies.”
Back in Sandpoint, Sheriff Hemlock swiftly incarcerates Nualia and her wizard accomplice, named Lyrie, until a trial can be held. Thanks to your testimony, Orik is released on his own recognizance.
”I appreciate you putting in a good word,” he says. ”Maybe I’ll stick around town for a bit. Get to know it a little better.”
In any case, Sandpoint is safe once again! You’ve earned the chance for some rest and relaxation...
Thanara thanked Shalelu for her help and told her ”If you ever need anything that I can help you with, look me up. I owe you for, well, all this.”
__________
Thanara blushes as Savah makes her presence known at the table. When she asks to speak to her privately, she stammers ”Oh…yeah…about my f-father’s order. Sure.”
She then follows the blacksmith around to the goat pen and leans against the wall of the Hagfish as she listens to Savah make her apology. She rolled the bracelets around in her hands as she says quietly ”They are pretty. But look, I don’t like being hit. And if you ever do that again, then whatever this is…it is over. I already have to get minor bruises and marks from my father’s abuse healed away discreetly as it is. I won’t tolerate having marks put on me from another person too. I don’t have a choice with him.”
Savah's face falls and then darkens, although she manages to keep her voice down.
"Your father... s+&~! I knew he was scum but hitting his own daughter!" Her outrage seems entirely genuine as she turns away to mutter. "Dark tonight... mask... never know..." After striding across the pen a couple of times she returns to Thanara and takes the sorceress's pale hands in her calloused ones.
"Look Thanara, I'm sorry. I meant it before and I really mean it now. It doesn't change how I feel about you but it does help me understand you better. I promise that being with me is a place you will be safe. A place where you don't need to pretend." She steps in closer, the warmth of her like a kiss on Thanara's exposed skin as their breath mingles. "You can be exactly who you are with me Thanara. Be my good girl, let the pressure go. I can help you relax... submit."
Savah closes the distance slowly, giving Thanara a chance to pull away before their lips meet. Once they do though one hand snakes into the blonde hair, holding her in place as Savah plunders her mouth.
Thanara leans back into the wall of the Hagfish as Savah moves close. Then when their lips meet, her eyes flutter and her body slowly relaxes as Savah’s kiss grows more forceful.
Then realization of their location takes hold, and Thanara barely pulls her lips away enough to whisper ”S-Savah…someone will see…” as she begins to squirm, pinned between the blacksmith and the wall, neither of which seemingly interested in yielding.
"I don't care!" Savah replies, taking a few more seconds to extract everything from the kiss and, quite possibly, enjoy Thanara's body squirming against her. Then she pulls back just enough to meet Thanara's eyes. "I want you Thanara and I don't care who knows. But you do and I can accept that. Put your gift on and invite me in for dinner and I'll let you go and be well behaved for the rest of the evening. Then you can decide where you want to spend the night..."
One hand slides between the wall and Thanara to squeeze her rounded butt. "Although I may try and sway you..."
Thanara was indeed squirming. ”Shhhh!” she pleads when Savah raises her voice.
Thanara’s eyes flutter as Savah’s rough hand slides across her bare back to her butt. ”Okay…okay…” she says as she pulls the bracelets up and looks at them. She fiddles with them clumsily, distracted by Savah’s wandering hand and mutters ”How do I open these…”
Savah pops each bracelet open with a single easy motion and then takes her time sliding each one onto Thanara's wrist and clicking them shut again. She presses a kiss onto each wrist and then admires the silver against Thanara's skin.
"They go very well with your hair." She says, before pulling Thanara away from the wall and brushing her back off in a couple of quick motions. "There we go. Shall we go back in? Your chowder will be cold if we aren't quick!"
-------------------------------------------
Inside Savah sits down next to Thanara and politely requests the story of the group's adventures. She purchases a round of drinks by way of incentive and listens intently and with increasing interest as the tale unfurls.
"So Nualia Tobyn was behind everything that's happened the last few weeks?" She asks in amazement. "Damn, never would have thought the girl had that kind of spine! Goes to show we can never judge based on appearance, right Snow?" She gives the wolf-girl a wink and Thanara feels a warm hand on her thigh, tracing small circles on the sensitive skin.
Thanara makes her way back in and slides into the booth, Savah following beside her. She had just started to relax when she feels Savah’s hand on her thigh, and she suddenly feels trapped! She gently squirms her legs beneath the table as she replied ”Lisavet, Snow, and Shalelu were amazing there. They all saved my life, literally,” before taking a long drink of mead as she feels her heart start beating faster in her chest.
Snow looks up sharply at the sudden change in Thanara but retains enough social grace to not shoot a look across the table.
"Thanara saved us. Big goblin god monster. She got one hit. Nearly killed it. Lose without her. Die without her."
"I always knew she was capable of more." Savah agrees. "It's criminal, how under appreciated she's been in this town. Thanara is quite the prize, any man, or woman, would be lucky to have her."
Unfortunately for Thanara her squirming has allowed Savah's fingers in between her legs where they sit, warm and ever so very...
Thanara does her best to maintain her composure, and she thankfully is well versed in doing so. But usually under other circumstances. Even so, she is able to make it seem as if nothing was going on at all beneath the table even if her insides were trembling and legs still squirming slightly to try and escape.
”Snow, don’t sell yourself short! You tackled that goblin monster thing with absolutely no fear at all! And Lisavet was able to undo anything thrown at us!” Thanara says.
The thump of a peg leg announces Jargie’s approach with their chowders, and Thanara smiles at the man, hoping to hide her predicament and keep his attention off the fact that Savah was sitting so close and her arm was not quite on her side of the booth. ”Thank you, Mr. Quinn! It smells amazing!”
__________
Thanara suspects from the way Snow wrinkles her nose that the shifter is aware that something is going on, but probably not exactly what.
Savah meanwhile takes a long drink from her mug to hide her smile and then finally extracts her fingers from between Thanara's legs.
"Well don't mind me." She says, "Get your fingers in there while it's hot. That's always the most pleasurable way I've found - to eat chowder." The pause is just a fraction longer than necessary.
Snow needs no encouragement and tucks into her chowder with gusto, polishing off the entire bowl in perhaps two or three minutes.
"So, Lisa." She says, waiting until the cleric is just about to take a mouthful of stew. "You and Orik? Friendly?" She manages to waggle her eyebrows in a way that turns an innocuous word into something far less so.
Thanara let out a slight breath when the assault relents, her mixed emotions helping let her actually miss the repartee from the Savah. As the smith talked to Lisavet, though, Thanara’s mind wandered. She was relieved that the hand was gone, but also…sad? How far would she have let Savah go? In front of everyone?
She works on her chowder silently, her legs now rubbing themselves together as she comes down from the frustration she is now experiencing with the hand and fingers gone. It her body and mind were too far gone and she can’t focus. She barely picks at her food before pushing it aside and saying ”I’m tired. I’m going to go to bed. I’ll catch up with you all tomorrow,” as she slides out of the booth, having to pass closely over Savah to do so.
Once outside she takes an overly circuitous route to Savah’s. When she finally makes it there, she dips into the back alley behind the store, her heart racing and stomach and legs trembling.
Savah runs a hand down Thanara's leg as the sorceress steps past her and as she leaves Thanara can hear the smith speak.
"I'd best be going too. Thanks for letting me join you both. Enjoy your drinks."
The smith must have taken a much more direct route back to her shop because when Thanara arrives she finds the door standing slightly ajar. There is almost no light downstairs but a candle on the bannister itself points her way forward.
Upstairs she finds Savah waiting, swathed in a dark robe and lounging on her large bed.
"I'm very glad to see you." The smith says with a grin. "I was beginning to think you might have gone home and I should have got you more worked up." She stands and approaches Thanara, reaching around her to close the bedroom door. "Did you like that? Having me touch you in a crowded tavern. No-one saw but I could tell you enjoyed it..."
Thanara finds herself pressed back against the door and one of Savah's legs pushes firmly in between hers.
Thanara blushes with embarrassment as Savah provides commentary to her earlier boldness. ”I can’t believe you did that,” Thanara said breathily as Savah’s thigh pushes her own tan legs apart. ”I didn’t know what you were going to do…” she adds as her stomach trembles and her breathing causes her chest to rise and fall heavily.
"What did you want me to do?" Savah replies, her eyes flicking between Thanara's face and her heaving chest. "The way you were wriggling didn't exactly scream 'stop'"
Her wandering hands find the belt that secures Thanara's robe and set to work loosening it.
"I know you like your pretty magic robe." She says as the belt comes loose and her hands slide inside it. "But I think it looks much better on my floor."
Thanara couldn’t respond, Savah’s thigh having taken the job her hand had occupied earlier. As her strong hand slid across the skin of her stomach and unloosed the belt, her dress shifted to its natural, diaphanous form. Thanara gasped as she pushed the translucent gown over and off of her shoulders. ”H-how…how did you know…”
Why are you doing this, Thanara? You know it’s wrong. You know what will happen when your father finds out. And what will your friends think? You’ll be even more of the target of gossip, like Jasper and Cyrdak!
Her inward panic is slowly being pushed away, however, by the continued efforts of the blacksmith. Thanara’s hands drop down to rest on Savah’s muscled forearms, not so much pushing them away or halting their advance, but in her own mind she feels like it’s at least a show of effort to do so. In all actuality, they are simply resting there gently as passengers and nothing more.
"There's no way someone changes outfits as fast as you do without magical help." Savah says with a grin. "And I pay attention to what the other shopkeepers have in town. Rel was delighted when she sold that dress."
Finding Thanara's arms resting on her own, and getting in the way, Savah takes Thanara's wrists and grins at the sorceress.
"The bracelets really are an apology present, but I did hope I'd get to do this as well..."
She presses Thanara's wrists together and makes a swift couple of twists which put momentary pressure on Thanara's arms before there is a loud click. Savah withdraws her hands and Thanara finds her wrists locked together by her new bracelets.
"Perfect!" Savah says, clearly delighted as she grasps Thanara's joined wrists with one hand and lifts her arms above her head. Standing with her arms raised pushes Thanara's chest out. Savah looks down and mutters "I need to put a hook over the door." before lowering her head and occupying her mouth with more pleasurable activities.
As Savah boasted about her perception, Thanara found herself lifted by Savah’s leg to the point her toes were barely on the ground. Thanara had tilted her head back and closed her eyes just moments before Savah took her hands and said something else she missed before doing a weird gesture with them.
Thanara looked down and realized her hands were locked together! ”Savah!” she asked as fear started to set in as Savah pinned her hands up above her against the wall, ”Wh-what are you…uuuuhhhhnnnn” as Savah’s focus drifts…
Thanara wasn’t sure how long Savah had held her there against the wall, but it felt like an eternity. A very pleasurable eternity. Then she carried Thanara to the bed and undid her cuffs just long enough to fasten them around a metal post of her headboard. Then she resumed her pleasurable assault on the captive sorceress.
Before it was all said and done, Thanara was a sweaty, exhausted mess. She had flitted in and out of consciousness a couple times, the blacksmith not letting her rest long. Savah had left several marks on Thanara in places that were able to be concealed by her normal fashions, but would be obvious to anyone who saw the girl in any state of undress.
As sunlight crept into the room and across Thanara’s exposed body, she groaned as the insatiable smith continued her work on her body for…well…she’s lost count. ”S-Savah…please…I can’t…can’t handle anymore…” she pleaded, though her body was not showing any sign of agreeing with her statement.
"That's not what you're really saying." The smith replies, setting to work to coax one more climax out of Thanara now that's she said she cant. "Beg for me Pretty One. If you beg well enough then maybe I'll stop. Or not if you ask very nicely."
That does prove to be the final one though and Savah settles in for snuggling and a long sleep, using the still-bound Thanara as a pillow-cum-cuddly toy.
It is nearly midday when the two finally make it out of bed and Thanara has arms which are both stiff from the unaccustomed position and almost jelly-like, in keeping with the rest of her muscles. Savah meanwhile brings up lunch for them both and eats hers with fine appetite before taking a seat in the large chair across from the bed.
"Now it's your turn." She says with a grin. "You're going to make me feel good Pretty One. Don't bother getting up, come here. On your knees." She opens her legs wide and makes it clear what Thanara will be having for dessert.
Said 'dessert' goes on for a long time and ends with Thanara's naked body slumped on the floor, with her head resting on Savah's leg while the blacksmith strokes her blonde hair.
"You look lovely like this." The blacksmith says softly as she strokes away. "You feel free don't you? Relaxed and free, now that you've submitted to me. All that matter is obedience, no pressure, no responsibility, just obedience. It feels so good doesn't it?" She keeps the whispers going for some time, soothing Thanara into a near-trance state with her murmured encouragements, endearments and instructions.
"Now Pretty One, it's getting late." She says eventually. "I'd like to keep you to myself but you can't disappear for more than one day. Now, before we go, your mistress has some rules for you. Fun ones. Would you like to know what they are?"
Thanara gulped at Savah’s demand.
I…I’ve never….I can’t! If I do…then that makes it official…right? But…she’s made me feel so amazing…I owe her this…
Thanara slumps to the floor and crawls from the bed to Savah, her body trembling from exhaustion. When she makes it there, she does her best to please Savah, mimicking the things Savah had done to her…
Afterwards, while she was slumped against Savah’s leg, she actually went back to sleep, her head resting in the crook of Savah’s thigh. When Savah wakes her and says she has some rules, Thanara feels like she has no other choice.
”Y-yes…mistress,” the use of the word sending a shiver up her spine.
"Good girl." Savah says, "You are such a good girl Pretty One. Now, those rules. First, since you sound so pretty when you say it, you will call me Mistress whenever we are in private. In public you can call me Ms. Savah. There's no harm in being polite is there? Secondly, whenever you come to my shop you will not wear undergarments and I mean any time you come. Thirdly, you will wear your bracelets whenever you leave your house. If you pay for the materials I can make you another set that's more golden but whenever you go out you should wear them. How do those rules sound, Pretty One?" There is a note of genuine questioning in her tone. "If I ask you for something you cannot do then tell me, but otherwise I do expect your obedience."
Thanara blushes at the second rule and looks away sheepishly. ”Yes, Mistress. But…the second rule…it shouldn’t be a problem. The magic of the robe is mostly illusion, so wearing anything else can mess up the magic. So…when I wear it I don’t wear anything else anyway…” she confesses, fueling her embarrassment and humiliation.
"And there I was thinking that you'd done it specially for me..." Savah says with a smile, "Well, I do like your adventurous spirit Pretty One. Perhaps you'll have to show me exactly what that robe can do one day. Now come along, you need to get home. Even if it is a shame to cover up your lovely body like that."
Once dressed Savah escorts Thanara down to the door and kisses her thoroughly in the dimly lit shop, fondling her breasts roughly through the illusionary clothes.
"Come back soon Pretty One. If I'm not in I keep a spare key behind the third brick to the left."
Just as Thanara is opening the door Savah speaks once more. "I love you Thanara."
Just as Thanara is stepping out, Savah makes her proclamation, which causes Thanara to pale and turn back sharply, using her finger and eyes to signal a “Shhh!” before shifting her attire to a hooded cloak which she flips over her face and heads into the streets, trying to remain anonymous.
She then makes her way through the towns backstreets, trying to think of an alibi. Her mind ultimately settles on a probable alibi, and she makes her way towards Vernah’s Fine Clothing.
Snow meanwhile, spent her night much more quietly than Thanara - at home with Koya and Niska. The next day however she sets out early, intent on dealing with a problem that has been buzzing around her for the last few days.
As a keen observer of patterns and scents Snow knows exactly where to find Shayliss Vinder on a morning like today. She'll head to the bakery early, hoping to catch one of the Avertin twins on duty so she can talk about boys and try to wrangle a discount. Then, almost every sunny day, she loiters outside the cathedral for a while to enjoy the sun and put off work in her father's shop. So today, as she rounds the corner nearest the bakery Shayliss finds Snow waiting for her.
"Thanara told me." The shifter says, uncoiling herself from the wall and blocking Shayliss' path. "What you said. Am not pet. Not hers. Not yours. You apologise."
Shayliss jumps with a start when Snow ambushes her. But she soon smiles and replies ”Oh, relax sugar. I was just saying that to rile Little Miss Perfect Life up. I figured that was something you and I maybe had in common,” she says as she finger walks her index and middle fingers up Snow’s left arm. ”Both of us held back by our position in town, at no fault of our own beyond who we were born to. Meanwhile Little Miss Scarnetti has everything handed to her on a silver platter.”
She then gets a sincere look and rests her hand on Snow’s forearm. ”But seriously, I am sorry about how things went with my dad. I have a good thing going there with him, and his ire is mostly on my sister. I wanted to keep it that way. Maybe to give us more time to…you know…get to spend more time together…” she adds before she suggestively licks the icing of her cinnamon bun while maintaining eye contact with the shifter.
Snow gives Shayliss a level glare. "Yap like puppy. If don't like position, change it. Be more. Choose what want and take it." She closes in on Shayliss, the shopkeeper's daughter backing away instinctively until a water barrel bars her path further. Snow leans in, slowly morphing her head until its sharp ears and pointed nose are right in Shayliss' face. She watches the eyes closely, cataloguing every emotion before leaning in to take a long lick up Shayliss' neck to her earlobe and a deep breath to capture the scents.
Fear, excitement, a thick scent with underlying sharpness. Smug? Satisfaction.
Snow pulls back, her eyes dark. "Don't want you. Find someone else. Am not toy to annoy Thanara. Don't like her? Deal with it! Yourself." She steals the cinnamon bun in a single swift bite, nipping Shayliss' finger sharply in the process but not drawing blood.
"Wolf takes." She says, swallowing the treat. "Want me? Be more wolf." She walks away, letting her features change back to their humanoid form. "But you won't. Too hard." She adds over her shoulder as she rounds the corner into the square.
Shayliss is taken aback by first the freakish shape shifting going on in front of her, and then the biting (literally) retort. As Snow walks away, she can hear Shayliss shout behind her ”Yeah! Well f!%! you too!”
Having confronted Shayliss, Snow is forced to consider something she had previously been avoiding - clothes. Not being blessed with her sharp senses the people of Sandpoint judge by what they know and see. Niska had said as much the last night.
In the dark, surrounded by warmth and familiar scents and with one of the only people in the world she actually loves Snow was truly able to relax and the story flowed, haltingly but with more fluency than anyone who has met her under normal circumstances could believe. She spokes of Nualia, twisted and changed by hatred and of her own resolve to not become like her former friend.
"Want to be better." She said eventually. "Be more... me. Make people see, not just dismiss like always. Can't be what they want so must be me instead. Show how strong can be."
"It does me good to hear that Snow." Niska said slowly. "You were such a fierce little thing when you first came here, you had so much fire, so wild. You made Koya and I despair sometimes but we both love you regardless." She lets out a long sigh in the darkness. "I'm sorry my dear, I did a very bad job of preparing you for people. Especially people in a small town like Sandpoint. Everyone has their role, their place in the town and most don't like it when someone, or something, spoils that. If something doesn't fit in then it is wrong and must be driven out."
"Like lone wolf." Snow added, half questioning. "Pack not want lone wolf, so drive it away."
"Exactly." Niska replied, a smile in her voice. "We really aren't very different are we? You were the lone wolf my dear and it's my fault that I let people drive you away. Not physically of course, but you've been pushed and backed into corners until you lost who you were and I didn't stop it."
Soft sobs floated through the night as Snow rose too take her grandmother in her arms. "Not your fault." She said haltingly. "My fault. Not strong enough. Forgot."
"No Snow," Niska replied, "It was my fault. You were a child, you didn't have to be strong. I should have been strong for you. I'm sorry, so sorry."
The two stayed like that until dawn began to paint the sky with rosy fingers. Snow had actually drifted off when Niska gave herself a rather wolf-like shake.
"So, how are we going to change the town's view of you my dear? Well, you've done a good job so far. Stopping the goblin raids and rescuing Ameiko have been good deeds, people know your name now. But people are also lazy, creatures of habit. If you want them to see you differently then you have to look different. I'm no expert in fashion these days but you'll need to dress differently. Get some clothes that fit, show off those muscles of yours." A soft, grandmotherly pinch on the cheek punctuated the advice. "People use clothes to send messages my dear, just like wolves when they scent each other. Think about the message you want to send."
With Niska's words still ringing in her ears and feeling accomplished after confronting the lingering fear that Shayliss had caused Snow nods her head firmly.
Clothes. Armor. Weapons. Better than claws. Make people see.
Oddly enough though her steps don't wend their way to any of the clothing shops in Sandpoint. Instead Snow heads for the garrison - there are people there she needs to see. The only person she's ever known who both understood her and knew how to be something else, something that people respected. Nualia.
Getting into the garrison is no trouble - Snow is a recognisable face in Sandpoint now, but finding that Nualia and Lyrie already have a visitor takes the wind from Snow's sails a bit.
"Hi Lisa." She says slowly, moving offer her friend a gentle squeeze on the shoulder. "Surprise. Want talk to Lia."
"So, Lisa." She says, waiting until the cleric is just about to take a mouthful of stew. "You and Orik? Friendly?" She manages to waggle her eyebrows in a way that turns an innocuous word into something far less so.
Lisavet raises her own eyebrow as she swallows the mouthful of stew. "I would not say we are unfriendly. Despite his bluster, he seems nice enough. He did help us defeat Nualia, after all. Why do you ask?"
***
Lisavet smiles and puts a harm on Snow's muscular arm in greeting. "Blessings of the sun, Snow. I have been visiting the prisoners as my duties allow me. One of Sarenrae's core tenets is offering redemption to those who have sinned. I am hoping to convince Lyrie and Nualia to repent and turn away from the dark paths they have chosen. It may be a losing battle, but I have to at least try."
"He likes you." Snow says simply. "Could smell it. So asked. Want to help." Her smile is sincere, if a touch mischievous.
----------------------------------
"Oh." Snow says, seemingly taken aback. "Good. Hope it works." She squeezes once more and then turns to the cell.
"Lia? Wanted... wanted to..." She lets out a growl of frustration as words desert her and resorts to a flurry of sign. Want to ask for help. Want to make people see me. Properly. Her signing is particularly emphatic on the word 'see'. "You always good. At clothes." She manages to say before falling back into sign. Came to ask my friend.
"Oh," Lisa says. She clears her throat. "Right. Well, um... I appreciate your concern, but I think I can handle the situation on my own."
***
Nualia looks up from the cot she is sitting on. Dressed in a drab gray prison shift, her silver hair wild, the aasimar looks in rough shape. "Clothes," she says dully. "Here I am, facing execution, and you want to talk to me about clothes."
Snow lets out a defeated sigh and signs rapidly. Sorry. Needed help and thought of you. Sorry. Bad thoughts. Will go.
She turns away muttering. "Stupid. Stupid! Think better!"
"Sorry Lisa." She adds. "Did not help. Sorry."
Lisa reaches out for Snow's arm before she can skulk off. "Wait. Don't get discouraged. If you want to talk to her, then stay and talk to her. Try a different approach."
"Don't know how." Snow mutters. "Talking hard."
Still, she takes Lisa's advice and turns back to the cell once more, devolving into sign.
I'm sorry. Missed you. Wanted to see you again. To talk. You were always so smart. Person I went to when I didn't know things.
Nualia signs back. If I were truly so smart, I would have recognized what a terrible place this town was. I would have left before it chewed me up and spit me out. Sandpoint ruined my life. It will ruin yours, too.
Thanara chimes in from across the table ”It’s not nice to tease!”
She then takes a quick bite of her chowder. She closes her eyes and says ”Uummmm, that’s good,” as she tightens her grip on her spoon.