Maea
Stars, hide your fires
"Thanks, I think. But you haven't sparred with me in years - you don't actually know what I'm like these days," she replied, not unkindly but matter-of-fact. "I'm not trying to be modest, nor am I shirking out of the fight because I am unwilling. I just don't think I'd survive more than a hit or two at the level you're fighting. Hadama struggles over there. And he's able to pick me up with one hand without breaking a sweat." Splaying her hands out in a frustrated gesture, Maea shrugged as if to suggest there wasn't anything she could do about it that she wasn't already doing. As for cleansing infected areas... "Sure, of course I can. As soon as I get hold of another flower. But I thought Starfall was supposed to be the priority?"
Shifting as the frustration kept building up within, Maea made herself pause before responding. Unsure whether he was misunderstanding her or simply had no interest in the matter, she resisted the impulse to flare up with impatience. "I meant, anyone who is not going to Starfall to fight," she specified. "It's a long game, this invasion, right? Doesn't that mean we should be considering what happens if we don't win this battle? I'm not saying you have to do anything differently - just asking if you know any others who want to do more." Or at least talk about what could be done to prepare.
Shifting as the frustration kept building up within, Maea made herself pause before responding. Unsure whether he was misunderstanding her or simply had no interest in the matter, she resisted the impulse to flare up with impatience. "I meant, anyone who is not going to Starfall to fight," she specified. "It's a long game, this invasion, right? Doesn't that mean we should be considering what happens if we don't win this battle? I'm not saying you have to do anything differently - just asking if you know any others who want to do more." Or at least talk about what could be done to prepare.
Let not light see my black and deep desires
