Super trooper

Down and out, and out of luck, we're spinning but the needle's stuck

Casting a sidelong glance at the younger woman, Maea's expression was sympathetic, if a bit doubtful. "I don't think you need to hold that against yourself. It's not like you chose this, anymore than you'd choose being assaulted. Whether anything was gained or learned or not, you're still you - a survivor of a terrible event." She didn't say 'victim', as the word came with plenty of bad associations, but the sentiment was similar. Through no fault of her own had Noe endured this ordeal, and in no way did the lack of intelligence or pieces of a Family member detract from the strength it took to simply stand here today.

"Stormbreak, huh... I admit, I've had mixed feelings about that place. I'm sure it's a nice city, but between the Order and the Family, it could use some better advertisement." Climbing over the moldering trunk of a fallen tree, Maea carefully stepped between poisonous plants and skirted a patch of sweetgrass that filled the air with a sugary fragrance. "I'm from the Grounds, originally. Spent a lot of time on the road, but... I've been staying here for a while. Hopefully for good." Though half a year was too short of a time to make predictions on. That she wished to stay was one thing - whether she could was another matter entirely. "Would you want to return home, if you could?"

Maea