[Training] addicted to pain

ROANA

Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?

Roana saw the flash of panic in his eyes and she couldn't help but laugh. Oh yeah. She remembered those days. The terror of the unknown, what would happen, how you would cope - in time it faded but this was all still very new to him. "Don't worry. I've three boys who are quite good at taking orders. You just say the word and you'll have a mini-team of toddler herders that can be paid in cookies and fake sword fights." she joked with a grin. Only half joked though. Cormac, Rhett, and Jax would actually be good mini-bodyguards for little Aoife once she was a little less delicate, and once she got to that age, she was certain Ronin and Remi would be grateful for any distraction that could be provided for her.

He tried to lift her spirits about her guilt and she sighed. It was true, but hearing it from him was helpful. "I know. Safrin was even surprised by that little turn of events." she said quietly, remembering how the goddess herself hadn't even considered such a weapon to be hidden within the monster. If a goddess had been taken aback by it...and if Ronin wasn't angry...could she really remain guilty over it? Roana smiled a little and nodded, happy to set it aside. "Thank you, Ronin."

They started off again and she laughed at his assessment of how well she had or had not done, feeling a bit odd jogging at this slow pace but knowing better than to push it. They wanted to build Ronin back up not break him to bits. "Yeah well. Let's just say I am short for friends these days. And as upset as people were over your death, I think that came from a warm place in their hearts." she said with a small smile. Roana knew when she was going to be helpful and when it was better to step back. As much as she supported this idea of a government, as much as she wanted to helm pushing things forward, her being so integral to its form would probably cause more problems than anything. "I'm glad you'll consider it. And in the meantime...I've some thoughts to a plan to move things forward. But it depends...how willing do you think Safrin would be to support this war against the Voice?" she asked. It was clear she was formidable, so much so the gods had simple trapped her before. If they didn't have help or support from the Old Gods they were up a creek without a paddle. Probably without a raft too. "We might not be able to kill her but...how familiar were you with the agreement between the Launceleyn's and the Hawthornes?"

Why is my reflection someone
I don't know?