Perhaps oddly, her reaction didn't surprise him. From what Vai had said, Ashetta's childhood had been spent in brainwashing and indoctrination. It was not the conscious, adult choice that Rizz had made, but something forced upon her. That she had still continued to do it, and had proudly declared herself an assassin even after leaving her world was more than enough reason for him to be wary of her. But... after a lifetime trained to kill and never being offered other options, it was not so strange that she had never realized that she had them.
Perhaps not to claim you are better, he acknowledged bluntly. Not unless you try to become something better. It is something you will have to earn, for yourself and from others. But it is a possibility. Especially here, on a new world. One with new opportunities and chances to break old molds. Was that not what he had set himself to do? If he would allow himself that mercy, he had no right to deny it to anyone else.
Even an assassin.
An ex-assassin, it would seem, and he nodded his white head gravely, heavy beak dipping in acknowledgment of the decision she had reached. Only time would tell if her actions would suit her words, but he found himself willing to give her that time. Not quite the benefit of the doubt - he was still cautious of her and her past, the instincts that would not be so easily blunted - but she had earned the chance to prove the truth of her words, to herself even more than him.
It was, in many ways, like the conversation he had had with Kiada in the guildhall, and he found a certain wry amusement in that realization. Then find out who you are beyond that vocation. Vai's daughter. Remi's sister. Kalt's partner. Unicorn rider. Lightning caller. Hunting wolf. Food is always welcome in the Settlement, and Long Night is just around the corner. Stockpiling meat for the Rathskeller and Infirmary would help many. I'm sure the Monster Hunters will have more to do, too, when the snows bring other hunters closer to farms and homes, seeking easier prey among the livestock and humans. He stretched his wings, then looked down to Isuma, who looked up at him and gave a happy, tiny burp. Or seek a different path entirely. You have a choice now. And there is nothing so valuable - or so terrifying - as freedom.
Perhaps not to claim you are better, he acknowledged bluntly. Not unless you try to become something better. It is something you will have to earn, for yourself and from others. But it is a possibility. Especially here, on a new world. One with new opportunities and chances to break old molds. Was that not what he had set himself to do? If he would allow himself that mercy, he had no right to deny it to anyone else.
Even an assassin.
An ex-assassin, it would seem, and he nodded his white head gravely, heavy beak dipping in acknowledgment of the decision she had reached. Only time would tell if her actions would suit her words, but he found himself willing to give her that time. Not quite the benefit of the doubt - he was still cautious of her and her past, the instincts that would not be so easily blunted - but she had earned the chance to prove the truth of her words, to herself even more than him.
It was, in many ways, like the conversation he had had with Kiada in the guildhall, and he found a certain wry amusement in that realization. Then find out who you are beyond that vocation. Vai's daughter. Remi's sister. Kalt's partner. Unicorn rider. Lightning caller. Hunting wolf. Food is always welcome in the Settlement, and Long Night is just around the corner. Stockpiling meat for the Rathskeller and Infirmary would help many. I'm sure the Monster Hunters will have more to do, too, when the snows bring other hunters closer to farms and homes, seeking easier prey among the livestock and humans. He stretched his wings, then looked down to Isuma, who looked up at him and gave a happy, tiny burp. Or seek a different path entirely. You have a choice now. And there is nothing so valuable - or so terrifying - as freedom.
