EVIE
like love is a bad word
Even in the grips of her own effusive excitement at seeing her best friend (her sister, in ways she doesn't yet know) Evie knows Amalia far too well for the slight warble if hesitation in her voice to go unnoticed. Brow crinkling in concern, the older woman withdraws just enough to gaze down into a pale, delicate countenance. "Are you? What's wrong, what did I miss?" Unaware of the gravity of such a question but unable to leave it unspoken. Always the one to poke and prod until Amalia let's go of the grief and poison inside her heart. Draining the pain from the wound. Mara's name makes Evie sigh softly, hand still drifting comfortingly over Amalia's arm as her aqua gaze goes distant. "Yes, she actually accompanied myself, Hotaru, and Jigano as we explored the mines. We didn't have much of a chance to speak, but seeing her was...certainly a surprise." Evie hadn't wanted to think it, but as a Natural, it had been far too morbidly easy to believe that Maea was simply dead. Growing up she had never been afforded the luxury of something like closure. Not with the barrier, LongNight, and failing crops alike all spiriting away souls without care for who they left behind. "I...Zariah offered me an opportunity at training in Halo. I hold less than no love for her, but I'm...I'm so tired of hiding away from who I am. Especially with my magic growing past just healing." There's a deep, blackened pain that clings like tar to each word, praying Amalia will understand, will not hate her for her choice. "Then Loren made me Assistant Grand Healer, and getting medical care set up in Halo...I'm sorry I've been gone so long Lia." A regret she doesn't take lightly. Evie has settled decently in Halo, but her heart still aches every single day because of the distance she has put between herself and her family.
