kate

[undread]

Comments

[undread]

[oh, kate... she'll approach carefully.]

I don't mean to startle you...

[sootprints]

[ she lets out a heavy, shaky breath, and looks up to face her. ]

Laudna?

I'm sorry -- I'll be just fine. I just needed a moment to... process all of this.

[undread]

It's alright. Gather your feelings.

[she'll just sit and wait for her a little bit. she understands she feels the need to keep it all inside and, yeah, mood.]

[sootprints]

[ she does take a minute, then...

and slowly seems to calm herself. ]

... What happened to Boothill today... It could happen to any one of us, couldn't it?

[undread]

[well. she isn't in the habit of sugarcoating things.]

Yes. It seems they'll pick at random.

[sootprints]

[ ...... ]

I thought I managed to convince everyone I'm not a monster, but now...

[undread]

[yeah.]

I know. I don't want them to think I'm a monster, either. But the suspicion will be inevitable.

[sootprints]

... I'm scared.

But... I'm glad that you're here right now, Laudna.

[undread]

[ 🥺

she probably should reassure kate that the people here won't judge her, won't look at her as a monster; would if anything be reluctant to see her that way even with these suspicions. but she has been paranoid and suspicious for a long time, and she isn't sure enough in any of that.

instead, she'll carefully put a hand on her shoulder.]

I'm frightened, too. [she tries not to show it, if she can help it.] But I will do my best to defend you.

[sootprints]

[ she allows the hand on her shoulder. ]

... Thank you.

I know it might not mean as much from a child, but... I'll do the same for you.

[undread]

It means more coming from you than it does from many people here.

[she understands a little more about the things laudna does and doesn't find threatening.]

Friends can make all the difference in these matters, I think.