undread | Ashlyn

Yes.

[plus you might get tied to a little boy who is trying to get scapegoated every damn day.]

But in a place like this, I think power is nicer to have than powerlessness.

[ imagine the stress. jesus christ. ]

... So are you going to look for your partner?

I think so. I want the power that comes with it, so I'll have to accept the risk. I won't last here without it, anyway.

[she seems very certain about that.]

... Do you want to trade monsters? If you still can.

[ she doesn't know how fast laudna got on that and started telling people. also, a kind of separate thought, because ashlyn is stupid so she immediately guesses the most logical explanation (to her). ]

I can also teach you some basic self-defense, if you need.

[she nods...]

I'll trade with you. [she has shared a little, but she has room to tell another person. but she smiles at the other suggestion.]

I'm not sure it will do much good. I've been in quite a few combats, dear. But this body is very frail. Nothing it can do will compete with magic and monsters.

But you have to at least try. You can work on being faster, or... Or something.

[ ... ]

I doubt we have the same monster. [ she'll still tell her, but she's just throwing that out there so hopes aren't too high. ] But if I hear someone else has yours I can at least send them to you. What's yours?

Why do you say that? Have you already found your match?

[curious... but she'll just tell her.]

Qilin. [and then a slightly mischievous smile.] Cloud and Pickles swapping places was mine.

[ her mouth twitches up a little. that's. kind of funny. okay. but ahem. anyway. ]

I haven't. I'm still not sure if I even want to look. [ but if someone she likes is looking, she'll at least tell them. help narrow down their search, or just - take the risk. ]

Mine's manticore. Haven't used its power.