The Silver Queen [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Purge," she whispers, closing her eyes. Catalian... where were you? Did you die trying to fight this? It's too big, way too big for masked heroes.

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Elves, humans and dwarves- and aasimar, provided their mortal blood was blue enough. Anyone else was forced to the Docks or killed," Lightsong says softly. "Those of..." She grimaces. "Well, the official wording was 'savage and civilized bloodlines,' were taken into 'assistance and guidance' programs." Her hand drifts to her sword hilt. "When the head of the Vangal church protested, along with a few other church leaders, the nobles had every temple emptied, the clergy exiled from the city. They were smart enough to not hurt us, of course. That would have brought retribution they're far from ready for," she adds scornfully. 

[Smith Family]

"Not every temple, I wager," Jaina says tartly. "Suspect there's a few with iron crowns still running."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Excuse me, I-- I have to--"

Cindy pulls away from her mother, staggering to the nearby bushes. The sound of her being violently ill is almost drowned out by Vig's growling -- an impressive feat, for such a small creature. 

When she returns, her face is pale, angled at the ground. Her body language is subdued; her parents have never seen her so meek, so small, her hands folded in her lap. "My apologies," she whispers, clearly ashamed. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong has risen, having gestured down Jaina, when she turns around. "May I heal you, Goodwoman Cindy?" she asks in a soft, soothing voice and offers her hand.

[Coquette Blacquin]

She gives a tiny, controlled nod as she sits, letting Lightsong touch her. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

A soft, golden glow shimmers in the air around their hands. Cindy feels a gentle warmth play over her skin, an endless reservoir of patience, kindness and hope filling her heart for the span of the silence between two beats. Then it crests, rushing out to wash away her body's pains and unease. "I'm sorry for putting this all on you at once. Perhaps we should finish this talk later?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"No," she whispers, tears streaming down her face. "No. Please. I want-- I need to hear the rest."

[Haliel Lightsong]

The paladin studies Cindy's face for a long moment, then finally sighs. "Very well. But perhaps some tea before I resume?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

Again a small, meek nod, as she folds her hands in her lap.

Then a cat-shaped Pavitra sits on them, purring gallantly as he headbutts her chin. She bundles him up in her arms, pressing her face into the warm fur, cradling him close while Lightsong makes tea. She takes the mug, and Vig lays across her lap, still purring, letting her pet him while she sips. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

At Jaina's direction, Lightsong shifts her footstool closer to the mother can slip her arm around Cindy as well. "...there's not that much left in the overall really," the paladin finally opens with. "The Golden Peacekeepers emerged right after that. They'd been organizing before, but with the influx of clergy that escaped their exile- or slipped back in- they had enough numbers and power to act openly. The very last I'd heard by messenger bird four days ago, they'd stacked the merchantmen ships with explosives and flammables, holding them hostage to prevent the Spears from... attacking."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Started by a friend of yours. Golden peacekeepers. Cindy shivers. Please still be alive, Catalian. Please hang in there. "Alright. I... I've met some adventurers recently, I can... I'm sure they'll want to help."

[Smith Family]

"Glaley could use all the help it can get," Jaina whispers sadly, hand making slow, soothing circles on her daughter's back. "...you're going back too, aren't you?" she adds tiredly.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... I don't know. I would have, once. But this... there's nothing I could have done to stop this," she whispers, shaking her head. "Nothing I can do now that's not already being done."

[Smith Family]

"Good, that's fine," the mother says rapidly, almost desperately. "Your friends can go, you just- you can stay here. With us, where it's safe. I-" she cuts off when Kyle grips her arm. "Jaina... let her think on things before you... press."