The Silver Queen [AU]

[Smith Family]

"Yes," Kyle says simply, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Her heart aching, about to gratefully accept, she stops, shaking her head, wiping her eyes. "I can't-- not until you know the truth. You don't-- there's just so much..."

She takes a deep shaky breath. "Jaina? and Will?" she asks, quietly. 

[Smith Family]

"Jaina's back at the camp, with- ah. Right. We're... we've left," he admits softly. "Whole group of us, some four hundred or so in this caravan. Almost joined the one heading to Draslina but..." He laughs softly. "Thought it a bit of bad luck, but clearly Jaina's onto something with her praying to the Waterbringer."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I'm glad she still has faith."

That's a dangerous sentiment -- it could be harmless, but it could also reflect the speaker's own lack of faith. Vig clearly doesn't miss the implication, as he hisses slightly, taking a step toward her. "Lady Olocaryn."

"Not now, Vig. And Will? Is he alright as well?"

[Smith Family]

A long, slow sigh. "Last I heard," he says reluctantly. "He's still in Glaley. Joined the Golden Peacekeepers. Ah, neighborhood watch sort'o thing. A... old friend of yours founded it," he adds, eyes flicking to Vigile for a second.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy nods. "Then I'll go get him out. What I heard, it's... I don't think he should be there." and Gold, as well, despite our differences. "The city's too far gone to save."

[Smith Family]

Kyle snorts. "You think Jaina didn't try?" he asks pointedly. "Boy's as stubborn as his mother and still full up of the, uh, vinegar of youth. And love too," he adds with a faint smile. "Two of us would still be there if..." He winces, shifting his right arm a little, the left still slung around his daughter. "Blast, what am I doing? Come on, Jaina's back at the wagon, she'll want to see you."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I have skills she doesn't," says Cindy quietly, as she begins to walk with him. "And Vig, of course."

Vigile darts forward, settling on her neck like a ruff. "I suspect the others would come if you asked, Lady Olocaryn."

"Please-- call me Cindy, at least for today."

"As you like, Cindy."

[Smith Family]

At least for today? "The... others?" Kyle asks carefully.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Right," she says, swallowing hard as she glances down. "I am widowed," she allows. "I was starting to tell you when Vig appeared. They... offered me passage here, and offered to introduce me to the druids."

[Smith Family]

"Oh. Thank the Bright Gods," Kyle whispers. And, if I can hope, your own hand. "And... and how... how are you, Cindy?" he asks quietly, wrapping his good arm around her to guide her to the refugee camp.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... they tell me it is impossible to go through what I went through without being changed," she whispers. "I... am not who I once was. I am... I wanted to be sure my family is safe. That's all I'm letting myself focus on."

"She's not well," pipes up Vig. "I have been sent to protect her," I think, "and help guide her back to health."

[Smith Family]

"I- Well. Change is... a thing that happens to everyone, for all sorts of reasons. Still you, at the core of things," Kyle says stoutly. "Keep the good, change the bad again. If it can change once, it can change twice, yeah?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... find that hard to believe," she says quietly.

"Well, you don't have a choice," says Vig, batting at her cheek. "I'm not letting you die."

[Smith Family]

"Rightly so!" Kyle says, squeezing Cindy against his side in protest. "Got plenty to live for, daughter." He frets at his lip for a moment, then nods. No, let Jaina have that moment. "You're young yet. Plenty of time to heal and find joy and love." Over Cindy's head, he gives Vigile a slightly begrudging nod of thanks.