The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Marian Hawke]

"I have no family," she whispers. "I have relatives, but not... I am alone. Abandoned. Even my master has gone."

[Haliel Lightsong]

''You are not alone. I... I know we just met, but I do wish to... help you,'' she finishes, chickening out at the end. ''And there is also your goddess.''

[Marian Hawke]

Astea? "Oh, Alydra, of course," she says, realizing. "Thank you. I... I'm glad I let you in."

[Haliel Lightsong]

''...of course?'' Lightsong asks gently.  ''Oh. I- I just assumed you were working towards vows. Are you not..?''

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I don't know." She looks down at the letter. "I always figured I would go home when I turned seventeen. Perhaps go to university, become a mage. I... I was always Astean, before."

[Haliel Lightsong]

''Astea is a wonderful goddess. I have always had Bastion as my patron. He is...'' Sorta my great-grandfather. ''Dear to me. But I love Astea as well. Why can you not follow her now?''

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I can, I suppose. But I was educated by Alydrans."

[Haliel Lightsong]

''But you have not sworn vows? I can understand wishing to repay the debt, but... faith cannot be bought.'' Well, maybe Naugrix, I suppose. ''There is other coin you can give to Alydra for that debt.''

[Marian Hawke]

"It's not the debt -- they believe in educating all sorts, Alydran or not. It's... It's just... I've nowhere else to go. My master, and that's all. If she doesn't come home, I'm utterly lost. Homeless, really, if the rent stops being paid."

[Haliel Lightsong]

''You could live with me,'' Lightsong says without hesitation. Or any kind of thought at all really. 

[Marian Hawke]

Marian looks up at her, startled. "But we've only just met. You'd... you're sure?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

''I- well. I mean... I only have a room at the temple but... we could fit another cot in there... and you could take my allotment for meals. I can share my access to the temple library, such as it is. And you can maybe join the chorus?'' Lightsong's voice slowly gains strength as she goes. ''And you seem really smart and productive so I'm sure you can find work to afford nice things and such. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Thank you," she whispers, wiping at her eyes. "I... I still hope my master will come home. But thank you. I..."

Impulsively, she leans forward, kissing Lightsong on the cheek. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

The aasimar's eyes widen and her cheeks flush a deep crimson. ''I- I mean- that is- I- umm. Kiss?'' 

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm sorry," she says quickly. "I didn't mean to... I just... I just meant, thank you."