The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Merrill]

"I'm not stupid!" she snaps, then gasps, body instantly readying for Marian to hit her or worse.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian flinches. "Sorry. A lot of people outside the cities don't learn. Well, inside the cities too. I'm Alydran, I was... I thought maybe I could show you, if you didn't know."

[Merrill]

"I was pert. I'm sorry." She still doesn't move, body quivering with the effort of being so very, very still. Please just hit me and get it over with. Please just hit. Please only hit me.

[Marian Hawke]

"Hey, it's alright. I'm not angry," lies Marian. Not with you, anyway. "It was a rude question, I'm sorry. How about dogs, are you good with animals?"

[Merrill]

"...animals are nice." By her tone, Marian gets the impression this is a comparison. As if reminded, she darts a glance at the dragonling, who is passed out in her clothing nest.

[Marian Hawke]

"Maybe I can hire you on as a dog minder," says Marian, keeping a smile on her face. "We've a puppy, you see. He's a handful, it'd be good to have someone keeping a close eye on him. Maybe you could even travel with us."

[Merrill]

Dog... minder? Is that... The elf clasps her hands tightly under the water. Does it matter? They seem nice. They healed me and offered to fed me. If they do... And... and Marian has nice hands. Maybe it won't feel so bad with her. "...okay," she whispers.

[Marian Hawke]

"Great. I'll run it past the adults, make sure it's okay. We can only pay a little but it's more than you were getting, right? You can start saving up."

[Merrill]

Pay. Pay. Then... then it's definitely... that. But... Maybe it's not that bad? Other people seem to like sex... maybe it'll be worth bathes and food and playing with that cute dog. "Okay," she whispers again. Her voice is less tense, less wary... but even more resigned, like a gamble who has already wagered their last chips.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian reaches to continue with the girl's hair, keeping her tone light. "So, have you lived here your whole life?"

[Merrill]

"Ye- mostly? I... M-Marethari once told me I was found in the woods." She fidgets with her hands, eyes half closing. "There was a campsite but no-one else around, just me hidden away in a basket."

[Marian Hawke]

"That's awful," says Marian, her tone still soothing, like she'd use with hunter. 

[Merrill]

She shrugs one shoulder. "They can't be blamed for discarding something like me," she recites almost dutifully. 

[Marian Hawke]

Marian pulls her hands away again, taking a moment to get her shaking under control. "I guess," she says, as neutrally as she can. "Still hurts, though. Not being wanted."

[Merrill]

A soft sob slips out from the elf and she stills After a moment, she nods slightly. "I'm sorry."