Epiphany
Proverbs 17:9
Well, the young man was friendly at least. Well mannered too, with his offer to shake hands. Emmaline reached out to shake after Natevar but then the commander mentioned werewolf. The former Paladin perceptibly paused. Then her face tightened, she visibly made an effort to shrug and reached out to shake hands with Marcus.
"I'm certain we will," Emmaline said politely, in response to Marcus' expressed wish to work well with both of them. If her tone wasn't completely convincing, at least she was willing to make the effort.
When the commander led the way back to the main hall, Emmaline once more fell into step behind him. And likely beside Marcus. She didn't try for small talk, though, and simply kept her eyes fixed forward on Natevar's back. A snub? Or maybe just a military thing? Could be nerves. It's not like a Paladin had any reason to be nervous in a place like this, of course...
Emmaline watched the display with the book with faint interest, which turned into active interest when the book blasted open. The light show was spectacular and Emmaline had to admit it caught her attention. She'd faced her share of supernatural evil but encountering magic like this wasn't common, not for a Knight Banneret. When the book made a staircase to the floating gem, out of parchment, she just shook her head out of reflexive denial. But when Natevar spoke up, she just nodded. Then turned and fixed him with a fierce stare. "I'm a vampire, sir, and I was a Paladin. I'm sure most of the people here couldn't think less of me if they tried. Let them see the courage of Arcadia at least. Besides," she added with a grim smile. "Given what I am, I doubt a lifelong commitment will last long anyway."
With that, Emmaline turned back to the gem and marched straight up the stairs, heading up to grasp the gem waiting for her.
"I'm certain we will," Emmaline said politely, in response to Marcus' expressed wish to work well with both of them. If her tone wasn't completely convincing, at least she was willing to make the effort.
When the commander led the way back to the main hall, Emmaline once more fell into step behind him. And likely beside Marcus. She didn't try for small talk, though, and simply kept her eyes fixed forward on Natevar's back. A snub? Or maybe just a military thing? Could be nerves. It's not like a Paladin had any reason to be nervous in a place like this, of course...
Emmaline watched the display with the book with faint interest, which turned into active interest when the book blasted open. The light show was spectacular and Emmaline had to admit it caught her attention. She'd faced her share of supernatural evil but encountering magic like this wasn't common, not for a Knight Banneret. When the book made a staircase to the floating gem, out of parchment, she just shook her head out of reflexive denial. But when Natevar spoke up, she just nodded. Then turned and fixed him with a fierce stare. "I'm a vampire, sir, and I was a Paladin. I'm sure most of the people here couldn't think less of me if they tried. Let them see the courage of Arcadia at least. Besides," she added with a grim smile. "Given what I am, I doubt a lifelong commitment will last long anyway."
With that, Emmaline turned back to the gem and marched straight up the stairs, heading up to grasp the gem waiting for her.