Vesta listens to Storm, nodding here and there, though her gaze stays lowered at first. Eventually she wipes at her face again, dragging in a slow breath that trembles on the way out.

“I can’t… not- not yet.” She shakes her head, fingers twisting in her skirts. “Not until I can get it together. Not until I can make it up to her.” She exhales shakily and tips her head back towards the sky for a moment, blinking hard as if trying to dry the last of the tears there.
 “It’s not her fault that I’m a coward. I can at least make an effort that’s more than just words.” Her breathing begins to steady. The sobbing has stopped, though her voice is still raw around the edges. She presses her palms flat against her cheeks, grounding herself.

“I can’t ask her to look into Forsetidale business.” She swallows. “I just have to wait to hear from Tristan… and hope nothing is terribly wrong.”

She mutters something in Tovi under her breath, then lightly slaps at her cheeks again, leaving them flushed. “It sucks not knowing if he’s okay…” 
A few more tears slip free, but she brushes them away almost irritably this time.

“Ugh. I’m annoying myself with all this. If I could fight half as well as I cry, the famine would have been resolved ages ago.” She gives a breath of a laugh that borders on hysterical, then reins it in, drawing her shoulder back, finally caring enough to sit properly.

“I still need to find a group to go hunt werewolves. That definitely can’t happen until I know Tristan’s okay. But I’m going to do it.” Her jaw tightens slightly. “I might even… take a swing at them myself.” Her fingers curl into her skirts again, but this time it’s in resolve.

“Perhaps Jade would appreciate something tastefully made from a werewolf.” She shudders, as if the words are contradicting themselves. “Maybe something from the teeth. Or whatever those from Seshtau like.”

She waves a hand dismissively.
“She knows how terrified I am of the creatures. If I'm willing to face that for her… maybe she’ll forgive me for being stupid.”

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