Welcome to Gaia! ::

Although he didn’t appear to be much older than she was, at least from this distance anyway, Arthur had a way with words that made it seem like he was wise beyond his years. Someone who had seen much in his time; skirmishes, battles and no doubt even war. Enough to walk the fine line between Order and Chaos yet still be able to regard them equally.

She considered his question carefully before finally nodding. “I’m not big on fighting.” One of her flaws as an agent and, at times, she wondered if Wolframite was disappointed by that fact. Sparing could be fun at times but rarely did she have the urge to hurt someone unless her life was one the line.

“What’s your question?”

“I understand your concern. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone by that name.” Even without being able to fully make out his expression, Laven could hear the sorrow in his voice. Although his words hoped for a better future for this officer, wherever they may be, there was a quiet cry from a lost voice that yearned for something more than just a verbal confirmation from a stranger.

“It’s something I might be able to look into. Just, keep in mind I’m only a lieutenant. There’s a lot of information I’m blocked from seeing. That, and I live in the Dark Kingdom. I don’t come across many officers unless they are visiting.” Or if there was a meeting where everyone was required to attend.

“There’s no guarantee I’ll find anything though.” Although he seemed nice she didn’t want to get his hopes up either. It was a long shot as is.

“Become a human?” She raised a brow in his direction clearly confused by his peculiar question.“I was never a full youma,” Laven’s voice trailed off.

“To be honest I don’t really know how to explain what happened. I guess in a way a youma saved my life after. I don’t recall seeing anything peculiar or strange at the cabin but after I fell into a frozen lake I woke up under a sheet of ice looking like this.” She gestured to herself while leaving out the part where she had been attacked from behind by an agent since that would only complicate the conversation.

“To my knowledge, I’ve never behaved like the feral beasts. I don’t think it’s ever taken over my body or consciousness.” The only one who might know would be Wolframite and he hadn’t really said anything of it. “As far as I’m aware my personality is as it has always been.” Which was only a partial truth. The original spar Wolframite had definitely changed her in some ways by forcing her youma nature and tendencies to stir. There was definitely a bleed-over when emotions ran high or her life was in danger but it wasn’t something she felt inclined to mention.

“I’m not sure what kind of youma you’ve encountered, but I suspect they treat you and I much the same. From what I understand there is a hierarchy and I’m kind of like the red-headed stepchild, only half of what they are.” Even in the Rift, they quarrel with each other to establish dominance.

“Out of curiosity, earlier you mentioned being able to look like a cat. May I ask, which is your true form?”

Lavendulan listened carefully as he spoke. She relaxed as while he continued to speak of this place called Mau and explained more about what he was and his true form; it was truly intriguing and she found herself taking a step towards him in interest.

But then he turned the conversation back on her and she had to pause for a moment to consider his question before responding. “I think it really depends on who you encounter. Some are stuck in the old ways from before I was conscripted into the war. But there are others that newer like I am that can be kind.” Absently she reached up and with a pointed claw, she tapped one of the suspended snowflakes curiously.

“There is someone that I am currently dating. It’s complicated,” mostly because they were on a trial period and after the New Year things might stay the same or they might go back to being just neighbors again. “He’s a half-youma like I am, but he makes me happy and I feel safe when he’s around.” Unless they were sparing against one another then it was a fight where limbs and scales were on the line.

“I do have two other friends, but aside from them I go mostly ignored by the other officers.” Then again she never really cared to put herself out there or present herself as someone valuable to recruit for missions or a team. She was happy doing her own research project for Queen Laurelite even if it was a little self-serving in a way.

“I can understand why you prefer to be in this form then.” Her comment came from a point of shared sentiment. Was that not the same reason that she preferred her glamoured form? She didn’t want to be seen as someone different, Laven wanted to be treated like the other officers. Not like a monster to be wary or fearful of but as the human she was before being conscripted into this war.

She reached up, and with a pointed claw Laven tapped one of the suspended snowflakes and in the blink of an eye, the snow began falling as it had been before they started this conversation. In the not-so-far distance, she could hear the sound of vehicles in motion, slush squishing beneath their tires as they rolled slowly down the street.

A foreboding shiver raced down her spine prompting Laven to wrap her arms around herself when she looked over at the church. It wasn’t a cold chill, but her reaction was much the same due to the unwelcoming presence that seemed to roll off the structure. “I suppose we should take a hint and part ways.” She glanced up at the mauvian, however, she couldn’t find a reason to smile. If anything she actually felt sad to part ways so soon but it wouldn’t be long before someone happened upon them and unlike him, her aura would undoubtedly bring about unwanted attention.

“I hope you find happiness, Arthur. Happiness and friends who respect you for who you are, not what they want you to be.”