Welcome to Gaia! ::

Feeling doubtful of his words, Laven struggled to smile as he helped her to her feet. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him as opposed to the fact she felt like a coward and a fool. However, she had to remind herself that he had experience where she did not.

Before all this, she was a research analyst and diver extraordinaire, not a fighter as he was trying to teach her to be. Self-defense had never been even a mild interest which meant she didn’t even know how to throw a proper punch, but with claw like the one she was supporting would that have even been the right move? Honestly, she wasn’t sure.

“Perhaps just something to drink for now, if that’s alright. I don’t really have the stomach to eat anything at the moment.” She offered him a grimace half-grin that looked more like a warry apologetic expression than anything.

At the mention of getting a King or Queen involved, Laven reacted without thinking and grabbed hold of his arm. Forgetting about her claws she held on firmly. “No- no, no Sovereigns, please.” The thought of having their eyes look her way terrified Laven in a way she couldn’t explain.

When Lopezite left her in the barracks and went back to his life in Destiny City, she stayed in her room for most of the day. Only leaving briefly to get food from the cafeteria otherwise avoiding much contact with the other officers. Being acutely aware of how different she was made it hard to look anyone in the eyes.

“S-sorry, there’s no need to bother them with this.” Her grip on his arm loosened and her head leaned forward against his shoulder. Just let me hide a little longer please…

Laven hid her face against the fabric of his uniform and just numbly nodded her head.

She felt embarrassed and weak, but above all else she felt confused. There was more to being a half-youma than she realized. There weren't only physical changes her body went through, but also magical.

Being able to breathe under water was one thing, but becoming water itself... that was a revelation she hadn't been prepared for. If anything it kind of startled her. Monsters and magic kind of hard to digest all at once.

"Thank you, Lopezite." Laven's voice was quiet but she was fairly sure he heard her just the same. At least he wasn't leaving her to figure this out on her own; for that she was grateful.