The Imp's comments on wasting flesh leaves a bitter taste in Hildegunde's mouth. It was odd to think she shared the same sensibilities with her attacker. The hunter makes no comment, fishing for something in her pocket as she approaches the ceremony.
Hildegunde keeps a steady gaze on the imp, quietly satisfied with Iraleth's decision - if she did not protest, Hildegunde would've. She only turns away to face Raja once Iraleth names her.
"Hardly attacked me," she says, shrugging some as she turns over a coin in her hand - the thing she had been fishing for. Save for her leg injury, which was more cumbersome now that the adrenaline was wearing down, she was fine.
"Chloe got the worst of it. And I am thankful my classmates, as I do not think she'd have come out alive if I remained alone."
As she speaks, she weaves the coin through her fingers, until it settles on her thumb. She flicks it, and the coin flips in the air, landing in her open palm. She glances down, but those accustomed to Hildegunde's gaze would notice that it lacked its usual piercing quality.
The truth was, she didn't really look at the coin at all. That was the thing about coin flips - often, it is never about the side that it lands on. In many cases, it is about discovering what you wanted all along - although want was perhaps a strong word for Hildegunde. She did not feel that strong pull at her core as the coin danced in the air. What she did feel, however, was the need to be contrarian to her Adapa's suggestion. Even with nothing else to guide her, if he wanted her to join the Sword of Wund, she would join the-
"Shield of Nero." Her delivery was only marginally above Chunji's.
AThousandCurses,
Majoraa,
JJ Doe,
Estylwen,
Akayaofthemoon,
Vec