[b]Althalus[/b]

[color=00aeef]"And you've never lost control?"[/color] The assassin reminded her gently. [color=00aeef]"We've all made our mistakes, Alaira. Put too much trust in something, thought we could maintain our cool, the list goes on. I thought I could protect Mar and Lyn from all the threats going against them. I can't. Everything that has nearly gotten them has brushed past me without a second thought. Xyden, the Demon you killed, her exact copy, the list goes on. You've forgiven me for my mistakes, so why not his?"[/color]

He gestured towards her stomach. [color=00aeef]"Your scars aren't battle scars, true. But they're scars to be proud of. You didn't earn them slaying some beast, fighting a champion of some army, or conquering some city. You earned them protecting the lives I couldn't. You preserved rather than destroyed. As for your face..."[/color] He gave a small shrug. [color=00aeef]"I don't think they grafted someone's face onto your own. After all, if they had a face they doubtlessly had a stomach too. They would have grafted someone's stomach onto yours too. You were simply lucky enough that they managed to repair the damage done to your face before it was so bad they couldn't." [/color]

[color=00aeef]"Wait here."[/color] He ducked back into the room, checking on Mar. A few moments later, he came back out fully dressed. [color=00aeef]"Mar's asleep. We're gonna let her rest and head into the Fair. We both could use a day off."[/color]