Verissa relaxed after it was evident that Asher was going to do her no harm, that he even seemed put off at the idea. She didn't flinch as he touched her back, her shoulder.

[color=f6989d][b]"I don't know. When the rumors of people with magic started, more rumors followed that they were being rounded up or killed. People did disappear. But then... well a Knight that seemed knowledgeable on the matter... told me otherwise. But when mine appeared, for a year I lived in fear of just one day being gone."[/b][/color]

When he made his admission, she relaxed further, moving into the apparent safety of his chest. She had despised the fear she'd lived under, but there were other things that had been nice. She had her home, her own little purpose in life, and... her loneliness. It had all been so quaint and dull, which was perhaps why she was never able to settle for Edoward. Her home gone, her purpose lost, what did she really have left?

Her parents.

But she didn't live with them. They lived in the capital. But she knew her dad would be worried sick, her mother less so, more embarrassed that her only child might be a heathen. She wished she could contact her father, to at least tell him that she was alright. But she knew that to be impossible. She pressed her palms gently against Asher's firm chest, looking up at him as he stroked her hair, forcing out the words that were mostly true. [color=f6989d][b]"There isn't anything left there for me. I only have what is here."[/b][/color]

Her eyes softened as she looked at him, the tears fading. [color=f6989d][b]"I would prefer to not have to hide it anymore. I just... I need to practice with it more."[/b][/color] Then with a light smile, she gently pushed herself away from his chest, [color=f6989d][b]"But for now, I need to work on my cooking."[/b][/color] Standing before the stove now, she stirred at it, feeling the last of her desires to go home fade into the little whirlpool she'd made. She looked over her shoulder, and in her thick accent, in Kvaren, [color=f6989d][b]"Thank you, Asher,"[/b][/color] accompanied by a genuine smile.

After a bit, the stew was ready, and she ladled it into bowls, handing one to Asher, [color=f6989d][b]"I hope it's okay. Would you mind telling me more about this..."[/b][/color] she used the Kvaren word for [color=f6989d][b]"Gathering?"[/b][/color]