[centre][color=coral][h3]Lucca the Redeemer[/h3][/color][/centre] Well...Lucca felt uncomfortable. Between the two women arguing, the creepy apple thief doll moving on its own, the beast’s punishment, the other beast’s sudden criticism of the monochrome haired girl’s behavior… Lucca shook her head. This was...not exactly what she had imagined when Roland pitched the expedition to her. She glanced over her shoulder at a number of Royal Guardsmen marching in step. Disciplined soldiers...well...they made up the majority here. That, at least, seemed normal. But these others - these contractors...were they truly suited for such a task? … She had strong doubts about the Master, the fox-beast, and the slave. Too arrogant, too impulsive, and too...reliant. Roland had gone into length about his ideal warrior time and time again. Calm-minded. Patient. Aggressive. Could any of them be a reliable asset in battle…? Though, to be fair, they could likely ask the same about her. And could she? She liked to think of herself as rather composed...but she was untested. She hadn’t seen real combat. And to be honest, she wasn’t even the best in her combat lessons. Had she improved since the start? Certainly. But how could she apply those lessons into actual combat? She desperately needed experience. But enough with that. Roland wouldn’t have accepted the mission if he didn’t think the crew competent. Lucca would do well to learn from the others. Such was her task, as assigned by the Oathkeeper himself. She would not disappoint. Alright then...if those three were uhm...off the table for now, how’s about... Ah. Yes. Now, the other two seemed a bit more promising. The newcomer, an older looking woman that had been quite a ways off ahead of the group, had come to retrieve her familiar before he got himself injured. Smart woman. She at least had some the foresight to know when things could go bad. That could prove useful in a life/death situation. She also seemed a bit...scattered, from the little Lucca had seen about her. The other older looking woman had something of an aura about her...Odd. Lucca couldn’t quite place it. It intrigued her though. Yet not more than what the girl represented. That confidence...she had to develop her own. If she wanted to be useful, she had to develop confidence...but that was easier said than done. … Wait...perhaps...perhaps Roland knew of this? Perhaps Roland knew this...what did she say her name was? Katherine Lindall? If he did know her...then perhaps it was his goal for Lucca to study the woman and...perhaps...learn a thing or two? … Hmm… no. Her senior was a brilliant man, sure, but uh...truth be told, this whole deal sort of stunk of trademarked Roland improvisation. … Ahh. She was overthinking things again. All she had to do was go have a little conversation. Whatever happened from there, happened. Start with hello… Lucca gave the order to her mount, who slowed her trot. Lucca brought herself in-line with the confident woman and matched her pace. She took a very brief moment to compose herself, breathing deeply, before looking over at the other girl. [color=coral]“Pardon! Would you happen to have a moment to speak?”[/color] she called out, her voice shaking from her trembling nerves. A beat passed before Lucca’s eyes opened a bit wider and her cheeks filled with color once more. [color=coral]“Oh...terribly sorry. Where are our manners? Introductions are in order, no? This one is known as...uhm...Lucca. A pleasure.”[/color] The saint turned her attention forward immediately after speaking, checking the road...well...in truth, she was feeling accomplished. Stiff it may have been, but Lucca had at least attempted to chat with...well...anybody outside of the church. The witnesses would be so proud of her. Still...it felt...weird. Wrong even. She was half-expecting to be attacked for addressing a Master without their permission. … Well...technically that [i][b][u]COULD[/u][/b][/i] still happen, she supposed. Anything could happen so long as it was the will of The Lady Serafina.