[center][h2][color=plum]Dwyn[/color][/h2][/center]
[hider=These people...]
Dwyn looked away as Nera spoke to her, brow furrowing as she frowned. No matter what was said, the truth was simply that those feelings were improper for one such as her. Not her place. The fact that anyone, even a goddess, could so easily pick up on it was unacceptable. [color=plum][i]I have to do better.[/i][/color]

Her essence surrounded her as she was lost in thought, a speck of silver at the centre. The colour was slightly dull, but otherwise untarnished. Part of her felt it was appropriate, though she couldn't quite say why.

To tell the truth, as Nera had advised, would be to question why these were the ones to be sent on what the squire could only assume was a just and righteous mission - for at least some of them appeared anything but. Perhaps the marks of her past defined her expectations, perhaps not. In either case, she was hesitant to call them scars. Though to speak up about the sense of disappointment, for lack of a better word, that accompanied her first impressions, would only breed discord. In that moment, she thought she understood what Nera meant about the weight they carried.

So, shameful as it was to ignore the advice of one so high above her, Dwyn did not tell the truth. Did not berate the arrogance, the craven disregard for their station, the overall ignoble nature of her so-called companions. Instead she watched, almost reverent, as the goddess began her dance, though she couldn't help but flinch at the blade that pointed to her chest. No matter how she tried to convince herself otherwise, the young woman's faith wasn't so unconditional.

The number of new sensations she'd dealt with since waking was far more than she would have liked, the nothingness of the blade that entered her only adding to the list. It seemed to stretch just long enough to be uncomfortable before exiting through the other side. She barely had time to examine the black weapon before it latched onto her. After a second to get over her shock, she examined it. Not quite a sword, that was clear. Not quite a spear, either. It took her a second to think of the word as she turned it over in her hands.

A halberd, that was it. Slightly unfamiliar, but not too difficult to figure out. The weapon was tall enough to be slightly irritating, even if it did make up for her own relative lack of reach. Again, it was difficult for Dwyn to be thankful for the goddess's 'gift'. Between that and the stigma, this unnatural magic unnerved her. Knowing the blades had been no threat, however, she felt her cheeks beginning to burn with embarrassment at her cowardice. Of course they hadn't been.

Mind, it seemed that she was doing better than some, as the impudent red-haired girl somehow managed to trip and fall into the abyss, followed by the man with the glowing eye. Again, she found herself unsure of Nera's selection process - if there had been one, for it seemed increasingly likely that it was based simply on blind luck. For her part, Dwyn was certain there were many more accomplished scholars and warriors among those who had trained her. Noble, selfless fighters for justice. Her own selection was as much a mystery as anyone here.

But she was certain she could competently walk down some stairs, especially when, according to their only guide, it was connected to a realm of nightmares. Nodding solemnly to the goddess's explanation, Dwyn was not swift to leave the hall. She glanced back at the goddess before descending, feeling a slight pang of guilt. [color=plum]"...I'm afraid I can't take your advice."[/color] Not yet, anyway. [color=plum]"But take comfort that I don't plan on failing you any other way."[/color]

With that, she turned and walked down the stairs, closing her eyes as she entered the abyss.[/hider]
[hr]
Dwyn opened her eyes, trying to put the nightmarish visions behind her. After all, they were little more than dreams. Allowing them to trouble her was unnecessary, considering how much she had on her mind already. Though the dull ache that seemed to run over every inch of her skin certainly felt like more than a simple trick of the imagination. Outright unpleasant, in fact.

For a second, she wondered if it had been more than just a nightmare. But such creeping doubts were again only a hindrance to their mission. The frustration she felt with herself was certainly familiar, though it remained unconnected to any particular memories for the moment. 

She stood, caring little about the grime and dirt on her clothes as she took hold of the black halberd once more. It seemed unlikely that she would be able to leave it behind, and there was every chance that this world would be hostile and unforgiving. Creatures of chaos, lawbreakers, monsters... They could lurk around every corner. Perhaps finding those who trained her would help, but she didn't know where to start.

Right now, she took in her surroundings, glancing around the room with slight shock crossing her expression. Yes, it was the same one that they had been lead to before, though obviously not quite the same. It seemed that some of her companions were here too, which Dwyn had mixed feelings about. They hadn't exactly come off as the most competent sorts so far, at least in her opinion.

In particular, the two who'd already began wandering off were concerning. Both in terms of attitude, and the fact that they were wandering off before all of their companions were even present. And the one with the extra eye was odd, but at least not doing anything that worried her. For now, she decided it would be best to wait until they were all present, though it was obvious that she was keeping an eye on the pair by the doorway in case they decided to go any further. Not hostile, just concerned for the quest's sake. It wouldn't do for their group to be split up so early.