Vasilia was many things. Few of them were casual. 

“Liu Ban may accomplish much, with effort.” She placed a hand upon his shoulder, taking great care not to encroach on the lice’s territory. “But only if he is given the chance to start right. New lives cannot be built on messy foundations. That which is ruin,” she exhaled in a hiss. “Is ruin for a reason. Whatever it once was, it is not. Whatever it once did, it does not. By all accounts?” She curled the fingers of her free hand, pondering the shape of her claws. “Best to [i]cut it out.”[/i]

And then she patted him congenially, gracing him with a smile. “Of course, a long goodbye can just as well turn to blessing than curse. See to it that it stays the former. Dolce, will this spot do?”

Dolce licked a finger, and quickly tested it against the heated metal, nodding approvingly at the sound. “Ideal temperature for lunch.”

“Brilliant. Everyone, see to our Chef Mate for rations. Rest, tend to your wounds, and keep your spears close. We march for our companions within the hour.”