[b]Alone With a Witch[/b]

Giriel? Is there a Giriel here? Ah, yes, good to see you, glad you could join us today. Please, take a seat. Would you like some water? Tea? Light refreshments? Thank you for stopping by on such short notice. We were just hoping to ask: What the hell?!

There is a [i]script[/i] to this crap. Always has been. Han didn't write it, but somebody sure did, and it’s played out the same way every day of her life. See, she just did the part where she talks about doing something she knows you wouldn't approve of, with every intention of doing it no matter what you say. Now, this is a pretty loose scene here, and you have a lot of choices for what to do next. Maybe you tell her how stupid she is? That's a popular one. Or, if you're feeling less spiteful, you could always tell her that she can't actually do it, and things will go horribly wrong if she tries. Maybe with or without actually telling her that, and pretending she's not smart enough to read between the line. Then there’s grounding her, slapping her upside the head, shame upon her whole family, there's options! Loads of options!

None of those options involve hugs! What are you doing?! You're off script! She had all sorts of real great grunts and snarks ready to go, and now look. She's completely lost the plot. How’s she supposed to know what to do now?! She hears you, and she knows what those words mean, and she even knows what they mean in that order. Maybe not said to her, but still. Her mouth twitches, a big grin bulldozing all the confusion away.

"Heh. Yeah I did." 

Okay, that's something. That's all the defiance and pride she been saving up, just, not directed at you. Or anyone. And, without anywhere for it to go, it settles right back down to her heart. A proud, sturdy fortress from which she can take on the whole world.

Just before you let go, her hand snakes up and gets a hold of your arm, and maybe she's not sure what she's doing, or what yo’re doing, but she gives it a little squeeze anyway. It feels right. Shut up.

And hey; she’s still got her second cup to share with you. She swirls it around, taking in the rich aroma, and a few more words sneak out of her before she can think to stop them. "It's....nice that [i]someone[/i] appreciates it."

Don't you go asking for more, Giriel. You've worked enough tricky magic on her for one afternoon;  let the poor girl enjoy her tea. Take the fruits of your meddling and be happy with that. Your little Han knows you're proud of her. 

And if Giri - the coolest witch a girl could hope to know - thinks she's doing alright, well. Then it just might be true.

[Clearing [b]Insecure[/b]]

********************

[b]And Then There Was Uusha[/b]

(Oh gods let it be true.)

The Han who sits before you all is a changed Han. No more the out of control, raging bonfire of passion, out to destroy her foes and everything that gets in her way. She reclines jauntily in her seat. She raises her cup to the Stag Knight in respect, when Giri motions to her. She is the coiled predator. The immovable mountain, ready to erupt in unquenchable fire. She is, unquestionably, extremely cool and knows exactly what she's doing. 

"Name's Han." She adds after Giri says her piece. "I'm gonna go tear down Kingeater Castle once the damn rain lets up. Nice to meetcha" And she's so confident she'll win, she takes a long, slow sip of her cup of tea.

How's [i]that[/i], Stag Knight?