“You’re looking worse for wear,” the tall, and muscular elf figure murmured as he poured himself a glass of liquor. Whatever it was, Blair assumed it was strong. Blair smiled wearily. The last adventure she found herself on had her and Thandiroq on the rocks. He’d fallen, bleeding out, and she was next--but she managed to call upon the powers of Elune at the last second to drive her final blow. It was poetic how close she came to becoming a bloody memory. Perhaps too close.
“Yeah,” the half-elven paladin replied with a wistful cadence. Her expression said more than her words, at any rate. Hypnosus couldn’t help but feel for her. She’d gone through all of this herself with only Thandiroq being the constant at her side.
“Would you like to tell me about it?” Hypno said with a coy smile spreading over his face.
“Ah, well, the crazed beasts from that last quest?” Blair said with a gentle wave of her wrist as she turned her pointed, grey eyes to him. “We took care of it. But it was rough. Really rough. Reminds me of the times that we used to adventure before finding the Forge.” Hypno nodded his head slowly.
“Well, it’s good you pulled through,” Hypno grunted as he lifted the glass of liquor to his lips. “Because I wanted to tell you that through your leadership, the Dragonforged has grown in number and popularity among the citizenry, and I’m really seeing it in the number of quests that come in daily. So good job, Blair. I hope that the people that you recruit see as much in you as I do.”
Blair grimaced slightly through a smile. In truth, she wasn’t sure. She always felt confident in following the Code, and confident on the battlefield, even when things were taking a turn for the worst. But sometimes, she felt less like a leader. Especially to the others. Thandiroq did, of course. He always followed her, despite being older. But really, she wanted to gain more out of her leadership role than just being called ‘The boss’. But she wasn’t sure that would ever happen.
It was never confirmed if Hypno could read minds. She doubted it, but he seemed to be giving her a look that belied his creative mind. Blair’s pointed ears both slanted upwards, curious as to what he was going to say.
“Blair, I’m going to tell you… you have what it takes to be a leader,” he said curtly with purpose. Blair’s eyebrows both quirked upwards in surprise. “You just need to be more assertive. So, from now on, I want you to assert yourself as a leader. Guide your comrades into battle with the strength and resolve I know you have.”
Blair felt a deep tug at her navel. He sure was pushy about this. Of course she was trying. But he wanted her to push herself more as a leader. Did she really have what it took? She wasn’t sure. There was a bit of insecurity in her gut, though the way he looked at her, with pride and assuredness, she felt a swelling, pushing the insecurities out. He really did believe in her.
“I will do my best, Hypno,” she muttered, grazing her fingertips against the map on the table. “If there’s anything I’ve got… it’s passion.”
“That’s what gets things done around here,” he said with a pointed look, his emerald eyes locking with her silvery-grey ones. “I give you my official blessing,” he adds. The corners of his lips curved upwards, giving him the appearance of someone who might know the winning numbers of a lottery. “Please go lead your comrades to many more adventures with it.”
Blair had no words that could express the determination she felt in her gut. The pain she endured from her last adventure had all but evaporated as it was replaced with adrenaline. “Right,” she murmured before turning back to the door. “I will, then.”
