zelda hawthorne

the sun shall always rise

[hxwthornes]

{ zelda hawthorne }

❀ BASICS ❀

NAME: Zelda Hawthorne NICKNAMES: N/A AGE: 63 BIRTHDAY: May 25 SPECIES: Light Elf OCCUPATION: Owner of Sweet Apothecary SEXUALITY: Straight RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Married RESIDENCE: Trade District Home FACECLAIM: Margot Robbie

[ TRIGGERS: DEATH ]

❀ TRAITS ❀

POSITIVE: Outgoing, Generous, Elegant, Loving NEGATIVE: Restless, Stubborn, Shallow, Conceited STRENGTHS: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Nature Magic, Elf Charm WEAKNESSES: Dark Magic, Poison, Iron, Fire

❀ BIOGRAPHY ❀

Far north of Crirtha lies the elven city Ainésilver, high in the mountains, secluded, and to some, something equivalent to a paradise. But for Miles and Poppy Hawthorne, it slowly began to feel like a prison. Elves of Ainésilver were forward thinkers and strategists, minds focused on armor, on wars, on how to stay in the good graces of the neighboring countries to avoid bloodshed on their soil. The city wasn’t always that way, and the Hawthornes knew that, but as members of the elite society, they had tougher decisions to make. Raise their children in an increasingly closed-minded place, somewhere with a superiority complex rising to an increasingly dangerous level, or return to nature, the roots of their beloved city and its original ideology. Zelda and her brother, River, were children.

They were met with outrage and confusion, those around them too comfortable within the glittering magic and splendor that Ainésilver became, forgetting their sacred soil was the foundation of the levels, buildings, and homes - not their glittering coin. The Hawthornes abdicating was unspeakable to many, but they were no fools. The centuries of powerful family lineage left them with gold, with their magical connection to the earth - and they had each other. They couldn’t ask for much more.

The Hawthornes settled in the woods of Destarin, far enough from the city as to surround themselves in the comfort of nature, but close enough where they would not isolate their two children from opportunity, should it arise. Miles and Poppy were raised royalty, their futures written for them, and there was an opportunity for their two miracles to forge their own path.

Even as a child, Zelda showed kindness and compassion to others - her father jokingly insinuating she may never stop acting like a proper royal - simply because it was the right thing to do. Her free time was spent in libraries and walking the streets, a friendly (and talkative) smile learning about all walks of life and the people that crossed through. She had grown so fond of being around so many people. While the woods had her family, and while that meant a lot to her, she couldn’t stay in their pseudo-isolation forever. Like her parents, she needed to do something on her own, for once.

Quickly after Zelda had moved herself into the city, she met a man - a human, who had lived in Destarin his whole life. A poor family, not much magical prowess, but the Hawthornes welcomed him with open arms. Zelda loved him, and he loved her in kind. Despite the acknowledgement that as a mortal, he could succumb to mortal ailments and injury, they married and spent 9 blissful years together. They owned a bakery in the Trade District and settled in a flat above it, spending their days running the business and traversing along the paths of the Destarin woods, and nights with friends and good drink - blissfully happy.

Until one night, it was discovered that the cobbler’s shop next door to theirs was a front for a weapon smuggling operation, who had angered the wrong rivals. A few misplaced fire bombs, a shift of the wind, and all that she had built, came crumbling down. Nothing was left but the remains of a home, of a business, and of a love.

That was a 3 years ago. Zelda hadn’t sworn vengeance on whoever was responsible, in the matter that she would not track down, hunt, or otherwise dedicate her life to those who ruined hers. Instead, she poured what she could into charity, into being a beacon of hope to any sick, needy, or otherwise struggling entity - not always the wisest of choices, considering the types that sometimes tended to walk the streets - but if she could make the city a bit better one person at a time, she would.

Though, there was a sharpened rapier on her wall engraved with her former husband’s name, always at the ready. It was by chance the fire had shifted that night, so who’s to say it won’t be “by chance” that the arsonist responsible wouldn’t cross paths with Zelda? Time went on, and elves had plenty of time.

❀ HEADCANONS ❀

Husband's name was Bennett. He was human.

Has one younger brother, River. She's four years older.

Is quite proficient with archery.

Has a silver rapier with her husband's name engraved on the hilt that she keeps behind the counter of Sweet Apothecary.

Has a fear of fire, given how her husband died.

Wardrobe consists of lots of flowing dresses and almost exclusively gold/white gold jewelry.

Roses are her favorite flowers.

Keeps a vigorous journal, and all the ones she's finished have their own shelf above the door to her bedroom.

Walks barefoot everywhere if she can help it, or typically thinner soled sandals.

Can play the guitar and harp.

A big reader - can be found at the library at least once a week.

❀ CONNECTIONS ❀

Noah Callaghan | Friend Emiliana Nills | Employee/Friend Evelyn Scourge | Friend Lilith Scourge | Friend Francesco Trappatoni | Friend Taurus Volkov | Hookup

[wolf-of-muriel]

@hxwthornes

Root was mesmerised by the way the festivities of so many cultures were celebrated in Destarin compared to any other place they'd visited over the years. It almost felt... festive. Filled with all emotions, filled with community. They could almost see themself making a home here, sticking around and having this kind of experience every year. But they might not win any favours when they inevitably captured the newest elected mayor.

"Do you know why people are wearing masks?" they asked the first person who happened to pass by their standing table at the bar.

[hxwthornes]

Zelda herself didn't participate in the masks - personally, she didn't know many people who died except for Bennett, but he wasn't vengeful to her. She didn't think, at least. She left the appropriate offerings and whatnot for him every year, and even outside of the celebrations. Though she understood the desire for those to feel the need to participate, and always felt a pang of sorrow for them. For whatever reason, the thought of spirits being vengeful made her feel bad for both souls involved - those for their unfortunate deaths, and those that were put in those positions to kill. She'd been in Destarin long enough where she was familiar with all the rites regardless, so when she was approached by a stranger, she gave a patient smile and looked around at the number of masked individuals. "Oh, are you new to the city?" she asked. "It's one of our Month of the Veil traditions, though it's more of a Rocheilles thing than any other area. It's to help protect from any potentially vengeful spirits that may try to find their killers."

[hxwthornes]

[hxwthornes]

Oftentimes, when Zelda wandered through the streets of Destarin, she wondered how things would have been with her husband still by her side. Would they have had kids? Would they have still had the bakery, or would they have gone on to something different? Would they have eventually left? The latter she doubted - this place was his home, and she enjoyed it far more than the loneliness living amongst nature could be. Zelda was a people person more than a trees and bugs person, despite her heritage.

And she wasn't much of a drinker, but it was getting later in the evening when she was on her walk and she didn't think she was in the spirit of cooking anything. Being in the home alone tonight had the potential to get her saddened about the past, so it was for the best she would at least be in public, surrounded by others. Chance had it that a familiar face was sitting at one as well, likely having a similar idea as her for camaraderie, even if it was from near strangers. Well, strangers would be no more, as Zelda sat down beside her acquaintance. "You aren't waiting for anyone, I hope?" she said, as her greeting. "I'd hate to take a seat away from another."

@taurusvolkov

[hxwthornes]

Zelda sometimes felt like she was something of an outsider when it came to celebrations during the Month of the Veil. She wasn't originally from Destarin, and she lived in the center of all three of the neighborhoods - she didn't feel like she truly belonged to one, and never knew which was the right ritual to partake in. In years past, she'd alternate a bit, just so she could experience everything the city had to offer, especially when she first moved. Bennett and his family were from the Crirtha region, and had typically gone to cemeteries and pour wine over the graves of those in the family who had passed.

She did that too, ever since he passed away, but it always felt... not him. Zelda rarely visited his grave, preferring to be reminded of him in his personal things - it felt more comforting to wear a shirt of his around the house, or rereading some of his writings, rather than visiting a piece of stone with his name etched in it. It was the end of the evening and she was just wrapping up dinner - she had decided to eat at her porch tonight - when she noticed a familiar silhouette coming up her walkway. "Evelyn?" she said, pleasantly surprised, but still surprised, at her friend's appearance. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

@evelynscourge

[hxwthornes]

Zelda knew that these times were going to be a little tougher than most. It wasn't her first Month of the Veil, and it certainly wasn't her first without Bennett, but... that didn't mean it got any easier. While she lived in the center of the Trade District, Halhain was always the ritual that she gravitated towards. Year after year, she made the same dish and had the same traditions with it - two plates set at the kitchen table, one for her and one for Bennett, and she continued the night as if he was right beside her. The uneaten meal would get left out, in the event his spirit was around, and hungry.

It was always there the next day, but she would never cease.

The meal required though typically had some of her soup served in a bowl made of bread, a quirky trick Bennett's family had always done that had passed itself along to Zelda. And she was always happy to give Caspian some of her services - a widower, similar to herself a widow, made her feel a bit more at home. It was similar to how she felt with her friendship to Evelyn - those who had lost a spouse experienced a specific kind of grief only others who had been through similar could have. The bell over the door rang as she entered and she inhaled the smell of sourdough and breadcrumbs, giving the man behind the counter a bright smile. "Good afternoon, Caspian," she said. She carried a small bag of candies - some regular, and some magically surprised - and slid it across the counter. "For the little ones. Though if you look carefully, there's a smaller bag in there just for you." A small pouch would contain chocolate covered almonds with a faint hint of whiskey. "How are you?"

@caspiandomergue

[littlewitchlilim]

"I can do a glamour easily enough," the witch offered back at the idea of turning her hair or eyes fun colors. Likely it was why her ... hobbies went mostly unnoticed. Lilim often disguised herself when she went hunting at night. It was the fear of her victims that spawned her interest less than getting away with things - well, it wasn't entirely under anyone's noses in Destarin, was it? "But flying sounds fun!" The witch could levitate things easily enough with her wand, but never had applied such magic to her own being. The imitation of fairy wings would be possible, but they'd hardly be functional.

She didn't know how to explain her particular brand of magic to Zelda. She didn't know how to explain it to most people. It was often something she had to demonstrate, and at the moment was without stuffies or figurines. "I make things move that shouldn't," was the best she could offer. "It kind of scares people sometimes." Often times, but she was old enough in her second century to understand that she should soften certain things about herself when it came to strangers.

[hxwthornes]

"Make things move that shouldn't?" she repeated, raising a brow in curiosity. "Like an inanimate object?" All Zelda could think about was the convenience of something like that - imagine making a mop or a brush move. It would make cleaning and getting ready in the morning far easier, in her opinion. "Feel free to show me some time!" If it was something simple, maybe she could learn it and figure out a way to bottle it up.

"I do have some samples of chocolate covered strawberries downstairs - I made them just last night," she said, with a sweet smile. "The potions and the powers are what gets people to come in, the candy is typically what makes them come back. I think I may expand it a bit more, but I'm not sure yet."

[catscratch-jackson]

It really wasn't uncommon for Jackson to spend much of his time as a cat. It was easier to survive a lot of the time, and it was one of the main ways Jackson was able to run from any of his troubles. Turning his brain off and letting himself run off of his feline instincts was just habit for him at this point.

Jackson had started prowling around the sweets shop regularly when he spotted the owner putting out food and milk for the other strays. It was starting to become a bit of a routine for him, as the sun started setting he'd make his way over to the shop to see if the kind woman had set anything out for the strays.

Padding around the corner, he spotted the saucer of milk and moved to head straight towards it but jumped slightly, startled as the woman spoke. He hadn't paid enough attention to see her curled up in her chair when he'd rounded the corner. He remained still as she beaconed him towards her, tilting his head slightly. Had this been the first time he'd encountered the woman, he probably would have dashed off at her voice, but this woman had fed him for weeks now, and he couldn't help the way he cautiously moved towards her.

If asked when he was in his human body, he would deny that he enjoyed being pet at all, but given the chance at a bit of comfort from someone who'd offered him kindness? It was something he couldn't refuse when he found himself on four legs. He moved towards the woman slowly, suspiciously reaching his nose forward to give her fingers a sniff before nudging his head into her hand.

[hxwthornes]

Zelda bit back a squeal of excitement when the cat came closer and her lips curled up into a smile. This is what she'd been waiting for! He was so cute and she was already so curious if he had a name, or where he was coming from - stray animals were a dime a dozen in the city, and she always wanted a pet. She was gone so often with the shop that she felt she couldn't give one enough attention, though.

She made her best to shift without startling him, to make the space look cozier. In her chair, with a blanket, her legs were crossed in a way to make something of a crater for him to jump up and nuzzle if he so pleased. Zelda lightly rubbed her knuckles into the side of his head, in case her nails were too sharp. She wanted to make sure he knew her scnet. Slowly, Zelda took her hand away and watched him sniff around, seeing how he interacted with her space. Carefully, she leaned over and pushed her back door open slightly ajar, if he wanted to go in.

[nolan-callaghan]

While Nolan had lived in the area for many years and been through the chaos that the moon brought to them, he never seemed to anticipate just how much there would be to do after. This time of year was easily his busiest, and Nolan found himself working around the clock. Not that he really minded having so much to keep him busy when he would not be able to sleep otherwise. It did, however, leave him feeling ragged and tired, and by the time he had finished any major time-sensitive repairs for folks and was helping people like Zelda, the exhaustion was starting to show even more than usual.

Nolan squinted up at Zelda from where he was crouched working to replace one of the support beams and as usual, he found himself momentarily at a loss for words. At the best of times, Nolan was a bumbling mess around women, thanks to having been raised around only other young men for much of his formative years. But Zelda, well, she left him even more flustered than most. It was just that she looked so angelic with the way the sun lit up her golden hair and the sweetness in her voice when she talked to Nolan--well he just wasn't really sure what to do with that, is all.

So instead of kindly refusing like he would with so many others, more worried about staying on schedule with the many repairs that needed to be done, Nolan nodded with a little 'okay'. He quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead with a rag as he stood, following her to sit at the little table and taking the drink with a small, but grateful smile.

"Thank you, it is very hot out today," he said before taking a long sip from the drink, "but I should have the awning fixed by this evening."

[hxwthornes]

Zelda was something of a caretaker at heart, especially for those that were doing favors for her. After Bennett had died, and the way that the people in her life rallied around her... she never forgot about it. She liked the fact that she lived and operated a business in such a bustling spot, because there was such a community to be had, everyone always looking out for each other. Candies to a little girl a few doors down who just turned five years old, a bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries to a man who lost his ailing mother - it was nice.

And Nolan was always doing little favors around for her. Fixing scaffolding, painting, maintenance that Zelda couldn't solve herself. There had to have been a reason why, and Zelda could wager a guess - he always seemed to enjoy keeping his hands busy. Besides, he was so quiet that the elf wanted to make sure he was included in the community. Satisfied that he listened to her, she took a seat on her chair and poured the drinks, waiting for him to do the same. "It doesn't have to be this evening," she told him. "You can take a break and come back another day." She folded her arms and leaned over the table. "I hope that your shop was fixed up first? If it had any damage, that is."

[hxwthornes]

Zelda playfully rolled her eyes at her friend's comment. If it made her feel better, though, she'd oblige and stick to her own sustenance. "Well, that's good at least," she sighed. "Not that people have to piece things back together, but it's nice to know there's not carnage in the streets." She was typically a positive person and delighted herself as such, but she couldn't help but assume the worst sometimes in situations like these. It must have been her own past dealings that made her think that way - she didn't like it, but it was a bit anxiety inducing. Luckily, if no one could endure what she had, she'd sleep easier at night.

"I doubt it, too," she said. "Look, when there's this many people with magic in their blood - in whatever capacity - all within the same city limits, it's not if, but when something goes awry. I heard a lot of howling, so if it were any werewolves, or shapeshifters, I'm sure the moon affects them in ways I can't understand." She popped a piece of strawberry in her mouth. "Besides, can you imagine the guilt, thinking you might've harmed someone, but you can't remember for certain?"

[evelynscourge]

To some degree they sort of did have to piece things back together, or someone did at the very least. Another reason that Evelyn was convinced that it was not anyone within Destarin that had been the reason for all the carnage. It seemed a point to be made that without any sort of formalised government there were not people whose duty it was to clean up and so it fell on the citizens to do so. A cruelty that Evelyn believed was enacted by a difference force. "Hopefully within the week everything will look as it did," she acknowledged with a nod.

It was sweet that Zelda was ready to say it was an act lacking premeditation, that people had simply been unable to control themselves, but, at least in Evelyn's books the killings were too clean an act to be perpetrated by those affected by the moon. Still, she did not want to worry her further with her own conspiracies that might amount to nothing at all. "Eventually, hopefully, we will know, though maybe never, some things are but a mystery."

With a slow rise from her chair Evelyn knew she needed to check on some other establishments, show her face to those that paid for protection and that day had not had it. "There is more work for me to do," she shared with Zelda. "We shall see each other soon though. We deserve an evening of drinks and entertainment."

[leopold--dawson]

“It is evident your hard work pays off,” he commented.  The fae never thought about just giving the simplicity of chocolate.  Few people do not delight in their taste and it was always a nice gift.  “Is there a certain fruit you recommend?  I have only had orange infused chocolate and long ago something with some kind of pepper that gave it some heat.”  Listening as the woman listed different potions, he nodded.  For him, he wanted something more powerful but did not want to actually say what he was looking for because he did not know the woman well enough.  As his friend thought, something fun with her appearance could brighten her day.  “I think I will take one of those that change appearance, she would get a laugh out of it.”  And that was the sole reason he came in today.

As his blue eyes wandered around the store, he looked over at the worker.  “How long have you been doing?"

[hxwthornes]

She smiled at that - always happy to take a compliment and run with it, but especially about the work she did. Zelda was no stranger to physical compliments (it was an elf thing) and while those were always nice, the candy store had been a bit of a leap of faith on her end and every time someone found any sort of joy in it, or told her their good feelings about it, it always lifted her spirits. "I'm a bit biased because they're my favorites, and I know they're a bit common, but chocolate covered strawberries really are some of the best desserts out there," she said. His words made her feel good, so she plucked one from the case and moved back around to him, offering one for him to try himself.

"How long has the store been open?" she asked. "About a year now. I had a bakery before, with my husband, but it was burned down, so... had to pivot a bit!"

[taurusvolkov]

Taurus gave a slow nod when she commented he had spoken quite quickly without breath. The wolf wanted to get it out, to stop thinking about all that grime he had dealt with throughout the day, less concerned with talking about it as he was with simply reminding himself he was clean again.

Taurus stepped inside the woman's home, heavy boots wandering towards the lounge within the home, sitting down and immediately parting his legs, used to taking up the spaces he was in without thought. Even if he typically had been able to consider other's his mind was as foggy as she perceived it to be and presently all he was thinking was that she had told him he could sit.

"No, that's what worries me, none of us saw anything, not that any of the pack said anyway," Taurus answered, large hands covered in the myriad of steel rings he wore to keep his body temperature down brushing over his pants. "I didn't, I don't - well, I don't remember much being in that state." Normally he was so connected to his wolf but on nights like that, where the moon was so dominant in his behaviour, he only saw flashes of what had happened. "But what happened...well, a wolf wouldn't have been capable."

Taurus' dark eyes lifted to look over Zelda however. "Are you okay?"

[hxwthornes]

He sat and while it may have just been Zelda's own imagination, she thought she could see him relax a little. That made her feel good, always wanting her house to be a sort of refuge for those who needed it. She wanted an open door policy with those in her life, to feel comfortable themselves coming in and out. Always one to stay busy, she had to force down the desire to get up and make tea, or make something, something to keep her hands occupied while they spoke about the last few nights.

Zelda had no idea what it was like to lose control of her body, of her mind, in the way that others did. Some may call any werewolves slaves to the moon, and she supposed in a sense that was true, but Taurus struck her as someone who with the confidence to move beyond limitations of that nature. Her brows furrowed and she wracked her brain, trying to think of any creature that could have been responsible for what she'd seen, and what Taurus had described. There were many things to fear in this life, sure, but the unexplainable could have been one of the worst. "Me? Oh, I'm fine," she said, waving her hand as if to wave that very notion away. "It's nice to know you're alright, though. I thought I heard howling at some point, I was a little worried. Maybe against my better judgement," she added with a chuckle.

[hxwthornes]

"Wren!"

Perfect timing. Zelda was eager to get a start on her day, but one distraction led to another and she ended up rearranging her living room for the past two hours, going through every book and piece of anything she felt she no longer needed. She was about to start on her room when she spotted a familiar, curly head out the window. A reason to get herself started on her errands for the afternoon - she had flowers to get, fruit to pick, food to buy for dinner later. "Stay right there, hold on!"

She changed quickly from her working clothes into a floor length sundress and sandals. The sun was shining brightly and the elf hoped her friend hadn't had anything too important to attend to for the day. It was the perfect weather for lingering, for dawdling, and enjoying the fresh air.

Zelda met him a few paces from her front door, giving his arm and affectionate squeeze and kissing his cheek, before linking elbows and guiding him in whatever direction he'd already been walking in. A small basket sat with her free hand. "Wherever you're going, I'd like to join you today."

@wrennightwood

[hxwthornes]

A letter was handed to Zelda Hawthorne after the announcement of the Council’s chosen members by a Husk who appeared as a minotaur, her name written in elegant script across expensive velvety paper.

Ms Zelda Hawthorne,

In considering what may become of some of the ballots taken today it was decided that, should certain events occur, the council would, in addition to direct roles, offer support to our new Governor in other capacities.

We would like to offer you position as personal advisor to the Governor.

This position would not mean you were obligated to attend council meetings, though you could, but more to be someone he might turn to if he were to feel unsure about his position on things. With your background we felt that you would be the appropriate person to offer him guidance, you lineage is still regarded highly in Crirtha and we plead the case for you to be the most appropriate counter to the Governor’s proclivities. He will be made aware of the offer to you and we would suggest you accept it.

Regards,

Regina d'Crirtha Diletta Amato.

The brief chaos that was the closing of election night was one that Zelda was eager to brush past even as it was happening.  She wasn’t all that disappointed in losing - she tried, and that had been enough for her.  The elf was ready to put it behind her and continue on her way.  She had turned to the back of her chair, to gather the purse that she had slung around the back, and instead was face to face with a person in a mask.  It startled her, with a noise of surprise and a hand over her chest, but she took the delicate note and opened it, under the table to read in private.  

Zelda was... surprised, to say the least, about it.  She had quickly put the thought of government work to bed when Bellamy’s name was read aloud instead of hers.  But this... she didn’t know the new governor very well, and wasn’t even sure if he’d accept her help.  And what if she was overstepping?  

This felt too good to pass up, though.  So, she stood, and shook the hand of the masked messenger:  she was in.

[hxwthornes]

[dryad-rowan]

@hxwthornes

Location: Zelda's Home

Having grown up in Destarin Forest, Rowan had very few friends outisde of both her mothers and the stragglers who visited here and there. There were also the people she observed using the forest to traffick goods to different places, but she usually stayed out of sight from whoever they were. There was, however, Zelda. The nymph had also grown up in the forest and knew how isolated Rowan had been, often helping to give encouragement outside of her mother's to leave the safety of home and venture out to make new friends and a possible life for herself.

She'd been grateful when the older woman had given her a place to stay in Destarin. While she had to still visit her tree once a week in order to stay healthy and strong, having a place to stay in the mean time was incredibly helpful for those times when she wasn't done exploring but needed some essential rest.

As she woke up that morning, she searched for Zelda and found her in the kitchen. "Good morning," Rowan said sweetly, her whispery voice soft. "Are you going into the shop today? I could come with you! You could show me the ropes!"

[hxwthornes]

Zelda was nothing if not hospitable. There was always a spare bedroom in her home - two, now, as one used to be a sort of office space for her husband, who had once had a passion for writing. She'd read every poem and short story, unfinished or otherwise, in the meantime, and she knew he would have been happy to see it being put to good use. The other spare room, well... storage, mostly, but once upon a time it held the hopes of a child. It wasn't too late, necessarily, but that dream had been put on hold.

Now, though, with Rowan staying with her, it filled the empty rooms and made it feel a bit more homey, which she delighted. Rowan was younger than Zelda by a bit, so while childhoods weren't spent together, family friends was an apt description and the company felt like family. "Good morning!" she answered, ever so cheery for the morning. "Yeah, I'll be there! But I should warn you, it can be a bit boring on the weekdays," she told her, as she poured two cups of tea. Eggs were cooking on a frying pan and there was a baguette yet to be chopped that would house some fresh jam. "You don't have to stay there all day if you get sick of it, I won't be offended."

[splintersandblood]

"It's a private matter regarding me and one of her guild members," as to what he needed from the guy? Well the man's head would be enough to receive the bounty attached to his name, and that was all Carel was willing to care about right now. "One of her employees has done a few things to upset rather powerful people of Destarin," he explained. That was the only explanation she needed surely.

"It's nothing someone like yourself should worry about anyway," maybe she had him entirely fooled, but she didn't seem like much of a threat herself, and he didn't wish to scare her with his stories either. "I think it will be best for Evelyn to rid herself of such company. Like I said, he's upset people you just shouldn't ever mess with."

[hxwthornes]

"Is it?" Zelda didn't always agree with everything her friend had gotten up to, but it was still something that meant a lot to her. The guild had been around for a long time for good reason, and she herself had her own selfish reasons. After Bennett, the guild really stepped up and helped her out when she most needed that extra sense of safety. She wasn't always jazzed about their methods, but she and Evelyn had a sort of unspoken agreement not to mention it.

"Oh no?" she asked, raising a brow. "I think Evelyn can handle herself, and if someone is doing something they are not supposed to under her eye, I can assure you that she will know about it, one way or the other." Though, she and this man before her might have had different opinions on what others in the Scourge guild should and shouldn't be doing.