✘ for elissa. she has QUESTIONS
they’re sitting by the fire - it’s become the pair’s go to spot for most of their conversations, the warmth of the blaze managing to thaw any reservations elissa might normally have. the mage has taken hold of el’s wrist, fingers delicately tracing over one of the many scars elissa wears as badges of honor. “that’s from a hurlock, i’m pretty sure,” she offers as way of explanation, smiling her sunshine smile. “or a genlock.” bellara’s hand moves, up, traces the scar across her cheek. “that one..” her smile dims a little. “that one’s from before i became a warden.”
the image comes to her, unbidden, the man she once worked for leering over her. “this barely covers any of your costs, whore,” he spits, dagger unsheathed from his side. it’s quick as a breath, the sharp pain of a slice across her face. “clean yourself up and get back on the streets!” her own hand comes up, fingers brushing against bel’s as she touches the scar. a reminder of her failures. of where she came from. why she joined the wardens. (no choice, she’d had no choice) it marks her, she thinks, it’s the first thing people notice about her always.
“it’s not a fun story,” she says. but she’ll tell it if bel asks. “i mean- most of these aren’t. some are sillier, though!”