The mist rolled through the forest slowly, giving it the frightening appearance that kept the humans from entering. If any dared to try, the Will-O-Wisp took care of them. Thortan casually strolled through the Mansion he was able to build out here. He was annoyed that he was sent into hiding by the Queen, he should out there fighting in the war trying to save his people, but he also knew why she had sent him away. The humans were to numerous to defeat, multiplying fast than rabbits, the other races could not keep up. Now Queen Selexnia was off at the great Elf Library trying to find a way to turn the tide of war. She truly believed that the answer lay within the stories of God's war fought against Lumina's.

"I cannot fathom how fighting a mad Goddess could help us against these humans." He said to the empty house.

He looked through his own extensive book collection, mostly on the different types of magic, ways to harness and use it. He wondered how many of his letters were answered, as well as how many people would make it to the house.

"I should get a pet human, make him do things around the house. Most likely would name him Jasper." He mussed out loud, when suddenly a loud knock echoed through the house.

"Ahh, the first to arrive, this should be fun!!" He walked down the stairs and opened the door, big grin on his face.

The parchment crinkled in Liz's grip for what seemed like the hundreth time, the heavy creases starting to tatter around the edges. She couldn't help it, it had been nothing short of a godsend in her eyes. She was not unaccustomed to thriving in the forests, to settling herself beneath the trees and awaiting her next mission. Yet the Queen's current retreat had fallen back on research, and now there was a lull. She had to wait. Restlessness had driven her near mad and her subsequent venturings into the various villages dotting the region she'd lingered in last had resulted in a nasty brawl. They did not want her. She was far too dangerous to them, far too obviously not 'pure' human.

A long black cloak slithered over the foliage of the forest floor, paired with the hiss of a sigh from her nostrils. She was not tired of travel, that was difficult to manage, yet as she peered down toward the ground and took note of the worn seams of her boots she realized her leathers would give in long before she did. She needed to stop and refuel. She had been contemplating joining Thortan, she knew all to well precisely who he was, but there was something in her that screamed against giving in. It felt too much like defeat.

As she peered down at her boots and their withering seams once more she let out a sigh, pausing where she stood and looking around. She could easily turn east now and make good time in getting to the mansion he had mentioned, and she knew that he would welcome her with open arms. Not only had she received the letter, but she had also been a significant assistance to the Dark Queen herself. The parchment crinkled further in her grasp as she turned and began heading eastward, silently cursing Thortan as she went.

When she reached the will o' wisp she offered the parchment out, heavily crinkled as it was, it was obviously enough. She followed the bobbing orb of light, irritation settling into her features that she had to stop at all. Still, it would admittedly be nice to see Thortan again. He and the Queen were if nothing else considered friends by this point. There was a quiet groan as she reached the structure itself, hand sliding from within her large cloak to pound at the door. "Here I ammm..." She uttered the words in a singsong tone under her breath.

@Lady Nex

Thortan opened the door, his smile big enough to hurt ones jaw. The moment he saw who was standing on his hearth, his smile faltered for the slimmest of seconds. The Queen's assassin stood there looking annoyed at actually finding the place.

"Lizzie Poo!! Ahh dear, you did find it in your heart to join me!! Though, even I am surprised you did. You are looking ravishing as ever. Your moonlight yellow eyes pierce through my enshrouded heart, like no other has in a long time. Please regal me, how is Lyceum doing these days?? Still killing each other over control?? Has that wolf good of your visited your people recently??" Thortan questioned, knowing just how to properly push the woman's buttons. To get under her skin was almost an art form to the dark Elf, who thought the Lycian needed to relax and loosen up a bit. He stood back and ushered her to come into the house.

@Cerces22

Once Thortan answered the door and Liz could be positive it was not some elaborate trap, she reached up to properly lower her hood. A sigh escaped, a flicker of irritation culminating in the woman giving in to the moment of humor. She had eyed him for a moment, a mixture of relief and aggravation littering her features. She still could not go home, and there was no doubt Thortan was aware of it.

"Lyceum is thriving, behind its walls. Of course. My brother sends word as often as he can."

She had paused for a moment, that abnormal yellow gaze redirecting to take in the face of the structure she stood before. A deep breath had been drawn, and almost involuntarily the woman had extracted a slender silver case from her cloak. As she popped it open the rows of neatly rolled cigarettes were revealed, black rolling paper accented with a simple purple stripe toward the bottom. It was an indication they were unusual smokables. The mixture of sweet herbs and specially crafted oils to lace them gave off an alluring aroma, even as she struck a match and let the tip flare to life. The ember glowed fiercely with that first pull, smoke erupting from her lips in a velvety cloud.

She eased visibly as a second drag was taken and held, the smoke steeping in her lungs for a few moments before she exhaled heavily and continued. "I didn't want to come, because I didn't want to lose. I feel like..." She grimaced, expression twitching once more as if she had pushed one of her own buttons. "I've not received word from you or the Queen of late, and with your most recent letter I thought perhaps taking a break from hiding might be wise."

Lia broke through the woods at the edge of the manor, with the letter from this Mr. Master's clutched in her hand, the parchment creased over a hundred times and torn in more than a few spots. Lia's pack weighed a little more than she was used to carrying, but she honestly didn't know what to expect from the Manor. Didn't know what kindness' would be offered, and so she had made sure she had enough supplies with her so that she would not be turned away because she could not care for herself. As she walked to the front of the house, her pack hitching a little ways up her back as she crouched low and studied the two individuals talking from the door from behind a bush about 40 feet away from the expansive manor she was looking at. She didn't see any other movement, and if she was honest with herself, it wouldn't have changed a thing. The letter said they could help master abilities, and that's what she was there to do. Maybe this Masters guy could help her, unlike the other useless fire wielders she had ran across over her year long journey. She had just about given up on ever wielding her fire ever again and was about to start her new life as maybe one of the Queens recruits when a man in Durer who had failed to help her do anything other than light a candle with a flame so hot the wax was gone within 3 seconds gave her this letter. Addressed to her, care of Samir Abdalah, that useless putz. He did at least offer me a couch while she worked at his market while he taught wielding classes to the street elves. She knew Samir had done all he could, and it was time for Lia to move on. She took a deep breath, and stepped from the shadows into the light and began to walk towards the door, no longer caring about being stealthy. It had been a long hard journey of dodging and evading the humans to get across the world, not an easy feet. The fae helped along the way, but regardless, Lia learned the hard way how ruthless these non-nomadic humans were, and had been forced to kill a few within the last week of her journey here. Her hood had slipped down her head during a particularly bad rainstorm and 3 drunk guys an the alley in Fitch. She had had to fight her way out of the mass of drunk muscle that threatened to choke, rape and kill her. She became desperate, and claustrophobic. Her rage began to seep in the corners of her eyes, and she felt the familiar and comforting glow at the base of her belly right behind her belly button that spread heat through out her entire body, ending at her fingertips. Touching any part of her while she was this angry resulted in instant skin incineration. She felt guilty even now, a week later, because the smell of burning human flesh didn't necessarily disgust her. She never thought of humans in any way while she was growing up. The odd human with dreads and worn nomad clothes would drift into their tribe for a time, bemoaning life in the " real world" and seeking something of solitiude. Lia never paid them any mind, but they had never been hostile. Her stomach growled remembering the burnt flesh she left behind of the men in Fitch, and she took a deep breath. She was nearing the pair, and she steeled herself for the worst.

"I am Ophelia Estrellas. Can you be of use to me?" Lia inwardly cringed, sometimes her english translations came off hard and robotic. No matter, at least they would know she got down to the point. Her bright eyes bounced back and forth between the two, her breath held and her spine iron straight. The markings on her body began to pulse a soft red glow that thrummed her body as she waited with nerves tightly coiled in her belly.

"The Queen is researching a solution to help us deal with the humans my dear. If she needed us she would of sent word. And I have been building this manor under her orders and have not yet had sufficient time to send correspondence. Though, I have been thinking of acquiring one of those human pets that others seem to have. You know, the ones that do things for you?? That would be just so convenient." Suddenly a stoic woman emerged from the bushes and walked right up, demanding of she could be helped.

"My, my, what have we here Lizzie Poo?? Seems one of the nomadic elves from the desert have received one of my letters. The poor thing is practically glowing!! This truly is delicious." Thortan half chuckled to himself. "Of course darlin'. All who seek refuge shall be welcomed with open arms. If they have a letter of course. Pray tell, what is it that seems to ail you??" Thortan reached out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and noticed she burned to the touch. His smile only grew.

"Seems the young ones fire is basically burning out of control. Well we can't have that destroying the manor that was incredibly difficult to build, now can we?? You must find a calm little firefly, in that flame is a white hot center. Inside it, is the source of your flame. Bathe in it, claim it as yours, right now it holds sway in you. You must wrest it's control and make it yours, lest it swallow you in a delicious conflagration that will sorely swallow you and those around you. Not many all called on to have this much elemental magic, the Dates must of seen great potential in you to gift your birth in such a way. Not that those three old cronies always know best, they try." Thortan said his smile giving way to a mischievous smirk.

Lia looked up into this mans eyes and was unable to read him. Either way he was frustrating. Saying essentially what every single other teacher had said. She was destined, she must conquer the fire, embrace it. Yea thats great, Lia thought, fine and fucking dandy, until she scorched the earth and heats the lake near by and boils all the wild life because she "embraced her fire."
"What makes you able to help me?" Her tattoos pulsed just once, her temper lifting its sleepy head inside her belly, one eye brow raised and a smile beginning to spread on its etheral self. She didnt want to be proven stupid for another wild goose chase. She could live out her life in the volcanic dunes of Demi. She slid the crushed letter from her back jean pocket, holding it out for inspection.

It was nearly instantaneous, and without a doubt the involuntary response after having spent so much time on the run; at the sound of footsteps padding out of the forests Elizabeth had turned, her stature shifting and one hand resting at the pommel of a blade. Had she not seen the growing glow that indicated a non-human had approached, it was entirely possible she'd have drawn her blade with exceptional speed. Her posture eased only minutely once she'd taken in the appearance of the newcomer, and two steps had been taken to offer the elven woman some space as she spoke to Thortan.

Not a word was offered, only the shrewd gaze of the Lycian. It was a piercing stare that often left people feeling as if Elizabeth was looking right through them, analyzing their every thought and breath. It wasn't entirely inaccurate, she was exceptional at reading people, but she certainly wasn't staring into the depths of their souls with a simple glare. After a moment's pause Liz brought her cigarette to her lips, taking a deep pull and allowing the near-poisonous fog to rest in her lungs for a moment or two. As the smoke oozed from her nostrils she took an additional step, to the side this time in the event they moved inside.

She made no attempt to introduce herself, nor did she reach out to offer a hand. The accent that rolled from the elven woman's tongue was recognizable. Elizabeth, the overachiever that she was, was fluent in several languages. She had no doubt she would be able to catch onto the dialect of whatever tribe this newcomer was from, though it offered little solace to the guest, as she did not voice it.

Her only commentary was offered with her typical cynical viewpoint on any god that was not her own, or Erebus himself.

"The fates are nothing more than three old gossiping women with a terrible sense of humor."

Lia's gaze narrowed and flicked over to the Other one smoking a cigarette. It wasn't as though Lia intended to be rude, being a nomad her whole life introductions were pointless and not usually navigated. She assessed the woman quickly, noting the womans hand resting on the hilt of her sword. No sudden startles around this one then. Most likely, sneaking around would be useless as well. She gave a firm nod of recognition and turned her gaze back towards the Host, Mr. Masters. She could tell the woman was attempting to read her, and as Lia was an open, volatile gash of rage on good days, she wasnt too concerned with what the woman gleaned. Keeping her snarly fire in check took most of her energy, and left little for things like worrying about first impressions or what other emotion she would be giving away. Lia was more about actions and less about emotional politics and guess work. Her eyes briefly flitted to the cigarette in the womans hand, a pang of longing for a hookah with decent shisha assaulted her before she took a deep breath and returned her gaze to Mr. Masters.

Liz, as jumpy as always pulled a knife on the burning girl, who at the same time pulsed angrily. Thortan once again placed a hand on the young elves shoulder. The heat slowly building to meltdown proportions.

"My dear, there really is nothing me, or the pup over there can do. There has been but a handful with your strength of fire to ever walk this earth. You must learn to control this ability those meddling crone's wove into your thread of life. I can tell you, that I am your equivalent with the power of darkness. So I truly know the boat your in. Fire is anger, it is the elements cleansing force. Clearing the way for all the other elements to build on it's recently baptized path. You must understand the emotion behind your element. For you are focusing on just the anger. Fire also represents passion, my young firefly. It burns away impurities to reveal the truth underneath. Both my fine furry friend and I, can see you are angry. It will not be easy, but allow the fire to burn off that rage and you may yet claim it's passion underneath." Thortan coughed and waved away Liz's billowing smoke.

"New rule, you can't smoke in the house, it's smelly and annoying. And if you burn your fur, I will laugh!!" He said mockingly.

Brilliant, yellow irises drifted toward Thortan with his latest round of commentary, a sound similar to 'tchah' offered under her breath. The woman bore no fur, nor was she overtly wolf like save for the canines that extended within her mouth. Had it not been for the eyes, she'd have been mistaken as human. A sigh escaped too at the utilization of the word pup and she shook her head.

The cigarette itself had been snuffed out, her hand coming away from the hilt of her blade as she let the half finished smoke disappear in a brief swirl of shadow magic. "I won't smoke in the common areas, but I'll be damned if you tell me I can't smoke in my own room." A quiet had settled over her features as she returned her gaze to Ophelia, a brief smile coming to her lips.

[Not in 'English'!]"The god my people worship granted us a blessing based in rage, as well. Like the territorial instinct of a wolf we growl, snap and bite at those that even appear to wrong us. Calming the anger was the first step to learning how to navigate our gifts. It appears we have a thing or two in common." The words did not come out in the common dialect of the humans, but rather in the native tongue of the desert elves. It was smooth and without error, though it was the most common form of the language, and not spoken with any particular dialect in mind.

Lia watched the brief exchange between the two, and it was obvious these two had a longer history than just a few minutes. Her long ears pricked at the sound of her native language being spoken, rather well. Skillfully blended neutrally as to not be distinctive in any particular region. She chewed the womans words a few minutes, rolling it around and gathering all the information she could from them. Her tattoos pulsed once more as she came to the conclusion that these two held her best chance, and that she would gather what she could from them.
Lia lifted her fingers and called upon her Air, her breath, and guided the stray ciggarette smoke away from Mr. Masters and herself, lazily guiding it into a few patterns and shapes before letting it go well away from everyone.
She turned to the woman, her eyes steady but not unkind, and spoke her true tongue, the melodic and lilting desert language of the Saadian region, and her tattoos glowed once more, this time with love for her native language, and thankful to this woman for her gift, the ability to speak with others as her true self. Her eyes clamped shut as the rage in her belly uncoiled itself a little more, strong emotion turning deadly in her stomach, she deadened her eyes and willed her tattoos quiet, taking a deep breath through her nose. She swung her head back to Masters, tugged her lip ring into her mouth, and narrowed her eyes again.
" Then lets get started."

"Most excellent!!" Thortan said excitedly. "Well than, shall we eat?? I am sure you both are positively famished. Please while I prepare the meal, go drop off your belongings, I am sure you will find your room easily enough, and to your liking??" Thortan turned and walked into the house chuckling to himself. He made his way towards the kitchen and began rummaging through the things to make for dinner. His mind wandered as he did so.

"Thortan you scoundrel, why must you always joke at times like these?? The humans have declared war on us!!" Queen Selnexia said in a serious tone.

"M'lady, so serious, while numerous the humans are fragile and don't live quite as long as we do. I am sure their king will tire of this blind jealousy soon enough. No one likes long drawn out campaigns." He said with his trademark smirk.

"You have been away for to long trickster, the humans hate us. They feel inferior to us since I locked away Lumina's in her prison. They feel as though their seat on the council amounts to nothing more than pity!!" The queen stood from her throne and walked up to Thortan. She began poking his chest to emphasize her points. "They will not easily back down, you have to gather our forces and prepare for war!!"

"As you wish, my queen." Thortan said with an exaggerated bow, the smile never leaving his.

The memory felt as though it happened yesterday, while the Queen's right hand made dinner for his new guests his smile grew at what he knew would be coming ahead. Finally peace and fun will return to the world. They just had to do something with the humans first. As he cooked an other memory flashed behind his eyes.

"I told you, fool!! Their numbers are to great to not take lightly!! The castle has fallen!! Now I have lost my kingdom twice!! I must make haste to the secret library, there must be an answer there on how to deal with the humans"
The queen said atop her horse as they rode away.

"M'lady, we must hurry than if we are to lose the army on our tails!" Thortan said keeping up on his on steed.

"No, I have sent word to Liz to lay low for now. She is awaiting word from you or me on what to do next. You must leave me now. You must go into hiding, find those gifted and hunted with no one left to help. You must help them learn, we cannot let our people die out. When I have found a solution I will summon you." She said, visibly upset.

"Self, I cannot leave you. You need my protections!!" Thortan argued. "My knowledge is unrivaled!!"

"Which is why you must go!! Use that to help those who need it. Now that is an order from your queen!!"

"As you wish m'lady!! Don't you dare die!!"

Thortan trip down memory road ended as he was setting the table. He did his best to represent each person's culture in the dishes he had made. For Lia, a hot and spice chicken accompanied by some fresh desert veggies, cactus water imported directly from the Novien desert. For himself, a thick beef stew that he had been cooking since yesterday. For Liz he put the soup bone the plate. He snickered to himself at how upset she was going to be.

Liz turned to follow Thortan inside, her gaze quickly settling on the scenery. She studied the interior of the mansion just as she had the woman outside, taking in every detail...memorizing every exit, and every hiding spot. It was the involuntary process her mind launched into anytime she entered a new structure. Her own mind was not far from Thortan's, though neither of the two realized that of course. Memories of her own were flickering through her mind. The first time she had met with the Queen it was when tensions had initially risen.

It was worth noting, in Liz's own mind, that the tensions were not without merit. Whatever she had advertised it was obvious the Queen had no intention of giving the humans any real power in her envisioned empire, and it was only a matter of time before they would figure that out. Liz had seen it quickly, and she had offered her opinion without hesitation. When the Queen had laid out her vision for Liz she could not help but be impressed. It was something she could support, and so here she was.

Those early days had been full of thrills. Constant work had been rolling in for the assassin, and she had barely a moment to spare for the sake of sleep. It was ideal, for someone like her. The waiting had her restless, irritable, and anxious. She wanted to see things moving, to watch that progress the way it should. The more reclusive Kingdoms, Liz felt, were to blame. Even her own people. To name support without providing men...it seemed pointless. Had the numbers come together properly, they would have at least matched the humans more evenly, if not managed to outnumber them outright.

A hiss escaped from her nostrils as she let her mind work through the train of thought, and by the time she found herself settling at the table she was cutting that thought process off. It wasn't much use at the present moment. Even within a mansion, even with her history working as what the elves deemed a 'royal assassin', she was far from polite. Her cloak had most certainly not been removed, nor had her weapons. Her constant attire gave off the appearance of being ceaselessly ready for a fight, and yet here there should be none. The leathers, at least, were well worn in and there was none of that irritating creaking and groaning one often heard from newer leathers. She attempted to get comfortable, waiting for the food they had been promised.

Lia entered the mansion, fists clenched at her side. The house, if you could call it that, was huge. A stark contrast to her beloved crowded yurt, stuffed with friends and comrades. Until her power had grown way beyond, until she became someone shunned from the village. She looked at her early laugh with a mix of longing and bitterness, of a lover denied a touch before they were ready to be alone. This place would do nothing to remind her of home, and maybe that was a good thing. Because her fire was never able to be contained in the desert and dunes of Saadia. Her mind drifted to Samir, wondering if he was alright. He refused to leave the human realm, staying behind to help the stragglers of the exodus, the lost ones trying to get somewhere safe. As much as he proved to be a useless teacher for her, they had grown to be friends. Sharing rice and fruit together on the floor of his tiny market room, sleeping face to face on that same floor, exchanging stories and hopes for the future. She had told him where she was going, even though he had received his own invitation. He decided to stay back just a little longer, new lost elves were coming to him weekly looking for a way out of the realm that was becoming increasingly volatile to our kind. Lia had never had a hand in politics, never much cared. Her power, after a certain age, ended up consuming most of her attention and energy so all the stories that came from the traveling traders fell on deaf ears. She knew the war would never touch the tribe, but she was concerned for Samir. She hoped he bailed before he got himself killed.

Lia trailed behind the group, taking in all the rich wood and ornate-ness of the house that still held a tasteful appeal. She took a seat at the table and said nothing. Her hands clenched at her side, her nails a steady pressure into her palms, slicing half moons into the fleshy part of her hand. The action kept her in the current moment, and grounded. When her mind wandered the flame built, fueled by whatever thoughts her mind seemed to wander to. She took in the table, followed by a deep breath, and waited for the next thing to happen.

Thortan walked out if the kitchen, as usual his trademarked smirk on his face. Looking all the more ridiculous in his bright pink apron. He wheeled out a cart with the dishes of food on them. He gently placed each one in front of Lia and Liz. Finally settling at his own seat with his dish. He removed the lid and breathed in the rich straight aroma.

"Please eat, enjoy it. Lia, since we know the least amount about you please, regal us with your story. After the usual pleasentries of getting to know each other, and this wonderful dinner we can truly start the practice to control your flames. So please, I wish to know more about you." He said casually eating his soup, his eyes flicking constantly to Liz and her dish.

There was no loss of memory for Liz, and the woman was already well accustomed to the constant shenanigans of their host. It was with a stoic face she received her plate, an equally deadpan expression remaining as she inspected the bone further. Soup bones were often the largest bone of the utilized meat, and the woman appeared to be measuring up what the size of the animal might have been. There was nothing that would surprise her at this rate, and so the woman responded with as much grace as a dog-lady might.

The gift the Lycian's received provided them with a powerful jaw, and unnaturally sharp teeth, despite the fact only the canines appeared minutely changed, all of their teeth had benefited from it. So it was with this gift she had taken the bone in hand, brought it to her mouth, and found the ideal spot to break the bone open. She reclined back in her chair with an easy posture, eventually working at the bone enough she could break it in half. Without so much as batting an eyelash, the woman began sucking the marrow straight out. Evidently it didn't taste that bad.

"I can still taste the broth. The soup would be good. Had you offered any." Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, and rather than irritation there was something of a challenge there. She wouldn't rise quite so easily these days. After a moment or two she'd looked to Lia, curious to hear if she would indeed offer her story. And yes. She kept slurping the marrow straight out of the large bone--as quietly as she could, if it was any consolation to the others at the table.

Lia stared at the dish in front of her, the smell of it mixing with her memories in the ether of the room, to tempt and torment her. She made a small sound in her throat, hoping the chef took that involuntary moan as a thank you. She stared up at the table and offered a small smile.
" This is the dish my Grandmother Tal would make me as a child when I was sick with fire-fever." Lia's tattoos pulsed at the memory of the last time her grandmother made it for her. She had just had another round of horrific training with the elders and pushed herself to hard. Control was her weak point when it came to her fire, and the elders wanted her to push as much of her fire out into the dunes to see if she could exhaust herself with the hopes of diminishing her power to a manageable level. She had stood out in the Saadian dunes for 3 days straight. Scorching heat was no stranger to Lia's life, and in those days she had turned a 5 miles patch of sand into glass before the fire-fever kicked in and left her weak and crawling into her grandmothers hut. Tal got to work, lovingly bathing Lia in cold water stored in deep holes dug into the sand. Then she made the spicy chicken, using the hottest peppers known to only grow in Saadia, with the hopes of sweating out the last dregs of her power that turned against her. That night when Lia had finally fallen into a fitful sleep and Tal went to lay down herself, Lia's Tattoos began to pulse for the first time. What started out as small tribal tattoos that she had gotten with the rest of her age group as they matured, began to elongate themselves. They grew rapidly around her body, twisting and curving in on itself until it frenzied and met together in a giant swirl surrounding her belly button, while also encircling half of her face. The tattoos began giving off heat, and Lia began to smolder on the tent floor. When she woke the next morning it was to a burnt canvas floor that gave way to a solid glass outline of Lia's body and her new angry red markings. After that morning, when the Elders saw what she had done to the dunes and the new markings, everyone had shunned her. Except Tal. Everyone was petrified Lia would set fire to the maanam tent. That she would kill the camels beneath her if she road them, that she would kill if anyone touched her. And she didn't not believe them.

Lia's bright eyes looked over at Masters, her hands shaking slightly at the memory.
" Well, I grew up in the Saadian Dunes, a small remote region of the Sa'andahar nation. But I doubt I need to tell you that. I have lived a nomad life for 73 years. We traveled frequently, offering security services, trades for goods, hired help, anything we could do around the market bazaars to bring home things for the tribe. I only left because Saadia could no longer help me, or contain me. What do you wish to know?" Lia tugged her lip ring into her mouth once more. That had been the longest she had spoken since leaving the small market room with Samir. She shoved some vegetables into her mouth, bypassing the utensils for her hands. Her eyes flicked over to the other woman and a small grin peeked out from her full mouth. It seems she wasn't the only one to prefer using her hands. She knew the marrow tasted good, soft and just a tiny bit gritty. She popped the vegetables into her mouth one at a time, picked apart the chicken into bite sized pieces, and hoped she could stop the urge to bring the bowl up to her lips, upturning the contents into her open mouth. She had had no learning in formal table manners, and frankly she used the cultural divide to continue how she wanted to eat regardless of the company. She may not have had a formal education but Lia was intelligent, crafty, and a little bit of a wrecking ball. If eating with her was necessary, the least of someones concern would be how she ate. The danger came when she opened her mouth and began talking. Blunt honesty was a nasty habit of hers that got her into more than a few fights. It was all well and good until she actually got angry. Her markings pulsed on her face, remembering a few of those said fights. Lia tightened her fist so that her nail broke the skin on the fleshy part of her palm just enough to let loose a drop of blood, and refocused on the meal.

"My, you are but a child. To be burden with such a power at such a young age, as well as to have your village shun you. Truly is a horrendous event, small wonder your fire hasn't already consumed you." Thortan cast an eye to Liz who was in a similar boat, though he was sure she wouldn't be open to sharing at the moment.

"The House of Rejects is always available to you, even when you gain a grasp on your powers. My doors will always be open to you. And I am sure that my knowledge of your people's food do not compare to Grandma Tal. How many teachers have you gone to see since you left your home?? We will begin your training as soon as we know how much you already know dear."

" Thank you. I have seen 4 teachers, all claiming by many to be the most powerful of the fire wielders. The longest any of them has been able to last with a continuous power push was 7 hours before collapsing. You have done Tal a great honor, she would be pleased." Lia said, her accent lilting softly and caught slightly on Tal's name. She wondered if she had faded yet or was still in her tent on the Saadian dunes living the rest of her life out in piece, no longer worried about looking after her youngest grand daughter. The thought both saddened Lia and gave her some peace, knowing that she was giving her grandmother final days of solitude and quiet but wishing to see her just once before...Blood pooled in Lia's palm, dripping into the polished hard wood of the dining room floor and working its way into the cracks, deeper, deeper into the house itself. This would not be the first drop of blood she would lose to this house, she could tell. May as well start now.
"What else can I tell you? None of them believed in my abilities, and when I demonstrated them only one stayed around long enough to know my whole name. They could offer me nothing, and frankly, seemed hateful. One man in the Volcano dunes of Demi snarled at me before stomping off and locking his door against me." Lia lifted her shoulders in a shrug, her braid tossed to one side behind her back. Popping a piece of sauteed cactus into her mouth, she waited for another prompt.