Dancing Fox In XII: Dance If You Want To

[Morty]

"Well, wyverns are like dragons. Then again... dragons are extinct where I come from, so maybe I'm not the one to talk," Wenomir says. "I bet they were surprised when you breathed fire at them."

[Halae]

"Always smart to have an ace in the hole. It's actually kind of funny - most people didn't even realize I had another name. That was actually something of a running theme among heroes and villains that don't have the ability to look human anymore - one kid, something like fifteen or around there, was made out of Metal. Called himself Hammer, but I found out a little while after meeting him that his real name was Gerald. I actually had to turn him down from a date, since he thought 'well, we both look weird, clearly she'll go for it.'" Harnetta smiles, "I might have, if he was about twenty years older and had a beard."

[Morty]

"Ah, right. The whole double life thing. Changing in phonebooths... not sure why it's phonebooths," Wenomir muses. "So the people were either humans or superheroes?"

[Halae]

Harnetta nods, "Well, there was others. The Forest of Elves was rather peaceful, but the fey were a real problem, and the mole people living under Druden would sometimes cause a ruckus, but past that it was almost all humans."

[Morty]

Wenomir's eyebrows perk up.

"Mole people. That's a new one. So... you said you'd have dated that guy if he'd been older and with a beard. I thought you only liked women."

[Halae]

Harnetta shrugs, "Maybe it's the female hormones. Maybe I've always liked guys and never admitted it to myself, I'm not sure. But I can feel my mouth watering when I see a guy with a good set of abs, or a well kept beard. Hear a deep, rumbling voice..." she lets out a small embarrassed voice, "Sorry. I know you can't really relate there."

[Morty]

"I can't say as I do, no." Wenomir is looking mildly bemused. "Whatever works for you. It can't have been easy figuring it out after you and Cessie... unless you're rather not discuss it."

[Halae]

"It's fine, really." Harnetta shrugs, "It was years ago - I've gotten over it, and I'm mature enough to admit I botched things."

[Morty]

Wenomir thinks about something for a moment, before downing his beer and ordering another.

"Water under the bridge, I suppose. Cessie has certainly moved on. And she has Adir, Sakura and the whole bunch to keep her company in the keep right now."

[Halae]

"Mmm, I noticed. I hope she's happy. I still sort of love her, you know? Now that I've gotten my head sorted out, I still do, and I want her to be happy, but I'm not about to tell her that." Harnetta downs the rest of her mead and orders another, "She doesn't need me screwing things up by giving her conflicting feelings when she finds someone else to go for. Besides, I've had my chance and screwed it up."

"What about you? How's your love life?"

[Morty]

Wenomir's shoulders slump and he takes a swig of his beer.

"Kr's missing without a trace, so... I don't really have one anymore."

[Halae]

"Oh. Sorry."

Harnetta falls silent, unsure of how to respond to that. Wenomir will likely recognize the contemplative look on her face though. "... If if you get any leads on her wherabouts, I'll of course help you track her down."

[Morty]

Wenomir looks down at the bottom of his glass.

"I only have one. Tobias spotted someone who looked, but not acted, like her in a massive flying temple that is now near AMEN. I've been trying to come up a way to investigate that's not suicidal."

[Halae]

"Why's it suicidal to go there?" Harnetta asks, her curiosity piqued.

[Morty]

"Not only is it swarming with demons and traps, but they can call whatever's left of AMEN to help," Wenomir explains. "Tobias barely got out when it flew over GLoG and he investigated. If it were just me on the line, I'd risk it, but... if I die, Vigil's down another leader. If I'm captured, it'd be even worse."

[McBish]

Cait comes down from her room pulling several more suitcases with her than when she checked in. She heads to the bar setting her keys to her rented room on the counter. It looks like she is going to check out.

[Halae]

"Hmm." Harnetta considers that for a long moment, "I'll go then. I'm unattached at the moment, so I'd only be risking myself, no offense but I'm naturally tougher and stronger than you so I should be able to handle more obstacles, I can fly if I need to make a quick escape. the only problem is that I'm not the most observant person, and might miss something."

[Morty]

Wenomir is silent for a long while.

"...I don't know what to say. I don't like sending people into places I'd rather go myself. But maybe that's just one of the burdens of leadership."

[Halae]

"Hey, I offered; you're not sending me to do anything I haven't already agreed to." Harnetta says, drinking more mead. she's got that same lopsided grin Wenomir will remember from so long ago.

[Morty]

Wenomir smiles crookedly himself. It's a sad smile, but still more than he usually pulls off these days.

"And it's not like I can order you not to go. It's refreshing, in a way."

[Halae]

"I'll let you know a secret I learned from my father way back when," the half-dragon responds, "the easiest way to let yourself keep doing risky things is to make sure you have a replacement lined up. Groom someone to take over if something bad ever happened to you."

[Morty]

"That... does sound like a good idea," Wenomir says, rubbing his chin. "Not sure who it would be, though. Felandria expressed interest in becoming a Vigil leader, so I'm sort of testing her."

[Halae]

"Not sure she's ready yet?" Harnetta prompts, "That's fine. If she was, she'd already be in a control position." she shrugs, "You have time."

[Morty]

Wenomir nods.

"She's not ready yet, and I'm not sure if she has the right attitude. She's... earnest. And means well. But that's not enough to be leader. She's willing to learn, though, so we'll see how it goes. I'm not a natural leader material either, and yet here I am."

[Halae]

Harnetta shrugs, "I'm not sure I'd agree with that. You have a level head in crisis times, and by and large that's the most important things. After that, you think about the fact that your actions have consequences, and from fighting you, you're not afraid to strike when an opportunity presents itself. I'd say those are all good leadership qualities to have."

[Morty]

"I've always thought of myself as a natural follower, rather than a leader," Wenomir says, uncertainly. "Someone meant to stab things he's pointed at. But maybe it's because I'd never had the opportunity to be anyone else before Watchtower."

[Halae]

"Well, you've definitely made the most of it." Harnetta smiles and downs the rest of her mead.

[Morty]

"It seems I did. You don't actually know who you are until you're pulled out of your familiar environment and thrown into the fire," Wenomir says. "I managed to get through the fire... with a few extra scars."

[Halae]

"Mmm." Harnetta sighs, "It sort of feels like I'm coming back in here and disrupting everything, to be honest. Cessie certainly wasn't happy to see me - maybe not angry, per se, but definitely not happy."

[Morty]

Wenomir waves his hand.

"I understand why you might feel this way, but you're not. I'm glad to see you back. As for Cessie... it's hard for me to say. I've known her for a while, but she can still be hard to read. Have you spoken to Adir and Sakura yet?"