A confidant

Someone clears their throat behind you, "My thoughts exactly."

You turn to find Janine watching anxiously as the blaspheming sister drunkenly rounds a corner. She turns to you, urgency creeping into her tone, "something is very wrong in Sea Haven." She takes your hands, her vice-like grip echoing the desperation in her voice, "I believe your story; even if it is incredible, the Burning Rose has worked miracles before. I will help you however I can but please-" She takes a shaky breath, "please, help my home."

Her gaze was so earnest and beseeching you'd have helped even if your goals weren't aligned, "To my dying breath." Your grip on her hands is probably the only thing that keeps her from throwing her arms around you. Instead she sniffles, her face breaking into a achingly beautiful smile as tears run down her face. Your eyes prick with tears of your own, through everything that had happened you hadn't realized how much you just needed a friend. She's so beautiful... Ivona's face flashes before your eyes and you step back, releasing her hands and clearing your throat, "We should meet somewhere more private, we have a lot to talk about."

Janine looks a little confused but doesn't question your sudden distance, "nobody is ever in the gardens anymore, we can go there." You nod resolutely and motion for her to lead the way. You need to know as much as possible as soon as possible, the memory of the Burning Rose's desperation made you nauseous. Or maybe that was the lack of a solid meal for the past 24 hours of demons, betrayal, and exertion. Now that the initial rush had subsided and your sense of urgency somewhat dulled, you realized just how drained you felt. Your stomach burned, gnawing at emptiness, while the innumerable scrapes and abrasions covering your body stung as if salted anew. For a moment your vision blurred and you had to brace yourself against the wall. Janine continued on down the corridor, steps full of renewed purpose.