Six re-writes to make the dialogue make sense and remind the Ai who Jake is... for some reason... and why Dana hates him. Ai be forgetful sometimes for no apparent reason.

As the three of them stepped outside, Sarah was suddenly called back in by the Guildmaster.

As Sarah stepped back into the guild hall, Dana immediately turned to Valkyria. "You lied in your interview," she spat, her eyes narrowing in anger. "You're so powerful, you had no reason to accept an F-rank placement."

Valkyria's eyes narrowed right back. "I didn't lie," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "I started at the bottom for a reason. I'm a werewolf, Dana. I'm going to face prejudice no matter where I go. If I start at the very bottom and work my way up, no one will think I received special treatment. It's the smart thing to do."

Dana rolled her eyes. "Oh, please," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're just trying to look humble. You're too powerful to be an F-rank. I know it, and so do you."

Valkyria's hackles rose. "You don't know anything," she growled. "And frankly, it's none of your business. I accepted an F-rank placement because that's what I thought was best for me. It had nothing to do with you or Sarah or anyone else."

Dana's fists clenched at her sides. "I don't believe you," she said, her voice low and threatening. "I think you and Sarah conspired together to **** me to be on a team with you."

Valkyria's eyes widened in shock. "What?" she said, incredulous. "That's ridiculous, Dana. Why would we do that?"

Dana glared at Valkyria. "I don't know," she said, her voice rising in anger. "Maybe because Sarah thinks you’ll convince me that Jake isn’t a monster who needs defeating."

Valkyria shook her head in disbelief. "That's not true," she said firmly. "I don't give a rat’s ass what you think about Jake, or me, or werewolves in general. I’m not an insecure child."

Dana rolled her eyes. "Right," she said sarcastically. "You're just pairing up with a real F-Rank like me, someone who has to work hard to become stronger just, to make yourself look good."

Valkyria's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't need to make myself look good," she said, her voice rising. "I am good. And if a weakling like you can't handle that, that's your problem, not mine."

Dana's face turned red with anger. "I am not weak," she spat. "I just haven't had the same opportunities as you."

Valkyria's eyes narrowed as she regarded Dana. "Opportunities?" she repeated incredulously. "Do you think I was born powerful? That I didn't have to work for every bit of strength and skill I have? Do you think it is easy for me to now be **** to be a werewolf? You have no idea what it's like to be an outcast and now I’m a werewolf in a human world, an outcast forever."

Dana crossed her arms, still seething. "I never said it was easy for you," she muttered. "But you have to admit, being a werewolf gives you certain advantages. You're faster and stronger than any human could ever hope to be. How am I supposed to contribute and get stronger with you around?"

Valkyria's expression darkened. "Yes, being a werewolf gives me advantages," she said slowly. "But it also makes people fear and hate me. Do you know what it's like to be shunned by society, to be hunted by those who think you're a monster? I will have to fight tooth and nail to earn the respect of my peers, and even then, there are still those who will see me as nothing more than a savage beast."

Dana shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling guilty for her earlier accusations. "I didn't mean it like that," she muttered. "I just...I don't want to be on a team with a werewolf. You’re Jake’s girl or whatever, and defeating him is the reason I’m doing all this. I will become stronger. I will make him pay for what he’s done, not just to me, but to my mother, to Sarah, to everyone around him. I just… why did it have to be you they paired me with."

Valkyria's eyes grew cold as she listened to Dana's words. "Jake is not 'my man' or anything like that," she said firmly. "I owe him my life, and that's all, whether or not I sleep with him has everything to do with what I want and nothing to do with you. He helped me defeat Razorclaw, and in doing so, he freed me from a curse that had plagued me for years. I am proud to be a werewolf, and I will not let anyone shame me for it."

Valkyria paused, taking a deep breath. "As for Jake's actions, I won't deny that he is dangerous. But he is not evil. He's just tired, after living for so long. He's seen too much pain, too much ****. And he's had to make some hard choices along the way."

Dana scowled. "That doesn't excuse what he's done to me, to my mother."

"I know it doesn't," Valkyria said softly. "And I'm sorry for what he's done to you. But you need to understand that I am not Jake. I am not responsible for his actions. And I will not stand here and be judged because of him."

Dana looked away, anger finally burning away, replaced by shame. "I'm sorry," she said again.

Valkyria nodded, her expression softening. "It's okay," she said. "I understand that you're angry, and you have a right to be. But I promise you this - I will do everything in my power to make sure that we complete this mission successfully and that you become stronger, even if you’re doing it just to defeat Jake.”