You take time to recover

You lie there, resting for the remainder of the day and on into the next morning. At first, Dana constantly frets over you, asking repeatedly if she can do anything to make you feel better. You keep telling her no. Part of you feels that you should try and comfort her, if only to make her stop asking if you're okay. You have no idea though what you could say to make her feel better. Your thoughts are sluggish, and everything you come up with sounds like you're criticizing her for trying to take care of you. Discretion being the better part of valor, you decide saying nothing is the way to go.

Finally, Dana stops asking what she can do, and curls up next to you, resting her head on your chest. You both lie there for a while, until she suddenly speaks, "I hate the fact that I'm so useless." Shit. Uh... You scramble for something to say; you draw a blank.

Dana isn't looking for a response though. "All these things keep happening to you, and all I can do is wait here worrying, hoping that you're okay. Even when I was a priestess of Anari, I was useless: All my battle prayers were weak; I could barely debuff an enemy or support a teammate; I didn't have any area of effect abilities; my blessings never lasted more than a minute; I couldn't even defend myself. Dolph just kept me around so I could be his damsel in distress. As if, all I was good for was standing around and looking pretty." Her voice doesn't rise through any of this, maintaining the same flat, miserable tone. "I feel so much happier now. You treat me like an actual person, not like a failure or a pretty, little ornament. But, I'm constantly afraid that something'll happen to you or that you'll leave me, and I'll have to go back to being Dana the mistake, Dana the bimbo. Except it'll be even worse now, because I lost my connection to Anari. I just feel... so... so powerless." Dana's voice becomes thick with emotion, and, when you feel wet spots form on your chest, you realize she is crying.

Fuuuuuck. You have to say something. One, Dana you don't ever have to worry about me leaving you. If something happens and I don't come back for you, it's because I'm dead. Dana gives a choked sob at this. Ugh, you idiot. Talking about your **** will make her feel much better. Two, you say, pressing on, You are not useless. You give my life meaning. Things keep happening to me, because I stand in the face of danger. I do that because of you. Upon hearing this Dana gives an even louder sob. Yes, blaming her for your reckless encounters is a surefire of making Dana feel better.

_Ugh, no. Dana, what I mean to say is that I was alone from the moment I was created. None of the Weed Fiends could talk to each other; we were all too far away. The only people who came to the canyon were heroes, and they just wanted to kill me. For time immemorial, the only person I talked to was myself. That all changed when I met you. You made my life enjoyable for the first time. And not just because of the sex. You're confusing, and frustrating, and you piss me off sometimes, but I love being around you, talking with you, everything. For the first time in my existence, I feel as though there someone else out there who cares about me. I will do anything to preserve that, even face down the Wild Hunt or fight a Cave Troll._

Dana is silent for a bit after your speech. Then, in a small voice, "I still can't help you if you get into trouble." You can't argue with her there. Although...? What if we can change that? Dana looks up at you. When you catch sight of her tear-stained face, your heart clenches. "How?" she asks. "Well, there is the loot back at the cave. Maybe you'll be able to use some of that," you suggest. Dana gives a small shrug of her shoulders. "I guess, but I'm still a priestess. You cannot be an effective priestess without a connection to a god." You can think of another option, but it may not be popular. Well, uh, what about my Sacred Seed? You ask cautiously. "What?" Dana asks confused. Er, you know, the stuff that made you green, you remind her, wary of her reaction. She stares at you for a second. "You mean become a monster," she says, her voice betraying nothing. Not necessarily, you say, It might just, change what kind of hero you are. We don't know. Dana stares at you solemnly for a while, her lips pursed. Finally, "I'll consider it," she says, and lays her head back on your chest.

You let out a sigh. Well, that went well. You let your mind relax, as you settle back into peace and quiet.