...Oh sweet Kia.
Einin had just disrobed and sank into the tub, which was gloriously perfect, when Mei...answered her question, alright.
It started out normal enough. As in, her very first sentence was normal.
And then very quickly took a turn for the horrific. As in, her second sentence was oh dear gods WHY?!
Einin's stomach twisted, a sick feeling rolling around in her gut. The water was warm, but her blood felt icy as Mei continued her story that just grew worse and worse with each passing word. Sold. Raped. Forced to work in a brothel. She stared into the water, her hands clutching the vial of oil, and drew in a sharp, deep breath. This was exactly why she did what she did, wasn't it? Why she wanted to become a knight? To protect people like this. To protect other women, who so many seemed to view as worth no more than what was between their legs.
And on some levels, she could relate to Mei's story. Being forced to marry felt like being sold. And gods, but she had been assaulted, too. Einin swallowed and took in another deep breath.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.