Adelan and Serenian. That meant something to Vailea, only in that she knew what it meant. The impact of it though, was lost on her. What Vailea had been before she'd became a lich was lost to time and memory. Now, such labels seemed petty and entertaining. Did where someone was born really matter all that much?
To some, it did.
The relationships made mattered more to her. Fascinated her more. To hear Nera talk of it, though, it made it all seem so important. It likely was, because it was something meaningful in her so short life. Vailea had seen so many people come and go, had killed so many herself, that attaching
emotion to others seemed... trivial. Something to entertain her for a time, to pass the time, but not something that she would likely carry on into the ages.
All the more reason to live and enjoy every day she had, because she likely wouldn't remember it hundreds of years from now.
The talk of hunting was equally entertaining. She spoke of killing animals like it was a sport. Did the girl understand the parallels of hunting ships? Likely not. Or how someone as long lived as Vailea might see those like Nera much like Nera saw the elk. Something to chase down and enjoy for a time.
The lich, however, opted to catch and release every now and then.
Vailea took another long inhale, feeling the sweet smoke fill her old lungs, and let out an equally long exhale. "You need a drink, girl. Come along." With the ghost of a grin, the lich turned on her heel. One hand on Nera's hip, tugging her along. Back to her cabin, where oil lights still flickered and cast dancing shadows. "And I won't let you say no to this." Cigars weren't for everyone, the lich could agree. But alcohol? That was just nature's way of being nice.
She guided Nera into her cabin and only then did she release the girl's hip, walking over to her large desk and sliding open the bottom drawer. Glass clinked. Vailea drew out one of the bottles and set it on the desk. "Care to open it?" she teased. It was a cork stoppered bottle. The girl might struggle some, but it wouldn't be too difficult. The captain pulled herself up, sitting on the edge of her desk, cigar in the corner of her mouth.
@MischiefNotManaged
