Foggy Bottom Way [m] el mar

As little as Valiria cared to hear the tale, she listened to her father's and then the woman's words silently. It was only then that she turned her attention away from the enemy to study her father's face as he spoke, and even when he had grown silent, she watched him still. For as stoic, often unfriendly and gruff as she was, she understood people. She saw them. And in her father, she saw grief and remorse that went bone deep. Had his actions been terrible? Yes. Had he a price to pay yet? Perhaps, but it was a debt that was clearly being paid, and likely would be for a long time to come.

And it would not be paid with his life.

Liri straightened and turned her attention back to the woman. There she saw bitterness and rage. Anguish and hurt as well. Did she deserve what had happened to her? No. But this pitiful, mad creature need not have existed. Everyone had a choice with what became of them after tragedy and misfortune. Liri had chosen to move on and rise above when she'd lost her family. Try to make a new life for herself. This woman had met demons and chosen to become a nasty old crone, sick with thoughts of vengeance and murder.

Valiria took a few steps forward towards her, head held high and muscles tense as she moved to meet Cornelius, standing protectively in front of their father. She listened as he spoke, agreeing fully with his words. "And call your dog off our brother before we have to put it down," she added with a low rumble.