one small life in exchange for a second chance at history?
            I'VE ALWAYS LOVED A BARGAIN

Naerys was comfortable existing in her own little bubble with Mauja. Comfortable ignoring the majority of the crowd and their insistent greed. Comfortable blocking out the bird creature's harsh tones as best as she could. But her comfort doesn't last. It never does. Naerys merely listens to the suggestions and offers of those gathered, followed almost immediately by the creature's typically terse reply. Some of the offers seemed to placate Byrd, as he so aptly called himself, but none seemed to gain his favor enough for him to relinquish his prize.

Byrd quite readily addressed her comment, eerily pointing out the concern in her own heart. For a moment her confidence slips and were it not for the fur upon her face, the flush in her cheeks would have been a dead giveaway. Beside her, Mauja remains her anchor. His mere presence is enough to bring her back to her true self, reigniting the flame of her own confidence. Teal eyes find what little she could see of Byrd from her current location and pin him with a fearless stare. "I am here for the warmth." She declares, her voice firm with her confidence. "Just as you appear to be."

She might have left it there, adamant with her own decision had it not been for the declarations of those around her. Most declared their desire for something good - like healing or shielding the ones they cared for but they weren't the cause of her concern. Some voiced their desires for destruction; a fact that left her heart clenched and her mind reeling with images of Mauja's burned face. She did not want the magic herself - she believes that down to her very core but counting herself out of the running meant increasing the probability of those hell bent on destruction obtaining their desires.

And that could mean seeing someone else she cared about hurt or worse.

So as Mauja canted his head to her, she lifts her face towards his with the intent of touching her soft lips to his cheek. He doesn't make any move to leave, despite the blaze of fire and the potential for danger, and so the girl remains as well. Steadfast in her position by his side. His words join the rest and though it stirs several questions within her mind, she remains quiet. As the voices of the others dissipate, she finds her own once more. "I seek knowledge and truth." She intentionally remains vague, her sweetly feminine voice holds a level of strength she hasn't fully displayed before. She still didn't want his magic orb but should she be chosen, at least it wouldn't be used for bad things.

NAERYS