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[Vanessa looks tired; but of course everyone does. There are a few healing cuts along her forehead, but otherwise she looks unharmed.]

I am sure that all of you have seen the offers from the Spires for safehaven. We are here to serve you, and protect you as much as possible. I have watched the fires from Caer Scima...we will rebuild. But until then, you all have a home with us. If you need refuge, I will not turn you away. You will be safe.

And we will avenge those of us who have fallen. They will not get away with this.

[Locked to the Spires, VIA Rin's communication device]

I know things are in chaos, at the moment. But we need to try and coordinate. Pooling our resources so we do not duplicate efforts. With the fall of Caer Scima, we are the main defenses and homes for our people, now.

['Our people'. How strange it feels on her lips. But it seems she has fallen into feeling that they are kin to her quickly. After an entire life of feeling singular and apart from the world, she has found a home here. A dangerous thing. But welcoming as well.]

I have a favor to do for Saber, soon. So I will not be at my Spire. But I will still be accessible via locket.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And how do you plan on doing that? [Sounds like he may be more on her side than she originally thought.]

Oh can you?

You know very little about me. Are you so sure I can be trusted? I don't even know your name.

Give them incentive for them not to. [ He snaps his fingers, a tongue of flame flickering to life from it before dying off. Fire's always a good incentive, right?

He tilts his head, studying her. ] You care about people, and you want to rebuild; that's good enough for me. [ He smiles, a flicker of the old, flirtatious playfulness back in his eyes. ] Although if you'd like me to get to know you better, I'm sure something can be arranged. Name's Johnny Storm.

An interesting little trick. [She knows it is powerful; she is minimizing it purposefully.]

Is it?

[She smiles, a little; but it doesn't reach her eyes. She knows the effect she has on men. She isn't overly fond of it.]

I am more than interested if you are wiling to assist, Mister Storm. But no more than that.

[ And oh, he gets the message loud and clear, and he smiles, gracefully taking the hint. ]

I'm always keen to help. [ Especially now, more than ever, when the scale of destruction is so painfully obvious. ] By the way, I never got your name.

No, you did not.

[A little wider smile. One that reaches her eyes. Yes, she is teasing.]

[ All right, she's definitely got him right there. Johnny's amused, smiling at her tease. ]

May I have it, please? It's going to be hard going from spire to spire asking for a beautiful, dark-haired woman.

Baroness Vanessa Ives.

I am also known as the Lady Shade, here.

Lady Shade.

[ Man, Baroness? He's meeting lots of people with fancy titles here. ]

So, what do you need done?

Unless you are good at building, I need people protecting my spire, while I build homes for the refugees. Until we rebuild the castle, people need a home. I aim to provide that.

It's great that you're doing that for them, especially when the weather's turning cold.

[ That's quite the thing now, isn't it? People needing a home. Johnny can get behind that. ]

I'm helping Ariadne out for the main part, but I can drop by at night, keep your people safe for a few hours. How's that sound?

I suppose--it is important that everyone has a home here, regardless of the weather.

[She gives a nod.]

That would be wonderful, actually. You can send Ariadne my regards.

Sure thing. I'll come by in a couple of days and look for you.

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