"I kept Valkyrie because I wasn't given a choice, but I've never used it. I can't even bear to touch it with my bare hands on the off chance." Hope sits back, watching the storm outside.

"The off chance what?" Anna looks confused.

"These weapons are made to combat evil. Evil cannot even touch them without pain. There's devil blood in me. I'm certain Valkyrie would react to it." Hope runs her fingers through her hair in thought.

"That's quite the story, Red." Tyrion sips his ale. "It explains why you sometimes look like you do. Like you think you're a burden."

Hope shakes her head. "Because it's true. Valkyrie deserves a better champion. At this point, I'm just hoping it'll latch onto someone else. But so far, nothing. I know if I leave it somewhere, that'll be even worse. I just wish it would figure out the truth."

"What truth is that?" Tyrion sets his mug down and folds his arms. "The truth that is, or the truth you believe to be correct? Perception and reality are not always the same thing, Red."

"I dunno if I believe in special weapons that can judge you to be worthy or not, but..." Amadeo thinks for a moment before nodding. "You've proven yourself to be a good person regardless of your blood a few times already. So what if you've been so angry you started a fire? We all have our boiling point. What matters is that you didn't let yourself be moulded by how others saw you. You chose to become your own woman. And that's amazing."

Anna takes Hope's hands, squeezing them softly and pressing her ashen face into them. "You're not a burden. You're warm and inviting, you make sure we're safe before you look after yourself. You have a gentle soul. A hardened soul, but a gentle one nonetheless. You know how to laugh at yourself and the world around you. You're so strong of body. You may not get it, but I do. You're a natural born defender. You, Hope of Loheim, are better than you think you are. And I've enjoyed every moment I've spent in your presence."

Hope looks at Anna for a brief moment, pulling her hands away and almost seeming to shake. "You find the right man to say that to, and you'll be on your way to a duchy." Anna shakes her head. "Nah, I'm not really into men."

Tyrion chokes on his ale, and Amadeo rolls his eyes, smacking the halfling on the back. "Easy now, little man."

"I bet you'll figure it out for yourself eventually. I just wanted to let you know what I think." The dark elf pulls her red skinned companion to her, embracing in a tender hug. Hope shivers, latching onto Anna and burying her face in the elf's neck, saying nothing.

Amadeo looks at Tyrion, who shrugs before standing on the table to join the little cuddle pile. Amadeo soon follows suit, and Hope finds herself immersed in the warmth of her party. She silently cries, thanking whatever god is listening for these three dear people. The storm lessens, though the pounding rain and booming thunder still echoes outside.