Mysterious Woman: I heard quite a stir out here, Garth. Is there something wrong?
Garth pushes himself in front of Vanna, completely obscuring Pavel in the sweep of his robes. Vanna looks on in continued confusion but Halea doesn’t even blink at the odd behavior. Garth sweats a bit more.
Garth: No, not a thing, Lady Halea. Just a small conversation. So sorry to have bothered you. Please, go about your business!
Halea: Really, Garth? If that’s a Horizon Child behind you… Then this is very much my business.
Pavel peeks out from behind Garth’s robes, and then when Garth steps aside, stares up at the priestess, his headdress held in front of him. Halea kneels down and holds her candle up to Pavel’s face, as though to inspect his bite.
Halea: A high priestess must tend to every bird in her flock… Especially the doves. And there’s something special about this dove, isn’t there? Well met, Little One.
Pavel stares at the woman, in all her height, formal wear, esteemed religious position, and… prodigious shape, and raises a hand to wave.
Pavel: Hi.
Halea: Forgive me for staring, child-- But your face is… familiar to me. It reminds me of someone I held dear to my heart. Someone I lost… a very long time ago. Clearly, you wear your injuries with grace.
Pavel: Thank you. You… too.
The pair are speaking on the path beside a lily pad pond. A lantern hanging in the arch of a doorway throws them into shadow. The silhouettes of Pavel’s spines and Halea’s headdress are eerily similar.
Halea: Oh..? Me too?
Pavel: Your eyes-- They’re glass. Are you… blind?
Halea: Oh, child… Aren’t we all?
She reaches up to touch a finger to her glass eye.
