Part 315: Vaike A

Vaike?

Hold on. YOU wanna talk to ME? Ain't that a kick in the teeth! But before ya start, I gotta apologize for all the blather the other day.

No apology is necessary. For some reason, I... enjoy talking with you.But I enjoy fighting with you even more. I have learned much at your side.

Har! They don't call me Teach for nothin' And in truth, I appreciate the backup.

You should be more careful about diving into the midst of the foe.

Har har! A tiger can't change his spots. Crazy Vaike, they used to call me!

Heh...

Well slap my side and call me a drum. You CAN laugh! You should do it more often, ya know? It makes your whole face light up.

Now you mock me! I know I must seem strange and... ugly in your eyes.

Ogre's teeth! Have you gone daft?! Taguel and humans both got beauty to spare! ...And maybe even a little ugly, too.

How can you be so blind to the gulf that exists between our races?

I just see a woman who like to imagine walls where there ain't none. Human, taguel, pixie, or troll: if yer loyal and true, we can be friends.

I wish I could believe that.