doctor doctor

It was good that Laeta had assured her that nothing she said would leave the room. Avantika wasn't secretive, but she did like her independence. She wanted closeness and vulnerability, but she couldn't figure out how to trust it. She'd told Art about these fears, at least, a while ago, and he had been very kind about it. He always seemed to know just what to say. But then, she trusted her leader and brother more than most. She wasn't sure why she was trusting Laeta.

But the woman's calm softness drew her in, and so did her reassurances that Avantika's dedication was admirable. There was a long moment of silence. Avantika didn't know what else she could or even wanted to say. Laeta gave her an easy question, and she almost scoffed. "Of course." She thought for a second. "I guess the plague kind of... brought it into the light, for me? I've worried about pretty much everything all of my life, but it was hard having something that no one understands or can control or fight or anything, you know? I like fighting; that's why I have the rank I have. It makes me feel strong, or like, I can't think about anything else when I'm in a spar or a fight." She acknowledged that she was very much babbling and hushed herself. "I like knowing that I'm not helpless."

"Speech"