[ If their situations were reversed, Tsutha would feel the same. She doesn't like burdening other people. But she doesn't like watching other people burden themselves, either. They may have paired up pretty much at random, but Tsutha cares about Ferran now, and doesn't want him to be hurt all by himself. ]

Then consider me open for complaining whenever and wherever, about whatever! Not just monster-y stuff, but if somebody shoves you on the sidewalk or something, I'll listen to you rant about what an asshole they were!

[ As for how she's faring... She sighs and he might feel a certain undercurrent of unease through the bond, as much as she tries to keep a smile on her face and in her voice. ]

Oh, you know. I've been keeping busy. The Coven classes are... hard... but I'm trying my best! I want to get back in fighting form before anything really bad happens.

[ The genuine chuckle makes a warmth grow in Tsutha's chest-- another emotion that might leak out into the bond between them. She always likes making people laugh. It's better than making people feel sad or afraid. ]

Really? You would do that? Don't you have classes of your own and other stuff to deal with? [ She seems to remember there being Coven classes for monsters as well, though she can't help the tone of hopefulness in her voice. ]

[ She knows the feeling of not being able to handle a lot of free time. It's part of why she's volunteered for so much work this month, both at the tavern and inn where she's staying, and at the community gardens. ]

That would be [ deep, relieved sigh ] really great. There's this one spell I'm trying to learn... it's one I knew back home, and I described it to the witch at the Coven, and she gave me this book she says has the spell in it, but... I can't... [ The book does her no good if she can't read it. ]

If you could just help me with that one spell, I promise, I'll find a way to pay you back for it.

[ She wouldn't normally be so cagey if she hadn't had that conversation with That One Guy who cut her right to the core with his scathing observation of her character. She's been playing things closer to the chest since then. ]

It's called Absorb Elements! ...Well, I mean, that's what it's called back home. I don't know if they call it something else here.

Basically, if someone attacks me with a spell that does elemental harm-- fire, ice, lightning, acid, stuff like that-- then I can absorb the incoming energy, lower the amount of damage I take, and then redirect the damage to the next person I hit with my weapon.

It is useful! [ It would be even more useful if Tsutha actually ever... used a weapon...

For the only half-orc present in Geardagas, she's not exactly a textbook example of one. ]

I heard they're diseased or something, right? And it's super infectious, so we have to be careful if or when we leave the city.

[ Really, that news was the only thing keeping her inside the city walls. Setting down roots, especially in a town, isn't normally her style. ]

What? [ She hadn't heard that part. There's an instant spike of concern through the bond. Worry. Protectiveness. ]

Because you're a monster? Or because of the kind of monster you are?

For sure... If you ever have to go, I'll go with you so I can make sure I destroy the Cwyld stuff before it ever gets to you.

[ Destroy it... by setting it on fire! ]

Don't mention it! After all, what are bond partners for?

[ It'll be f i n e ]

Yeah? I took up a job, too, at the Sly Seadog Tavern. But they're pretty chill about letting me do my own thing in between the lunch and dinner rushes. If you want to come over there sometime tomorrow, I'll probably be there most of the day, and then I'm staying in a room upstairs, so I'll be there at night, too.

[ Working in exchange for a room is kind of like free housing, in that no money is exchanging hands! Eh, it works for now. She'll find something more permanent once her gig at the Seadog is up. ]

Tomorrow night sounds good! I'll save you some dinner to pay you back, how about that?