So I Was Minding My Own Business...

Hurt? Calista scoffed as she rolled her shoulders, though her wince betrayed her. Her left arm hung a little too stiffly at her side, and dark crimson streaked the fabric of her tunic. Takes more than these bastards to keep me down. Nothing a stiff drink and some stitches won’t fix.

Her gaze lingered on Cassian, sharp with scrutiny but tempered by a flicker of grudging appreciation. He carried himself with that no-nonsense demeanor she’d come to associate with seasoned warriors, but there was a deliberate lack of cruelty in his movements. That was rare enough to notice.

As the children vanished into the underbrush, Calista straightened, flipping her daggers to their sheaths in a practiced motion. Kids are fine, she said. A bit shaken, but they’ll live. Can’t say the same for our dearly departed friends here, but hey, better them than us, right? She flashed a lopsided grin that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

When he introduced himself, her brow arched. Cassian Maxwell, huh? Well, that’s a name with all the pomp and circumstance of a Fereldan war hound. She paused, tilting her head in exaggerated thought. Though you fight better than one, I’ll give you that. Calista, by the way. But you can call me Cali. Or don’t. Depends on how much longer you’re planning to stick around.

She glanced back toward the underbrush, listening for the rustling of the kids retreating further away from the carnage. Satisfied, she returned her attention to Cassian, her demeanor shifting slightly, less combative but no less intense.

So, Cass, what brings you to this lovely slice of nowhere? Something tells me you weren’t just out for a scenic ride when you stumbled into this mess. She gestured to the scattered bodies with a sweeping motion of her hand. Not that I’m complaining. The theatrics? Solid ten out of ten. I especially liked the part where you stabbed that one through the heart. Classic hero move.

Her smile softened, but her stance remained guarded. It always did. Just trying to figure out if I should be thanking you or watching my back.