it made more sense in my head...

“I’m nervous because of the magic, ya dolt!” she snapped, but then calmed down slightly. 

“I’m nervous because my parents were attacked by some humans who did dark magic to get to the king. They were cowards, but they had reason to be I guess.” A heavy sigh passed the elf’s lips before she looked away. “I’ve always told myself I would have done the same and died in the line of fire. But, seeing you. Seeing your dad… Gods, seeing Callum.”

“I’m starting to understand why they ran.”

( ✧ζ ;  ) for a split second, the consequences forgo her mind and claudia contemplates putting rayla in her place. but that's only a moment, and it passes, as moments tend to do. besides, she's not even sure what "her place" was anymore. but dolt? seriously? she wants to bring up the name-calling. she doesn't.

instead, she just stands there patiently, crossing her arms as she watches rayla-- listens. when the elf is finished speaking, she hums.

               "i think i understand. dark magic can be... volatile                sometimes. dangerous, if you don't know what                 you're doing. it might look a little scary to people                 who aren’t familiar with it-- who don’t...get it.”

she sighs, taking a step closer to rayla, testing the metaphorical waters.

“You think you can hit more than a trained assassin whos primary weapon is a bow? I’d like to see you try.”

( ✧ζ ;  ) she's barely failing to hide a giddy smile.

“I’m not scared. I’m just… nervous.”

( ✧ζ ;  ) "well, you shouldn't be. i'll have you know i'm fantastic at what i do.                in fact, some might say i'm a prodigy. actually, some do say that--                most say that!"

a gentle laugh escapes under her breath. her commentary on her own abilities felt borderline silly.

“Riiiiiight. Sure.”

( ✧ζ ;  ) she starts off in the direction of the forest, throwing one last glance over her shoulder to make sure rayla was following.

“I didn’t say you were weird and creepy, I said your magic was.” Taking a deep breath she sighs. 

“What do you want me to do?”

( ✧ζ ;  ) she couldn't help but grin at that. she had been studying for a few days prior and eagerly awaited the chance to give some new spells a whirl. now that she had a proper volunteer (well, almost. rayla was more a victim-eer of sorts), she could finally begin.

“You just want me to be a lab rat for your weird creepy magic.”

( ✧ζ ;  ) claudia giggles. maybe a little laughter would help diffuse the situation. but it wasn’t all forced. the look on rayla’s face was irrefutably amusing.

               "please, is that really all you think of me? weird and creepy?" 

because you might be right...

Is that all they thought of the elves? If they weren’t ruthless killing machines they were lab rats.

“Guinea pig? You want me to do what exactly?”

( ✧ζ ;  ) she smiles innocently.