#evangeline asks

8. What is something they cannot resist?

Hm, there's a few things. Tall buff tiefling women, for one. Calls for adventure and her wanderlust. But I think she also can't resist asking if people are okay. Partly because she's a very compassionate person and is always checking up on people because she genuinely cares and wants to see if she can assist in any way, and partly because she's on the lookout for any sign that they're upset with her. Of course her asking sometimes does make them upset with her but that's besides the point, she's just not going to stop worrying or checking up on people, she doesn't want anyone to feel left out, forgotten, or cast aside the way that she has been in the past. She picks up on the smallest changes in demeanor and tries to subtly figure out if she's done something so that she can rectify it.

28. Why do they keep secrets?

Because people ask her to, or for safety. She's dealt with all types of people and she knows that secrets are very often held to keep people safe. She herself hides her appearance occasionally with a hood just to pass through without a fuss, she isn't ashamed of her heritage (anymore...) she just finds that talking to someone first, letting them get to know her and showing her character leads to better results and reactions than just a drow showing up does. And she doesn't mean to hide stuff about her past, she just doesn't want to talk about it that much and would rather talk about something else. But she will explain things such as where she came from or the origins of her scars if she's pressed, she's just not that happy about it.

But she'll always keep secrets if people ask her to - Shadowheart being Sharran (though maybe be more subtle about it…? Might keep your secret longer girl) is an example.

53. What does freedom mean to them?

This one stumped me for a little, but I think it's different if she's considering other's freedom vs. her own freedom. For herself, she feels free when she can travel anywhere, basically whenever she wants. If something is barring her from being able to drop what she's doing and go to a different town, she feels trapped. If she ever had a kid for example, once they were old enough she would start traveling again. She would struggle with a partner that wants to stay in one place for a long time, its why her and Shadowheart wouldn't work long-term. She could settle for a year or two, but if she feels like she couldn't just skip town in the morning, she isn't free.

Her view on freedom for other people is pretty complicated but she doesn't see "being able to make your own decisions" as freedom, for sure. Because sometimes people use that choice to hurt others and whatnot and then that's not freedom to the people they hurt, etc. Also what you want isn't always what you need, and doing things you don't necessarily want to do just because it makes other's lives nicer is better than just taking the easy route of being harmful - it's easy to be mean to people, its really really hard to be nice to everyone. Hard to put it into words tbh.

58. What's a habit that needs to be broken?

(Evangeline would think Espa is weird. Espa would not think much of Evangeline at all.)

Sabre would be insantly shitting scared of Eliah also. She IS very imposing. Like Espa he is very stiff and quick to obey but he's much more freaked out about it than they are. He doesn't want to mess it up (he always messes it up). Eliah kind of picks up on his nervousism but doesn't comment. She likes it, honestly. It's good when people are scared of her. They should be.

Moving on: Key and Espa would be a little funny. Key is falling back on hospitality and offering it a seat and a room and a drink and Espa doesn't want to be stubborn and refuse but people don't give it nice things and it feels weird in accepting. Both of their comfort zones/default behavior is surrounded by a lot of fawning and servicing others and being unobtrusive but Key can be much more assertive about it than Espa is; they are a little outnumbered and end up accepting the tea. Key doesn't dislike them, but they are wary. They like reading people to get an assessment of if they should be cautious/scared/resigned/at ease and Espa is really fucking difficult to read. She is very polite but also quiet and doesn't give much of an impression to be honest and Key is not sure of how to mentally label her. So, they are not opposed to having her as a guest again, but wether they feel good or bad about her is still up in the air. Espa does not open its game and that makes Key uneasy. It does not realize this. It just doesn't want to cause trouble.

If we were in Espa's zone, however; they will still try to respect their percieved ~authority~, but in an emmergency/hazardous situation, they will hold their ground and take steps to efficiently take care of the situation and get all relevant parties to safety. Depending on the amount of force/aggression used, Key is slightly stressed. People who are strong enough to hurt you are always going to do it, sooner or later. Espa picks up on the change and deflates. They sink down on themself further and try to not be scary. It works, a bit. Key is only slightly wary instead of seeing her as a potential/impending threat. If there was no gory show of violence, though, Key becomes much more fond of their whole presence. Still unsure about how to categorize her; but it is clearly trustworthy and both able and willing to help. They are more than welcome to come another time. Key won't be displeased about it

Also, if it were Ann with Key instead, they would immediately clock her as an obnoxious bastard and just quietly serve her the drinks and do their job without as much as an expression. They do not like her and although you can't say they aren't being gracious and helpful it is a little clear that they are sort of looking down on her. They are cautious, but they aren't fully afraid. They will not sabotage her or speak ill of her or even waste brainpower wishing she'd just be gone alrrady and will just deal with it in their little Key way but they secretly think she is a little pathetic. Grown ass woman. They will perfectly serve the tea and biscuits and clean her water spill without a second thought. It is with an air of condescence that Ann might only slightly pick up on but can not do anything about. Even she knows that there is nothing concrete to complain about aside from faint vibes. She crosses her arms; it's not even her servant. She just has to accept the tea and hope they'll make a mistake she can complain about. They never do.

Key with Eliah would fall into a very comfortable dynamic for the both of them. Eliah likes people who listen to her and are efficient; Key likes having clear instructions and expectations to fulfill. This is a familiar situation for all parties and none will dislike it. Eliah is not unreasonable or unpleasant and Key can deal with that.

Key would find Evangeline a little cute but it would be a little similar. They end up being a little more friendly towards kids, subcounsciously, but their general demeanor doesnt change much. Ev is slightly intimitated but thinks they are cool.

Bonus - Ann + Eliah: Ann loses. It is not a conpetition but she does either way. Eliah knows to keep her cool. Ann is smart and will know she can't just do whatever she wants like usual; it's like being on a meeting with an important person or talking to a superior. She is very sulky about this. Eliah knows it. She is very condescending about it. It infuriates the shit out of Ann. I cheer from the sidelines.