[ Merisia can't help a weak smile, offering a quiet but noticeable warmth of appreciation in return. It's getting harder and harder to believe that she'd sooner hurl insults and maybe a few miasma spells at this kid rather than speak to him. How did this end up happening, again? Whatever it was, she's glad it happened. ]

Well, I'm not going anywhere. And the sooner we get this over with, the better.

[ And less time for her to change her mind and suddenly back off all over again. If the past has taught her anything, it's that hesitation can be quite a disastrous downfall. ]

I'm home right now, so I'll wait for you here.