"Sorry, what? You wanna run that by me again?" Hope stands, and Anna pulls off the cloth tied around her head, giving it to Hope to cover up.
"It's a well known ability of paladins to channel divine energy into a touch-based healing power." Kiriel pulls Amadeo to his feet before lifting Valkyrie off the ground.
"So...No, I still don't get it." Hope shakes her head.
"You've taken your first step as a paladin. Saving the people around you." Kiriel's toothy smile widens as they hold out the shimmering weapon to her. "Congratulations, my dear."
Hope stares at them in silence. She looks down at her hands, shaking but unharmed. No burns, no scars. She eyes the weapon warily, so focused on it that she jumps when a hand intertwines with hers. Amadeo stands beside her as Anna steps forward with Tyrion, all of them grasping the devilkin's hand. Giving them a small nod, Hope reaches out with her free hand to Valkyrie.
Slowly, ever so slowly, fingers gingerly touch the steel pommel shaped like a horse's head. Her eyes look over the shape of the handle, leather wrapped around a wooden core. She glances down to the crossguard, carved like the spread wings of a swan. Then finally, the long shimmering blade ending in an outward facing curve like an oversized scimitar. She traces the grip, preparing for the inevitable burning of her skin like all the tales tell. But as she wraps her hand around it...nothing. No burn, no sizzle, only a gentle warmth. Grasping it more tightly, she lets go of her party's hands and holds the grip with both fists. It feels heavy, but not as much as she expected.
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"I knew it." Kiriel speaks up, breaking Hope's focus as she turns to face them. "Knew what?"
"The moment I saw that work of art you call a weapon strapped to your back, I knew you were a special bunch. But we can talk about that later. The cleanup's mostly finished, so head back to the guildhall when you're ready. I'll see you there." They turn, an energy collecting in their feet as they bound off in the direction of the Wild Hunt.
Hope looks at the sword in her hand as Tyrion picks up his dagger, looking over it carefully. "No nicks, no scratches. Does my mother know how to forge a blade or what?" He grins, sheathing it in his boot.
"I'm sorry, Tyrion. I didn't mean to drop it." Hope kneels to get on eye level with the halfling, who waves her off.
"Don't worry your pretty head over it, Red. Looks to me like you found something much more your size." He gestures to the blade and smiles.
"Yeah, that's quite a catch...Can we go home now?" Anna asks, holding a hand over her heart and breathing deep.
"Yes. I think today's relaxation period is over." Amadeo dusts himself off and wipes his brow of sweat. "Let's go back to the guildhall...Hope, are you coming?"
The devilkin stands silently, the sunlight piercing through storm clouds as rain begins to plip and plop across her face. She nods after a moment. "Yeah, I'm coming. Just...taking a moment to remember someone dear to me." Her fingers grip the hilt of Valkyrie a little tighter. Turning away from the devastation, she follows the party to the guildhall, the sky seeming to empty about them.