[ Nowadays, Lottie feels more a spectacle than usual. She thinks it has something to do with the fact she was birthed from an abyss, a pool of water that left her alarmed and lost. Everything is a blur, a body on autopilot. Even hours after, fitted with clothing she is still shivering and lost. On the verge of a complete break (is she crazy?) and epiphany (is she crazy?) - she can't tell and it scares her. Not enough to outright say anything, to explicitly brag about the sign of the Hermit emblazoned on her tunic. Really, she hopes her hair obscures it enough when she moves through the halls as the apprentices recall tale after tale of her, her exploits.

The whole ordeal is awful, gives her the biggest case of imposter syndrome she's had to date and it makes her gut churn. She wonders if her new roommates feel the same way, the other heroes everyone has heard about. She sits plainly on an empty bed, doesn't even feel like she's really speaking from the shock of it all when she addresses the person sitting pretty across from her - ]

Did you catch.. What kind of peril the kingdom is in?

[ Don't they think it's weird she can't do anything? How have they not seen past this barely there facade of 'I'm fine' and 'I'm definitely a wizard!'. Lottie feels like she's going to throw up amidst all the learning and the polite conversations, and the magic. She leans up against a wall, right beside the entrance after her session, hand pleasantly (alarmingly) warm.

She doesn't quite notice the company she has, not until she sways a shaky hand right in your direction - poised, ready to do something so long as she wills it. It's clear, after a moment, it doesn't quite work - a fresh, pleasant breeze wafts your way. Her expression is, in this order: embarrassed, frustrated, and surprised. ]

Oh, god - sorry, I didn't see you there. I didn't mean to do anything!

[ 'They pose a great threat to the Kingdom'.. They said. The guards are completely adamant about this, so much that Lottie can't really argue against it the first time she wanders to the dungeon. She doesn't live here, they're probably right.. Right?

It's her third visit after making a 'friend', so to speak. Someone to come talk to that isn't glitz and glamour (not like the #DungeonLife is better, but it makes her feel grounded, a bit better about herself). Today, she's snuck in some food - a simple pastry, and a little book. Big enough to hide beneath her clothes, interesting enough to stow away for another day. She sits beside the bars as best she can, unnaturally silent today. And then: ]

Are you really that dangerous?

[ or hit me up with something else, i'm open to anything! feel free to pm or pp snottie if you want something specific 💕 ]