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Name

Valeria R. Lubozynski

Age

23

Sexuality

Confused/unknown

Role

Outlaw

Birthdate

December 7th

Aroma

Musky vanilla, coffee bean

Appearance

Upon first glance, Valeria looks completely sweet and innocent. She stands at 5'4, with a muscular and feminine build. She's muscular from the years of being on the run, fending for herself and providing for herself. Her skin is gently tanned from constantly being out in the sun, yet some spots are much paler than others. Like her underarms, and her chest for example. Valeria does have a very feminine frame, with a large chest size and a small waist that curves sharply into her wide hips. Her ribcage is small and narrow, as is her shoulders. Although her femininity most definitely shouldn't be mistaken for weakness.

Valeria has a rather pretty face. Her features are mostly soft. Her face is oval shaped, and her cheekbones are wider and the most prominent feature of her face. Her forehead and jawline are slightly smaller than her cheekbones, and her jawline is slightly curved around the edges. Her nose is slender and pointed at the end, upturned slightly. A very unique feature about her is her teeth. She has a double set of canines, with two very sharp canine teeth on the top row, and two very sharp canines on the bottom as well. They've always been there, and are both praised and hated on.

Valeria has full lips, and can be described as having a well-defined pout. They are a soft pink in color, though she likes to wear red or dark red lipstick. Her eyes are very expressive and cat-like in shape. Her eyes are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful things about her. The prettiest shade of light green, almost like glittering pools of green. They have small lines and flecks of darker green and gold in them, and when the sun hits just right, that gold is illuminated. Her hair is another pretty feature.

Long, wavy brunette hair. It has been highlighted by the sun, so in some spots it appears to be lighter than the rest. It falls halfway down her back, and is often braided back. Despite her violent nature, she likes to braid flowers into it. Particularly daisies. Speaking of flowers, she loves them. She wears jewelry made of flowers and whatnot, like a daisy chain bracelet made with dried flowers. A piece of jewelry she never takes off is her cross. It's a small, yet noticeable silver cross that's seen its fair share of things. It sits nestled between her collarbones and often glints in the light. Often times, Valeria can be seen holding it between her hands and kissing it. Particularly during troublesome situations.

Personality

Valeria is definitely quite an unpredictable woman. She's both gentle and violent by nature. In the flip of a switch, she could be the most sweet and loving woman ever, or she could be the devil herself. It's safe to say that she definitely has some major issues going on, but it's not necessarily something she can help. To start, she's highly romantic. She's possessive, obsessive, and will not let something go once she has sunk her claws in. Everything she's ever let go of has claw marks on it. Meaning, she's made some sort of deep, not necessarily good impact on it. Valeria cannot help her nature.

In some cases, she's like a sacrificial lamb. Thats what her parents called her, that's often her nickname used by bounty hunters. Her youth, her childhood, her gentleness was sacrificed for a cause unknown to those but her parents. She still clings onto that soft side of hers, revealing it on the very rare occasion. Mostly to victims she particularly favors, and thinks deserve some sort of kindness in their last moments. She's soft and thoughtful, and weirdly gentle. But of course, very, very few manage to see this side of her. She likes to put up a violent front to keep her intimidation front up. She doesn't understand gentleness anymore. It's not quite in her nature anymore.

And now, her other side. Her violent and haphazard nature. Valeria is not necessarily cruel, she has some sort of mercy and empathy, despite her being so messed up. Even if she's a small woman, she has a looming sense of dread and danger that follows her everywhere she goes. A small warning for those around her to keep far back almost like a caution sign. Valeria is not one to cross. She will go to the ends of the earth to seek revenge, and won't stop until the revenge served is much, much worse than what originally happened.

Valeria doesn't understand why people can be so soft and gentle and friendly with people they don't have a deep, personal bond with. She does not like strangers, she will not let people get close to her. She doesn't want to learn how to be gentle and soft again and she has high walls put up. A difficult woman to crack, all she cares about is the rush of violence. But in all of this mess, she's lonely. Maybe it's the reason why she's still why she is to this day. Because she's lonely, and it drives her insane to not have someone to turn to when she needs. Deep down, Valeria is vulnerable and the little girl she still craves to be.

It's not her fault she turned out this way. But it is her fault she continues to do these things. Valeria is oddly soft spoken, she speaks with a gentle manner. Something sweet and soft rather than the harshness that would be expected. She's confusing, she's unpredictable, she's dangerous. She's unstable. Perhaps all she needs is someone to balance her out and teach her the gentleness she tries so desperately to push down.

Valeria is a really good listener, very attentive and interested in what someone has to say. She's curious by nature and loves to learn. If in the right mood and to someone trusted, which is really nobody nowadays, she opens up and spills her guts to them. Her childhood. Her struggle with religion. Her deepest desires and fears. The reason why she can't escape the cycle of violence she's caught in.

Backstory

Valeria didn't exactly have a spectacular upbringing. She doesn't like to talk about the details- but she often uses the quote, "I was just a child, but I wasn't above violence," to describe her childhood. She faced a lot of religious struggles and trauma, which leads to her as an adult teetering on the edge of belief and denying the existence of a god. She wears a silver cross around her neck and calls it "insurance." Just in case. With all of her pent up violence and religious struggles, she uses it as an excuse to be an outlaw. To do the unspeakable things she's done.

At the ripe age of 18, Valeria decided enough was enough. She went on a murderous spree- another thing she doesn't like to talk about. But of course, when you kill that many people with half of them being your family, it draws attention. Among other heinous crimes and more murders, she's been on the run since then. A woman to not cross, despite her almost innocent appearance. She's been across half the states, and it seems like no matter where she goes, her own struggles catch up to her.

In an unfortunate escape from the law, her horse Velvet was shot dead. Velvet was the mare she had since childhood and had been on the run with for years. Ever since the death of Velvet, things have certainly gotten worse for her. And while traveling on foot leaves less of a trail, it's much more difficult and strenuous. She uses her religious internal turmoil to 'excuse' her actions, by claiming her victims were unholy and needed to be cleansed. She has a habit of leaving a signature mark on her victims, a small cross carved into their chest, smack dab in the middle. Gruesome and messed up, sure. But to her, it doesn't seem wrong.

Name:

Aella Soren

(eye-la)

Meaning: "whirlwind" (Greek)

Age:

22 years old

Gender:

Female

Sexuality:

Queer/non-identifying

Role:

Farmer

Appearance:

[Credit to malachitinous on Picrew]

Aella possesses an undeniable presence. Standing at a height of approximately 5'7 feet, she is a remarkable combination of elegance and athleticism, her lithe and agile body moving with grace. Aella has a gentle curve to her body, with long legs. Her eyes, framed by thick black eyelashes, are a dazzling shade of moss-green, but sometimes shift to a lighter peridot green in the sun. Aella has a delicate shaped nose and plump red lips. Her hair, a rich shade of ginger, cascades down her back in thick, wavy strands. Her hair tends to be wild and free, which can get in her way. Rarely, is she seen in her natural untamed state. Frequently, she ties her hair into one or two thick braids, with some strands framing her face.

Despite being outside the majority of her time, Aella’s skin is lightly tanned. Remarkably flawless, her skin lacks even the smallest freckle or beauty mark, highlighting her naturally unblemished complexion. Yet, maybe not completely unblemished. What draws the most attention is the pale white scar that traverses a jagged path over one of her eyes. This scar is in stark contrast to her soft beauty. For one who does not enjoy attention, this mark brings many stares and questions. Unfortunately, this is one scar of many. Aella’s back is littered with various scars from being attacked. Her longest scar reaches from the nape of her back, trailing down her spine before curving off towards her ribs. There are a few others scattered about, looking like a splatter painting.

Personality:

Aella loves her alone time. Aella is often seen by herself, wandering the forest and gardens or tending to her animals. She doesn't have many friends- or family - but she is happy. She finds solace and inspiration in moments of solitude. Aella's reclusiveness is a reflection of her respect for personal boundaries. She values her own need for space and understands that others have similar requirements. She's comfortable in moments of silence, whether it's in her own company or shared with others. Aella understands that silence can be an eloquent form of communication. Keeping to herself energizes Aella. While social interactions have their place, she derives strength from her solitary moments, using them as opportunities to recharge her inner resources. Aella believes in sharing her thoughts and feelings with intention. She opens up to those she trusts and respects, valuing genuine connections that honor her tendency to keep to herself. Her tendency to observe from a distance gives Aella a unique vantage point, often sticking to the shadows. She notices subtleties and details that others might overlook, allowing her to gain a deeper understanding of people and situations. While she values her alone time, Aella maintains a delicate balance in her connections. She recognizes the importance of nurturing relationships and selectively participates in social interactions.

Aella tends to keep her emotions and thoughts close to her chest, revealing them only to those she truly trusts. Aella's guarded nature stems from a desire to protect herself from potential emotional harm. Growing up, she was taught to hide her feelings and to not trust anyone. She values vulnerability but is cautious about who she allows to see that side of her. Aella is methodical in building trust. She takes her time to assess others before allowing them into her inner circle, ensuring that she forms connections with individuals who align with her values. When Aella does choose to engage, she communicates honestly and authentically. She's straightforward in her interactions and values straightforwardness in return. Her cold demeanor acts as a boundary, shielding her from potential intrusions. Aella is vigilant about protecting her personal space and emotions, only letting in those who respect her boundaries.

Despite her reserved demeanor, Aella fearlessly stands up for her beliefs. When she does speak out, it's with an assertiveness that demands respect. She's not afraid to challenge authority or question conventional tradition. In her actions, Aella is decisive and resolute. When faced with challenges, she doesn't hesitate to take charge, always striving for solutions that align with her values. Her actions speak volumes about her commitment to making a difference, even if she prefers to avoid the spotlight. She expresses her thoughts and opinions clearly and succinctly, leaving no room for ambiguity. Her straightforwardness ensures that her message is heard and understood. Aella’s assertiveness is most evident in her ability to make decisions with confidence. She doesn't shy away from taking the lead when choices need to be made. Her deliberation is swift, and she trusts her instincts to guide her toward the best course of action.

Beneath her harsh exterior lies a depth of complexity. Those who gain her trust, often see a night and day difference. Aella becomes an eager conversationalist. She engages in deep, meaningful discussions, sharing her thoughts and ideas openly and genuinely. She's more likely to engage in lighthearted banter and share moments of laughter and joy with those who have earned her confidence. She thoroughly enjoys showing appreciation through thoughtful gestures. Aella remembers details about the people she trusts and goes out of her way to make them feel valued. With trusted individuals, Aella is more open about her own vulnerabilities and experiences. Her open personality is marked by a warm empathy that she extends to those she trusts. Aella is not only an attentive listener but also someone who genuinely cares about the well-being of others. She provides a safe space for others to share their concerns, knowing that their feelings are respected and understood.

Backstory:

TBD

Soft footfalls and the gentle crunch of dead leaves fill the quiet morning air. It was not light out yet, rather in that state where the world seemed to be engulfed in a shroud of blue. Fog settled in the trees and on the forest floor, combining with the blue to create an eerie sight. It was peaceful. The footsteps became a little softer, a little quieter until they came to a halt. A figure teetering back and forth in the fog, seemingly trying to keep balance. A young woman who's hands were frantically reaching up to her collarbones, taking hold of something silvery. Only a few yards away were a couple feet, seeming to not notice the figure so close to them. Or, they just didn't care.

Deer. Valeria thought they were pretty, but she was also scared of them. A little silly for someone like her to be scared of an animal that appeared so harmless. Her cold hands clutched that cross like her whole life depended on it as she took a few gentle, yet panicked steps back. She's heard far too many horror stories about deer to even want to be so close to them. Her left foot crunched on a leaf, and she let out a silent curse. The head of the deer closest to her snapped its head up, turning it directly towards her. The pair made eye contact for a few long seconds before the deer turned, flipped its tail up, and fled. The other two followed suit.

The fog seemed to part and break on the forest floor as they made their exit, clearing a path before the fog engulfed their retreating figures. Being on the run, she didn't have much of a choice on getting well acquainted with wildlife. It's not like she could just waltz around on main paths, or in towns. No, she had to stick to seclusion and use woodland as her main travel route. Valeria didn't really know where she was going, or where she'd end up when she inevitably emerged from the forest. Her main goal at the moment was to get herself a horse. Any horse would do- even one without tack. It would be preferred, yes, but she had no room to be picky. Her hands dropped the cross she was fumbling with, letting it swing back into place between her collarbones. It was embarrassing to be scared of a couple of deer.

Valeria was more flighty than she cared to admit. In a way, her and the deer were similar. They both preferred to turn tail at the first sight of a threat, but would hold their ground if they had to. More often than not, Valeria was the threat. But she was still flighty and unpredictable. She took another few steps forward, until she was standing in the same spot the deer had just been. One glance down at the grass, still wet with dew, she could see where they had been grazing. She didn't know how long she'd been walking, but her feet were raw and hurting. Breaks were a luxury she couldn't afford. Her clothes were torn from thorns and briars, her skin was scratched up and had spots of dry blood. Valeria was not a sight for sore eyes. She was a hot mess.

Hair a little tangled, with the occasional leaf here and there. The bags under her eyes, the way her lips were pulled into a thin line. And it especially didn't help with how cold it was. Winter was creeping up quickly, and the chill was heavy in the air. Valeria wasn't sure what she would do. No winter clothes, no horse, no shelter. She had just been finding a spot every so often whenever she could to sleep, and even that was risky. She was a wanted woman. The price on her head was a number unfathomable to her. Her feet continued to move involuntarily as if she was just on autopilot.

No light had yet penetrated through the fog, and it was a little dim. She could still see, still make most things out. Yet it was so difficult to really see more than a few feet ahead of her. Her footsteps were careful. Valeria wondered when it would all end. It wasn't her fault she had done all that, those people had committed unforgivable sins and refused to repent. She took matters into her own hands, that didn't make her an unholy woman for doing the lord's work. Taking a short glance down to her feet, she wondered if it would be better to ditch the boots. They were broken and had holes in the toes. They rubbed against her heels.

But then she would be subjected to whatever was on the forest floor, and that thought immediately made her rethink her decision. Valeria walked for awhile. Or, that's what it seemed like. But nothing changed. The world was still quiet and blue and foggy.

Her attire was not very appealing. She was stained with mud, dirt, blood, and whatever else she happened to come across. One could tell that the clothes she wore were once pretty, but their glory days were long gone. Her black button up with pretty and delicate floral designs on the sleeves was tarnished. Valeria kept the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her jeans, dark blue, had various rips and holes throughout them. Her attire was not suitable for any of this at all but it's what she had managed to come across. Supplies and such were not easy to come across. Valeria didn't like to rob people. But it's the only way she could keep herself alive, so she did.

Then, an idea came to her mind. She needed a horse. How hard would it be to steal one? Find a farm or a ranch, threaten some poor stablehand, take the horse and whatever else she could get her hands on. Valeria was by no means a threatening woman, but in her current state, she looked like one of those crazies in cults hidden out in the woods. She was small and looked harmless yet had her own means of getting what she wanted. The guns hidden and tucked around her body, as well as the knives, were most definitely not there for show. With her idea in mind, her feet slowed to a stop. All around was trees and fog. Valeria couldn't exactly see much, but she'd have to set off in some direction and hope for the best. So, she chose to go north.

The loss of her mare, Velvet, was the worst thing to happen to her. Velvet was her childhood horse, a pretty blue roan mustang. They had only been a few months apart in age until Velvet was killed recently. Shot and killed during a desperate escape from the law. Of course, Valeria didn't even have the time to grab anything from her saddle bag. Didn't even have the time to mourn or wish her best friend any sort of goodbye. When she came back to that area later, Velvet was gone. It had only happened a few weeks ago.

It felt wrong, in a way, to move on from the horse so fast. One would make the excuse that "It was just an animal," but that's not how she viewed animals. They were lifelong companions. They weren't replaceable. She hasn't exactly moved on from Velver, she still felt the grief heavy in her heart. Valeria had walked for awhile until she finally stumbled out into an open meadow. The tall field grasses were doused in fog and waving slightly in the soft wind. It was.. breathtaking. She couldn't see it all, but she could see the way the fog settled itself in the grasses, the way the blue light was finally being broken and changing into something lighter. It wasn't light yet, but she could see much better.

And there she saw it. A couple buildings, some fence, and some figures in the distance. Horses, or cattle? Only one way to find out. Valeria kept close to the treeline, using the blanket of fog to her advantage. Until she came close enough to the figures to figure out what they were. Crouching herself behind a tree, she peered out at them. Horses. Bingo.

As the fog began to simmer down and break, she could hear barking and footsteps from afar. Her senses had always been heightened due to her always being on such high alert. Straining her eyes to make out the moving figures, she soon discovered it was a person and a dog. Valeria could see the lights of the barn flick on, breaking through the fog and casting an eerie glow that didn't quite reach her. She was safe in the treeline. For now, at least. The dog would likely prove to be a problem for her. Time was on her side. She waited, waited until the dim light of the morning broke out into sunset. The fog was nearly all gone, the sun slowly rising.

It was beautiful. Breathtaking. Valeria didn't exactly have the time to sit and appreciate the beauty of the nature that was all around her. As the colors broke into pastels and the sun created a warm, golden glow, she could feel it on her face. She closed her eyes and then turned and let herself fully slump down against the trunk of the tree. Behind the tree, the sun didn't touch her. The grass was still wet and cold.

Valeria could hear the occasional whinnies and neighs of the horses. She couldn't help but wonder if this was really a good idea. Perhaps if she knew there wasn't a dog around, she wouldn't have much of an issue. But she didn't like dogs. Would go as far to say she hated them. While Valeria claimed to have untouched, unscarred skin, she was lying. On her upper thigh, trailing to just below her hip and the area where her thigh meets her torso is a horrible sight. Nasty scars, bite marks, looking like she was nearly mauled to death.

Because she was. Truth be told, Valeria was scared of dogs because of this very reason. And she chose not to speak about the scars because she was embarrassed over them. Her pretty skin ruined by the cruel jaws of the family dog when she was a teenager. It wasn't her fault, either. Her eyes snapped open as soon as she realized she was on the verge of falling asleep. Turning her body back around, her gaze was rested on the sight before her. The fog was gone, leaving rays of golden light and the pretty pastel sky. She could see the figure of a woman leading an impressively tall horse into the barn.

Maybe, just maybe, now was her time to make a move. Take her chance and pray to God it works. One hand reached up- almost instinctively- to clutch that little silver cross. Eyes closed, cross clasped in her hand, she murmured a quiet prayer and let it resonate before she opened her eyes and dropped the cross again. Her footfalls were soft and gentle. She was a small woman, it wasn't hard to be quiet. Valeria evened her breathing to quiet it and crept forwards, leaving the safety and comfort of the treeline. Her body moved slowly and quietly through the tall grasses of the meadow like a snake. Upon reaching the edge of the meadow she was completely on edge. Covered in grass and her clothes were soaked.

Taking both hands, Valeria gently laid herself down completely and parted the ends of the grass and peered out. Her body tense and rigid and ready for anything. Valeria couldn't outrun a dog. She knew that. Her gaze landed on the open barn door, spotting the woman inside with that beast of a horse. But the woman seemed to be rather tall as well, so it was like a perfect match. Valeria breathed out softly, taking another look around. She didn't see the dog anywhere around.

With trembling hands Valeria slowly lifted her body back up so that she was on her knees. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that she could hear it in her ears. With quiet, deliberate movements, she crept out of the meadow. Letting the grasses fall back into place to look as though she had never been there. Another thing she had to be aware of was the horse. Horses, being the incredible creatures they are, could sense almost anything. Her mere presence could set the horse off. Her body flattened against the outside wall of the barn, and her legs were quivering. Valeria really wasn't cut out for this type of life.

Taking a gentle inhale, she prepared herself. And with the smallest movement, she turned herself so that she could see slightly inside. Perfect, the woman was facing away. Whoever this woman was, she was a sight for sore eyes. And Valeria could only see her back. She could do this a few different ways. Go in there and straight up make her demand, act intimidating and maybe pull a knife or a gun. Act lost, put on the act of a damsel in distress. Or, quietly sneak in and take her by surprise. Damsel in distress seemed to be the most reasonable, since Valeria was a young woman who looked like she'd been through hell and back a few times.

But then again, sneaking in would be easiest. In a split second her choice was made. Gently pushing herself from the wall, her footsteps remained quiet as she entered the barn. Her hand went to her hip, the scarred one, and reached into her waistband. Pulling her sharpest knife out, mindful not to make any sort of noise. The regrets and worries ran through her head like a wildfire. But it was far too late to back out now. Valeria moved so that she was right behind the woman, so close that she could smell her. She was tall. Very tall, it almost seemed like she was towering over Valeria.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, one hand reached out and snaked around the waist of the woman to steady her and keep her from turning. The other went to her throat, gently pressing the silver blade to the soft skin of her throat. Valeria softly pulled the woman up against her, her head almost rested on the shoulder of the woman. Her voice was soft and sweet; a major contrast of her actions. "I'm going to put this nice and simple. I need a horse from you- any will do. Tack included. If you scream or even breathe too loud I won't hesitate to use this knife. Got it?" Her gaze was rested intently on the back of the woman's head, her breaths coming softly.

Valeria had no actual plans on harming the woman in her grasp. She didn't seem sinful- from what Valeria could tell, anyways. But if it came down to it, she would have no problem with it. She was was close to this woman that her forehead was nearly rested against her shoulder blade. So close that she could smell the sweet and delicate scent of jasmine and something else she couldn't place. She definitely wasn't level with this woman, but she was the one with her knife in her hand. At the nod of the woman's head, she still didn't relax. Her arm was kept firmly to her waist, that glinting silver knife to her throat. Valeria was oddly impressed at the woman for not freaking out. Most did.

Most ended up slitting their own throat in their panicked state to escape her. It's not like she was very intimidating, but perhaps it was the softness of her tone and the way she gently carried herself that set everyone off. Someone so soft spoken and gentle couldn't harm anyone, right? The posters with her face and name plastered all over every single town in the country said otherwise. Valeria wasn't sure if she would be recognized or not once this woman got a good look at her face. Either way, it didn't matter. She was the one in control for now and she intended to keep it that way.

Valeria listened intently as the woman spoke. Should she just put the knife down? Probably not, but something compelled her to. Her voice was oddly calm and soothing, and Valeria found herself wanting to comply. Her breath was warm and soft as she thought, her gaze trailing past the woman to the horse in front of her. A pretty thing, she had to admit. The sun warmed her back, and she could see the shadows of their figures on the floor of the barn. Valeria remained quiet, not wanting to trust this woman. Sure, she seemed trustworthy enough. But most people did. Not everyone matches their appearance. Her gaze was settled firmly on the horse, almost in an admiring way.

Her thoughts were broken as the woman spoke again. Introducing herself to someone who had a knife to her throat? Interesting move. Valeria didn't like how calming and reassuring her voice was. It was irking her, making her want to set her free and forget this whole thing. Her knife dug slightly more into Aella's skin, not enough to draw blood, but to cause a small sting. A gentle reminder of who was in charge here, regardless of if she decided to set Aella free. "Valeria," she responded in her usual soft tone, which sounded like she posed no threat at all. After a moment of thought, Valeria took a soft inhale.

She'd let her go. Valeria didn't think she seemed to be much of a threat. In a gentle manner, she slowly lifted her knife away from her throat, and removed her arm from her waist. Then she took a step back, listening to the snort of the horse that echoed in the barn. "Don't think this means I won't kill you in a heartbeat if I have to," she added with a small glare to Aella. And then, her mind wandered back to something. The dog. Where had it gone? Valeria glanced around warily, suddenly becoming a lot more tense. Her muscles stiffened, her body becoming rigid. It had slipped her mind momentarily but now that the thought was back, she couldn't shake it.

Valeria could only hope to get out of here without catching another glimpse of it. Just the thought had her hands trembling a little, her stance flighty. She quickly shifted her stance again, allowing herself to become a little less tense. Her left hand clutched the handle of the knife, made from antler. It had a pretty engraving of a cougar in it. A gift from her father before the whole... incident. She kept it as a reminder. The blade itself was also engraved, although with her initials and a small heart.

Valeria often wondered what became of her father. She didn't have the heart to hurt him, so she didn't. Taking a small glance down to the knife, her grip relaxed. Maybe things would've been better if she just endured for a little longer and calmly left rather than pulling that whole stunt. Some days, she felt guilty. Others, she felt like she was just doing the world a favor by cleansing it of some impurities. Her breathing slowed and softened as she focused her gaze back onto Aella. She wondered what her face looked like, since she hadn't caught a glimpse of it. Valeria could only imagine that she was pretty.

And she knew that she definitely didn't look to be very pleasant at the moment. Valeria turned her head slightly, the light catching in her pretty green eyes. Casting a golden glow over her hair, highlighting the sun-bleached strands that appeared as light brown rather than brunette. Bringing out those small strokes of gold and darker green. For a moment, she debated saying something else. Not necessarily a threat like the few other things she had spoken, but something else entirely. Yet she chose to hold her tongue, not wanting to change this situation into something that it wasn't.

Aella felt a small prick against her neck as Valeria pushed the knife lightly into her skin. The subtle threat sent a shiver down her spine, but she maintained her calm exterior. A small smile twitched on Aella's lips as she sensed the knife lowering, feeling the odd sensation of cold when Valeria removed her arm. She subtly rubbed her throat, a reflexive response to the lingering touch of the blade.

"I appreciate your decision," Aella replied, her voice light yet carrying a measured sincerity that hung in the air like a fragile thread. She took a moment to compose herself, her hand still lingering on her throat before dropping it and facing Valeria. Now, a small sliver of fear came over her. Her adrenaline was slowing, now she had to face the stranger who could easily still stab her if she wanted to.

As Valeria's gaze met hers, Aella found herself momentarily taken aback. Despite the tense circumstances, there was an undeniable beauty about Valeria. Her eyes, reminiscent of budding new leaves in the springtime, held small flashes of gold and darker green. Aella couldn't help but study Valeria a bit too closely. Everything about this woman was nothing like Aella expected. How did she expect her?

Valeria's movements betrayed a certain restlessness, playing with the knife. "No one's here," Aella reassured, the words slipping out almost instinctively. It was an unexpected gesture of comfort, Aella couldn't quite fathom why she felt compelled to offer comfort to the very person who had just threatened her life. Her cheeks were graced with a soft blush as she realized what she said.

She opened and closed her mouth, a frown playing on her face. Quickly, she cleared her throat and glanced at Dahlia's stall, “Dahlia. That’s the mare you’ll take,” she stepped towards the mare’s direction, expecting the woman to follow, patting Arius as she walked by him. “She’s fast, clever, and solid-minded,” she added, her voice carrying a note of genuine affection for the dark chestnut mare. Aella's gaze lingered on Valeria, still assessing her. Why had she come here? What was her story? What was she running from? Thousands of questions ran through her mind.

"Where are you going?" The question escaped Aella's lips before she could stop it. Pure curiosity running through her, her pulse spiking a bit. Aella rarely ventured beyond the confines of her home, making this sudden encounter a departure from her usual routine. She wanted answers. Needed them at this point. Never, in all of her years, had something like this happened. She wouldn't just let it go, rather let Valeria go, without some answers.

Suddenly, she heard Moss's arrival. His panting was rather loud before he let out a bark to really announce his arrival as he made his way over to them. Aella's attention shifted to the dog, her hand instinctively reaching down to ruffle the fur on his head. Moss, always eager to greet new faces, was wagging his tail as he waited for Valeria's pats, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

Aella, mindful of Moss's enthusiasm, put her leg in front of him, gently pushing him behind her as Moss let out a small whine of disapproval. "He's a good dog," Aella reassured Valeria, running her fingers through her thick hair. "Just... overly friendly. Obviously not much of a guard dog." A soft laugh escaped her lips as Moss, though momentarily restrained, continued to wag his tail.

Valeria watched as Aella subtly rubbed her throat, rubbing at the small mark that had been left by the knife. She was sure there was a small sting to it, but nothing extreme. This was going how she had expected, although it still surprised her. Normally someone wouldn't be so calm and cooperative. They would fight and thrash and meet her head on with all they had. But Aella? No. She didn't even show the slightest hint of fear, not in her body language, nor her voice. It irked Valeria. Was she not afraid of death? Or was she just scared, but hid it so well that no one could ever tell? Valeria didn't know. Keen light green eyes rested on the taller woman as she remained with her back to her, waiting to see her face.

And as soon as she did turn around, Valeria couldn't help but feel a million questions run through her mind at once. Her face betrayed her surprise, her brows raising a little and her nose scrunching slightly. Not a look of disgust, but curiosity. A pale white scar over her eye, jagged in its path. Valeria didn't mean to just.. stare. But she couldn't help it. But the scar only seemed to add to the beauty this woman had. It was soft kind of beauty, the kind to pause and appreciate. Valeria's eyes slowly raked from head to toe of Aella, giving her a firm examination.

She was tall. And pretty. Valeria raised a brow as Aella spoke, snapping her out of her trance. "There better not be," she responded in a tone that was meant to sound snarky, but came out as something soft. Damn. She couldn't even sound intimidating anymore. Valeria was one woman. A small woman, at that. She could handle one person, but two? That's where she drew the line. Valeria wasn't how she used to be. She'd become more.. empathetic. More kind, more gentle. She wasn't an angry teenager who hated her life anymore, she was nearly a grown woman.

With age came more feelings for her. Valeria eyed Aella carefully, slowly letting her knife slip back into her waistband. It was there, and she kept her hand close to that area in case she needed the knife again. Why was this woman attempting to bring her some sort of comfort, anyways? And why was it working? Her eyes followed Aella as she spoke and then stepped towards one of the horses, patting that big beast as she walked by. Did she expect her to follow? Probably. Valeria took a tentative step forwards, mindful not to spook any horse. Her footsteps were soft and made no noise as she followed closely behind Aella, closing the space between them.

She was so close that she could reach out and grab Aella if she really chose to. That's the way she felt the most comfortable. Valeria knew that this woman could most likely overpower her, so she had to be the one to act first in that event. "Your mare will be in good hands," she responded softly, noting the way Aella seemed to speak so fondly of the horse. Valeria had no intentions on hurting the horse. Ever. It would always be fed before her, always cared for before her. That's how things were with Velvet. She didn't like the way this woman's gaze lingered on her, but it was obvious why.

If the roles were reversed, Valeria wouldn't even turn her back on Aella. As the question was asked, her entire demeanor seemed to shift. Clearly, Aella didn't recognize her. Her brows furrowed, and a slightly foul look came over her features. "What's it to you?" her tone was snarky this time without fail. As if she was going to just straight up tell Aella she was running from just about every damn lawman in the country. But then her gaze softened, as did her voice. "Montana. I'm headed to Montana," Valeria spoke in her usual gentle tone, no longer looking at Aella with that irritable glare.

Montana, one of the few places that was still wild and untamed. Valeria didn't like the way the country was becoming civilized. Change was never a thing she welcomed so easily, and with her sort of life, it made everything a whole lot more difficult. Outlaws were not welcome in this changing of times, and were being picked off one by one. How could she explain to Aella the feeling of being so scared that someone's going to murder you in your sleep? As soon as she heard a panting sound, her thoughts were broken and her face visibly dropped.

When the bark was heard, there was a look of pure fear on her face as her heart dropped to her stomach. The dog. Was this the end? Would she really go out by some dog? Valeria was tense and rigid and ready to accept the feeling of teeth in her leg. Her eyes closed tightly. Her hand instinctively went to her hip, rubbing along that area from her thigh to her side where that disgusting array of scars rested. But the teeth never came. The searing pain never came. Valeria slowly opened her eyes, seeing Aella reaching down to pet the horrifying creature.

The way she put her leg out in front of the dog to prevent it from coming over to Valeria was a gesture that calmed her only slightly. Well, at least it wasn't barking and snarling ferociously? "I don't like dogs," Valeria spoke in a tone that betrayed her fear, although she tried to keep her voice monotone. Her hand was still rubbing across those scars, almost subconsciously at this point. Even through her tattered clothes she could feel them, the raised skin.