"I really really appreciate the vote of confidence... sometimes it really doesn't feel that way, every bit of support helps."

"You'll get there one day! Just keep at it, sister!"

"It's not good money, but I love doing it! So I shall soldier onwards!"

"Oh yeah, I super get what you mean. My schedule got tightened up super quick once I landed a decent job too."

"Yeah, stuff has been pretty hectic for a bit now, especially with me having like. A job that I actually like and stuff..."

"It sure is! And hey, long time to see!"

"Getting fucked til you pass out is basically always a solid plan, as far as I can tell."

"I'm really glad! Still, the ronin thing is a little stressful so I've been trying to find a lady to settle down with, but it's awfully hard finding a noble lady who isn't already with someone else."

"Well, er, nice to meet you, Tomoe. Fighting for the things and people you love is very admirable in its own right- I can feel your passion in full."

"Good, good! Now, allow me to introduce myself."

"I AM TOMOE, BEAUTIFUL WANDERER OF MANY WORLDS, AND A RONIN WHO SWINGS HER SWORD FOR LOVE!"

"Oh, uh, whoops, I don't usually say that first thing..."

"E-Er, well, I'm quite good at my duties. I'm highly skilled and committed to my cause. And I have a lot of friends."

"Probably, hm? Well, that won't do. Honestly, a girl sharing my name really aught to be more confident. Come on now, say something good about yourself. Proclaim your good sides to the world."

"I suppose, but I've been to a lot of them and this is a first."

"I hope you're prepared to accept your place as the second most beautiful woman named Tomoe in the world."

"I suppose, but I've been to a lot of them and this is a first."

"I hope you're prepared to accept your place as the second most beautiful woman named Tomoe in the world."

"Well, it is a big world out there... Funny coincidence, I suppose?"

"T... Tomoe...? But that's my name..."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you had no ability. I've just been around for a long while." She nods, crossing her arms. "If you just want something that'll keep you from dying but is very light, a chain shirt should do you well enough. That's what I opted for first I came here before I started practicing martial arts." She gestures towards the blacksmith with her head. "Let's walk and talk."

"I wasn't exactly facing off in one on one bouts, 'avoiding hits' starts being a waste of energy once you get past a certain number." Mal responds with a shrug. "I'm plenty confident in my abilities as is, was just making conversation is all. That said, I wouldn't say no to something more flexible if it can soak up the worst of it."

"If you're getting hit this much with the armor on, it might be best for you not to leave it behind quite yet. Getting to the point where you simply won't be hit takes a lot of dedicated effort." She pauses, considering her options. "Of course, you could invest in something lighter, it'd probably be cheaper than getting this repaired, even if you don't have the time to put into training, should at least make you a little lighter on your feet."

She takes it and shakes firmly. "Malika. Nice to meetcha."

At the mention of her armor, she nods. "Good idea. Though at this right I might be better served just getting somethin' new."

"Or maybe I'll be like you. Looks like a lack of armor has left you none the worse for wear."

"Why, if you're not born an Abyssal Hunter, you'll never be one. But I can make you something just as good. Maybe even better!"

"And if there's something that you wanted to ask me, you should just come out and do it instead of mulling over it all the time. I prefer people being straightforward with me." Which is, admittedly, what drew her to Specter and Skadi... she'd never met anyone more blunt. She's crossing her arms and waiting.

"Right, i should be more careful when i am distracted and talking to myself. I'd hate to get snuck up on again....." Despite her large size compared to Irene, Freyja was a bit nervous about, well, a lot. least of all getting in on the 'deal' that the other hunters had with the inquisitor. Though she wasn't exactly sure how to bring it up.

Sneaks up on people often unintentionally. On account of being fucking teensy.

"Try to pay attention to what's going on around you next time, would you?" She's used to this sort of talk... at least around the Abyssal Hunters. Thankfully, no one outside of the group knew about their... arrangement. "That's... unnecessary. But feel free, I suppose. It makes no difference to me."

"HOLY FUCK!" The abyssal hunter couldn't help but shout at the sudden appearance of the 'little bird' in question. She had after all just been musing out loud about something super lewd after all. Though after a few moments of deep breathing she seemed to calm down just a little. Or at least her nerves did anyway, not so much her visible hard on. "R-right, yeah, sorry. I didn't forget your name i was just.....you know....calling you something cute, cause you are pretty cute."

"My name is Irene, Freyja." Truly, there is no hard and fast 'abyssal relief program'... Irene just started out by fucking Specter. And then Skadi. And... then the rest. She had just gotten used to it- and she enjoyed the Abyssal Hunters, both on the battlefield, and in bed.

"Hey if i asked that little bird to fuck, do you think she would say yes? I mean she's already on the abyssal relief program thing. But i am not sure if she's just fucking Specter and Skadi." Said with a raging hard on that is just to hard to hide. Pent up Abyssal hunter.

Acheron muse, huh? I like that idea.

And so do they.