This boy has certainly been through it and has internalized a lot of things, some of them familiar. Many of the people who come to the enclave, for however long they stay, have become convinced that they are terrible people, having been told so again and again. Lashan doesn't react to that. She doesn't really know how to solve that kind of conviction, only some things that very much don't help and one is letting on that she doesn't feel comfortable around people unless she knows some of what they're thinking.

"Little one," is all she says out loud, because the boy doesn't need to hear this. :I wouldn't cast you aside so lightly. You can disappoint me, you can have flaws in your judgement, but I know your heart is good. You wouldn't deliberately do anything so terrible that I would come to hate you for it.: "Let's hammer it out already."

Vena sniffs wetly and pinches the bridge of her nose to keep from crying. "I did it. I took the sword - Master, it's not like that, I had him swear first!"

"You are so eager to please," Lashan says, managing to restrain her sarcasm. She doesn't want the girl melting down. "Vena, that doesn't mean anything to outsiders. Let me guess, blind him and break his hand? That's not even binding."