Stone Cold

[Claude Saint-Clair]

Ilesha didn’t press on his sister. It was something he was glad for. It wasn’t shame - it was just not his place to tell, and as an Atharim, keeping secrets was sort of a habit. It was only plain curiosity that encouraged him to reveal his ability to Ilesha. That and perhaps a desire for being around others that had this gift - a sort of safety in numbers type of deal.

”Yes, I hunt monsters,” he said after finishing a bit of stew. ”I started training at thirteen. At first mostly book learning, but beginning weapons, combat, and tactical training as well. It is certainly a unique life.” he smiled. ”And an interesting one. Can be frightening at times, but I don’t know. There’s an excitement to it too. I don’t have regrets.” Mostly because he had never actually taken out or even gone against a person.

He took a sip of his wine. ”and what about you? What’s your story? Assuming from the accent that you’re from the States. What brings an American mechanical engineer to the heart of the CCD?”