<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Ava realized she hadn’t quite apologized for her involvement in the Hunter’s mission, that she was the root cause of the situation going sideways. To say that she was sorry would have been a lie, but admitting fault was just as good though it pained her to do so. Especially when he looked so smug. As he lowered himself back down triumphantly, sitting on the rotting wooden steps as though it were a throne of gold, she rolled her eyes. She folded her arms across her chest, begrudgingly returning to the warmth of the flickering fire light. Normally she wasn’t so unreasonable. She worked well with others in her circle, often enjoying the camaraderie that accompanied the perks of being a part of a private and prestigious group. They were joined by their service to mankind, and in that there was a mutual understanding of what was at stake. The importance of their mission overall made it so that a certain kind of personality and mindset was appreciated, and it was exactly why the Hunter put her on edge. He wasn’t the kind of person she was used to interacting with, let alone working alongside. That fact was further reinforced by his candid words, that he had no intention of coming out on the other side of his mission alive. <br/>
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His confession caught her off guard, her brows raising as he admitted that he planned on dying after it was all said and done. It was a sobering moment, one that put in perspective exactly what she had denied him. Not only that, but she assumed that whatever the Coven leader had done to him must have been deeply personal-- so much that he didn’t have the will to live afterward. It made apologizing that much more appealing. Ava believed that people had the right to go out on their own terms, and she had inadvertently ensured that whatever suffering he endured would be prolonged. She cleared her throat softly, looking to the dancing flames for a distraction from the emotion. Stamping it down so that she could focus on the present, namely how they would move forward in order to satisfy both their missions. <br/>
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He began to press her for information, to learn more about her own situation. The tables had successfully turned, and she found herself under the lens of his microscope. It wasn’t pleasant. Like an ant under the harsh, concentrated rays of the sun she was uncomfortable. As much as she felt like the details were none of his business, she was willing to indulge him if it meant he would help and agree to work with her. It didn’t help his case that he was so right that it was irritating, his relaxed demeanor and knowing smirk an annoying combination. <br/>
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“Yes, family. Scarlett. She’s my sister-- well, adopted sister.” It was a clarification she had to make for most of her life. In appearance they differed, and in personality they differed further. It was clear that they weren’t cut from the same cloth in many ways. “Her family took me in when I was young. She’s . . . spirited. She runs off all the time, but she’s been gone for a long time-- not as long as she’s ever been gone. Our parents don’t suspect that she’s in any trouble, but I have a feeling that she’s in danger or something has happened. Since they disagree, I haven’t officially been granted permission to investigate as you so irritatingly pointed out. That means I have no resources and no help, hence . . . “ she gestured a gloved hand to the Hunter sitting proudly on the stairs. <br/>
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"And, you? What's got you so consumed with revenge that you would throw your life away just to get back at one bloodsucker?" She said, turning the question back on him. It wasn't simply a means of throwing his own tactics back in his face, but it was also to understand just how desperate he was for vengeance. Would he be reckless? Would he let his emotions cloud his judgement? Would he risk her life to take another? The Hunter could have been just as dangerous to her as any supernatural could under the right circumstances. To best protect herself, she had to know who she was dealing with. Friend and foe.</span>