<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/3/3c/TattooedAxeWarrior.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>  Amelie van Alt (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=347305.msg16354709#msg16354709)<br/><strong> Location:</strong> Expedition Camp - Mess Tent<br/><strong>Warnings:</strong> None!<br/><strong>Open/Closed:</strong> Open<br/><strong>Direct Interaction Tags:</strong> Kashi, Kael<br/><strong>Mentioned Tags:</strong>  Astra<br/><strong>Actions Taken:</strong>  Intrigued conversation<br/><hr/><br/>Having shaken Kashi's hand - firmly, but with no attempt to deliver any sort of bone-crushing grip - Amelie listened attentively, looking a little guilty.<br/><br/>"Mmm?  Didn't I?  I apologise.  Evasion was not intentional, I assure you.  I, ahh, hrmmm.  Would it sound too terribly pretentious if I said it were a matter of honour?"<br/><br/>The Berserker shrugged, offering Kashi a slightly sheepish smile - perhaps trying not to get distracted by mention of Kashi's outfit <em>coming off</em> - that she then turned to include the new arrivals at their table.<br/><br/>"I was raised to believe that, given my gifts and training, my proper place was likely to be '<em>between less-durable people and danger that threatens them</em>'.  There are a near-infinite range of possibilities for that... but assisting with this expedition seems as if it might be rather unusually <em>worthwhile</em>.  And, I confess, the prospect of excitement combined with novel sights and experiences does rather strongly appeal.  Though... I would hope that we do not have too much further need for peace-makers within camp."<br/><br/>She shrugged amiably - wincing a little again, before probing once more at her right shoulder with the fingers of her off-hand.<br/><br/>"I think that we might have more than enough in the way of perils to face, without winding up at each other's throats before we even venture anywhere particularly dangerous.  I know that some think that one of the arts of leadership when dealing with a grand ensemble like this entails 'thinning the herd', to reduce an amorphous mass of disparate elements until the remainder includes only those both capable and committed... but I would hope that the Caste do not take such a divisive approach...."<br/><br/>"And for my own part...."  She shrugged again, a little more carefully this time, and offered all three of her companions a wry smile.  "From the little I saw, it did not look as if either of you could honestly be held to have <em>caused</em> any trouble, so there is nothing to apologise for where I am concerned.  If you were deemed suitable for this expedition by people with more knowledge of you and of what might face us, then I am inclined to think that you have good reason to be here.  Perhaps that makes me foolishly naive and excessively trusting, but if we do not put a significant degree of faith in the Caste leadership, then what reason <em>do</em> we have for being here?"<br/><br/>"But, ahh, I apologise.  I have spoken at some length without providing the most obvious portion of a response to your introductions: I am Amelie.  Or, if I am to provide a full introduction in reply to your own... Dame Amelie van Alt, Knight of the Illustrious House Berserker of the most noble Kingdom of Cabista.  But that is arguably just a long-winded way of saying 'woman trained to run towards danger'."<br/><br/>She winked cheerfully, shrugging again.<br/></div>