She didn't like the way this was going; not one bit. She knew she had to look positively dreadful, what with how tired she was and the previous day... (how could so much change in so little time) and she knew she was vulnerable--but she had Theo's gem--if not he himself--and the enchanted dagger was sheathed at her hip. She'd only come into the desecrated excuse for a shelter because it was the first dry and mostly intact place she'd seen in hours: maybe she was panicking and scared--but she didn't know if she could and didn't want to handle another person right now. (even if she was the first living being she'd seen since the fire.)
The woman was relentless--she wouldn't quit her pestering, the constant stream of questions... Some issues were meant to be let alone.
She curled her arms around her body (her fat arms with the sagging skin did little to hide the round plumpness of her abdomen no matter how she tried) and looked away from the accusing gaze aimed towards her.
"Will you stop?" she murmured. "Please, stop." There was a faint something in the back of her mind, a breathy whisper she couldn't quite make out. A hand clutched at the gentle warmth radiating from the amethyst by her shoulder: "You're hurting me."
The woman drew back. "Madelyn's your name, right? Look, Madelyn! Will you look at me? Look at me! You can't do this! Everything--everyone is gone! You tell me you intend to--avenge them!"
"By the heavens, *Belle,*" she said the name with distaste; lowering her head she crossed her arms over her chest. "I swear I fully intend to." Mentally she continued, 'even if I have no idea how...' Glancing up at the woman, she said, "I have the strength...."
"Willosticks--you're in rags! Do you even know how to use that dagger of yours? Do you know any moves for defense--for offense? I'll warrant not; look at those arms! You're skinny as a twig and no muscles to boot!" Belle made to grab for the younger girl's arm, but she recoiled with a look of sudden betrayal. "...You're lost, Madelyn... and we were both there for that fire.
"I can help you."
Madi stared at her in pain, fighting the desire to run away, to let loose the tears. Why did everybody say that? Why did everybody mock her so blatantly on her size? She couldn't even pass it off as having big bones--she'd been positively tiny as a child. She was still rather short for her age. (And that made her heavy bearing all the more painful.)
Slowly she stooped to pick up her fallen walking stick, her eyes scrunched shut. She had to get out of here--even if that meant submitting herself to the pouring rain.
"..Madi."
Icily now she turned on the woman. "What do you want with me!" Fighting back her tears, she screeched, "You're no different from anyone else--you only care about what's in it for you! I can't--"
Simultaneously as there was a burning in her left shoulder, and warmth encasing her, her words faltered. Later she couldn't be sure if it was Theo's amethyst or the hug that stopped her. All she knew was that this woman--Belle--had a very nice shoulder to cry on.
And though she couldn't discard her loathing for the woman's insistence--she had to be grateful. It was only the two of them now.