"Karl won't be training me then?" Diabolique asked as she sat up in the bed and a bowl of broth was positioned on her lap.
"No, we will," Tolan answered as he sat next to the bed.
"How?" she asked wearily as she slowly began to spoon up the soup.
"The people of Haven are talented... some are healers, some are farmers, we have teachers, scholars and such, but some have more intricate talents." Tolan winced as he explained. Telling a mere child that some of haven's occupants had shady pasts wasn't easy.
"How so?" Diabolique asked as the spoon was stopped mid drift. Tolan watched as two droplets fell into the bowl, rippling softly as he answered.
"They are hunters, fighters, diplomats, linguists and such, though their pasts demanded it or the way they were raised," he answered softly.
Diabolique sighed, thinking for a moment before slowly nodding.
"They won't teach like that guard did, right?" she asked softly as she settled the spoon down then looking up to Tolan with innocent eyes.
He found himself reaching to grasp her hands as he looked back at her.
"As long as I breathe I shall do what is in my power to keep you safe. No one here will harm you if I can help it."
Diabolique nodded silently as she looked at their grasped hands, her much smaller ones being gently held by Tolan's much larger ones. As though she was seeing into the future, she knew this would not be the last time they would sit like this.
Diabolique sat gaping at the huge male who towered almost eight foot tall. He had scale-like skin similar to a reptile's, though his cranium was duel-lobed and he had raised scales around his eyes and cheeks. She took in his facial features: he had no lips - not like a human's anyway - nor did he have an ounce of hair upon his head, so she doubted he had any anywhere.
"This is her?"
Blinking out of her thoughts, her eyes once again met the black pupils of the large male.
"Aye it is, Latro," Tolan nodded as even he looked up at the male named Latro.
"I am Latro. I am Hirogen. We are hunters but also fighters, I shall teach you myself to defend yourself as well as take control of the prey." His voice was deep and rough, though somehow warm and safe. Or at least, that was what Latro made Diabolique feel. "When you are healed we will train. I shall... attempt… to make sure you are never wounded in such a way ever again."
Latro spoke with such promise Diabolique couldn't help but take his words to heart. She wasn't sure why he was helping her, but she was thankful. Yet, she was scared, for if a guard could do such damage to her, just what could this Hirogen do?
Diabolique stood, ramrod straight as she stared up at the huge male Hirogen, Latro.
"Relax, tension will only cause harm and pain."
Diabolique nodded, yet she did not relax, causing the hunter to sigh. It seemed he had his work cut out for him.
"Let us start from the beginning, we will forget your previous lessons and start anew."
Latro spoke warmly as he handed over the small quarter-staff to the child. Well at least Karl got the weapon of choice right if not the trainer, Latro commented silently.
"His name is Quo."
"Quo?" Diabolique panted as the Hirogen easily lifted the child to her feet. The last few days had passed with Diabolique learning the basics of the Hirogen defending skills, and a few others thrown in for good measure.
"Yes. He is a Ferengi. They live for money, and they know how to persuade others to give them some. In a way, I guess they are very selfish diplomats," Latro explained as he poured two beakers of water.
Diabolique frowned as she sat as slowly as her aching body would allow.
"Why would I learn from this Quo?" she asked as she stared up at the tall man.
"Well he will teach you the fine art of getting what you want against all the odds, for I am told that the Ferengi always get what they desire one way or another. So I would hazard a guess that it would be invaluable for you to learn the art of persuasion from him," Latro said as he placed the two quarter-staffs against the wall. It was laughable just how small Diabolique's was, though the hunter constantly reminded himself that this small child would grow and, with his guidance, would become the best she could be. As for what Quo could teach her, well, that would remain to be seen. Yet Tolan had asked him to explain why, so he had, but to no one else but Tolan!
Quo was a male of short stature with huge ears that strangely looked too big for his head, though that too was big and bald as well.
"So this is the little one?" Quo's voice was almost squeaky yet his teeth were razor sharp like some kind of vampire.
"Yes," came the Hirogen's short reply before turning to young Diabolique. "I shall inform Tolan of your whereabouts. No doubt he will collect you for the nightly meal." Diabolique found herself nodding before the man walked away, leaving the short Ferengi and herself in the vast library of Haven.
"Well that's the most I've ever heard him say," Quo muttered before lumbering over towards a book-covered table. "Come on, first we'll see what your lying skills are like..."
Lying? Diabolique raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Quo grinned before glancing over his shoulder at the awe-stricken child. "What? Don't you think diplomats lie? Ha! Well you've got a lot to learn! Luckily I'm the best at teaching the noble art of twisting the truth around here." He grinned from ear to ear, which was unsettling in a lot of ways, and yet somehow … just somehow, she was looking forward to learning how to get her own way.
