[Despite the agitated pacing Vanessa is listening, is watching him and processing the story that he is telling her. She relates and reacts very deeply at the fate of his mother and for a moment she turns away from him and the smoldering fireplace. Letting her mind fill with the horrific sights and sounds of Joan's death at the hands of the small-minded savages of the moor.

Vanessa's turn back toward Mr. Tepes is slow, limbs slow and numb with residual pain, loss in the face of this uncertainty. His words are plain, personal, but in this world of dark threat it could simply be a ruse. For what reason she hasn't a clue but the last few months have been nothing but chaos and reactive flailing from her and her allies. It makes her wary and suspicious and that shows plainly on her drawn face as she moves back toward him and the seat across from his own.]

I am sorry to hear about your mother. I too lost someone close to my heart because of the ignorance of men of power. Such women possess powers to change the soul of a person. To fill them with such beliefs and strengths. I can see how she could make such an impression on your views of humanity but I must verify.

[Vanessa will not apologize for this need. Even as she walks the fine line of being sympathetic of his loss, his need for guarded personal information. She uncurls fingers and offers a steady hand to him.]

Allow me to read you. To see this part of which you speak.