[ They can't help it— the instinctual bolt of fear that runs through them when they abruptly stand and turn to see this imposing woman. She holds all the grace and confidence of all the mighty witches in their life, and she talks like one, too, cleverness and power exuding from her every attribute. Mercifully, the worst of it passes quickly, once they realize how pathetic they're being, and the sudden widening of their eyes and brief, sharp intake of a gasp could perhaps be written off as simple shock at being addressed so suddenly. They hope she writes it off as that. ]
...What do you mean by "won't last for long...?"
[ They question, after a moment to collect themself. Are... are people going to come looking for them, if they stay out of this whole mess? It sounds horrible. That there's no way to tell the truth yet takes a momentary backseat to the more pressing issue that there's no way to fully escape the predicament they've all been thrust into — they want to know, first and foremost, if their hand will be forced in this conflict. ]
no subject
...What do you mean by "won't last for long...?"
[ They question, after a moment to collect themself. Are... are people going to come looking for them, if they stay out of this whole mess? It sounds horrible. That there's no way to tell the truth yet takes a momentary backseat to the more pressing issue that there's no way to fully escape the predicament they've all been thrust into — they want to know, first and foremost, if their hand will be forced in this conflict. ]