[ Maybe my story is just doomed from beginning to end, Ava thinks darkly, but she soon shakes that thought away. Listen to the bard, Ava.

He's right - she is writing her own story. It may be a messy one and she may be making mistakes along the way, but whatever she decides to do with the Halo will be the path she's chosen, not anyone else. And that's the most important thing for her - that she has a choice - unlike at the beginning of her story. ]

An extremely talented bard, you say? [ She manages to smile at the way Jaskier bigs himself up. Maybe she ought to be more like him when it comes to speaking about herself. Maybe one day she will, simply by spending time with him. She needs more positive influences in her life. ] Yet to be determined.

[ Though she's not going to ask for a song from him today. It doesn't feel like the right time. Part of her thinks she ought to tell him her story first to earn the right to hear him, to share a little with him and have him share a little with her in return. ]

Since money is kinda useless here, I'd have to think of another way to pay you.

[ For now? She can offer friendship. In the future? Something flirtier. ]