[ Immediately, she draws back. The answer has never been simple, but even the one she gave Ethan Chandler so long ago no longer seems applicable, especially not in the face of a witch who nurtures magic born of chaos. ]

I...

[ They've only just met, and Vanessa knows it would be foolish to be too open, but there's also a connection that she can't deny, something felt so deep that she would know if malice touched it.

What can she do? The question reaches the monster inside, and it coils and pulses in her gut with the desire to answer; so much her jaw tightens and her gaze glosses while she appraises Wanda. It whispers and reaches and pulls. I've supped on Lucifer's heart and been found wanting. The blood of Amun-Ra has run dry on my tongue. I can taste your darkness, creature. Won't you let me drink deep? ]

...I am still learning my limitations. [ A pause, then with a softer grate to an already ragged voice, breaking her gaze to look down to her coffee. She stops and starts as her thoughts drift to shadowy memories. ] I have yet to discover where they end. There are times when I am...not altogether myself. Or, rather...there are parts of me in conflict, and I am not entirely sure what I'm capable of.