[ Well. He answers the question she hadn't wanted to ask. Family troubles are simply a matter of life, and she won't pry any further on that point, suspecting it might be a tender spot. ]

Yes, I've experienced that firsthand. [ She heaves out a sigh with her response, shaking her head as she remembers the many different encounters she and the others had endured. The vampirespawn in the coffin-maker's shop makes the top of the list, to say nothing of those hags.

They've yet to take on a vampire at full strength, but it's only a matter of time. They had been on the way, until all this. ]

I'm glad it's not a common thing for you, at least. [ The situation in Barovia might be a special case, she's realizing. Strahd and his own little fiefdom.

There's a pause, and then she glances over once more. ] A shifter can partially transform into something more bestial. There are different types, but in my case, the beast is a wolf. It's usually in short bursts, generally in the middle of battle.

[ Or if she's under a lot of pressure and stress and she loses control, but that's a rare thing. ]