Naveen

Maleen:

“Because people are untrustworthy, and sick. There is no telling what they would want to do with a creature like you. it’s best to keep you a secret. Look at what they want to do with me. They want to use me as a weapon, to destroy, and I’m only a witch.” I told her quietly.

Wren:

I looked down, "But...I don't want you to do that...I want you to be smiling and happy..." I said quietly, before I nodded my head. "If you think I should do something different I will. I trust you."

Maleen:

I sighed softly. “I don’t want to cover up your wings. I wish you could just be yourself. But I want to protect you, and I think covering them up will help keep you safe.” I whispered. Spotting Rina, I steered Wren in her direction. “We need boy clothes.” I said softly but bluntly. The look of surprise stayed on her face until I elaborated. Stepping closer so she could hear me I whispered, “Wren’s wings are beginning to show. We should dress her in more confining, bulkier clothing, so others won’t know.”

I shifted awkwardly, trying to process what Maleen had said. I was very touched, but at the same felt confused about all of it. Did I really need to be protected so much? I wasn't that special.

Rina:

I sighed. We weren’t near any village, nor would we be, not one where we could find her a whole new set of clothes. “I’ll see what I can do.” I told them.

Wren:

I hung my head not wanting them to go through extra work like that. "Would it be easier if we just cut them off?" I asked softly.

Rina:

I was taken aback and Maleen gasped in horror.  “We could never do such a thing!”  She burst out just as I asked.  “Is that actually possible?"  She shot me the coldest look I had ever seen her make.

"Its like any other limb right?" I asked quietly, ducking my head more. I didn't want them gone, but if it would be better for all of us. I was willing to do it then.

Maleen:

“Humans don’t usually just hack off their limbs just for fun.” I said glaring at Rina. She shrugged. “We’re not going to do that to you. We just need to hide them is all. And if We can’t then we will go off where no one will see them.” I told Wren gently.

Wren:

I nodded uncomfortably. I didn't think we could just leave. Maleen was working so hard to be useful, could she really just leave? Just like that? And for me no less...

Rina:

I left the two of them in search of clothing for Wren. And there was only one person here who I knew would be able to find me some. “I need male clothing for Wren.” I said bluntly, annoyed to have to be talking to Talon again.

Talon:

I looked up from the map spread in front of me on the ground. "Okay...I wont ask. Talk to any of my soldiers they can give you what you need. All of my spares, I left with the rest of your people." I rubbed my eyes tiredly before looking up at her again.

Rina:

“Cant you just get them for her?” I asked. I felt it would be weird for a girl they were unfamiliar with asking for their clothes. And I didn’t particularly want any of them to know that I was dressing one of my girls up like a boy. “And can you not say it’s for her?”

I gave her a blank look then shrugged. "Yes. Just pick out a soldier, for the size of clothing. I can guess Wren's size but I don't know what you want this for."

Rina:

“She’s pretty small… But I need something shapeless that wont show her figure… But allows for growth…” I said a little awkwardly, trying to be vague.

I nodded once and then got to my feet, ignoring the dust on my armor. I folded up the map and stowed it into the pack I also left on the ground. "Come on then." I said heading to where a group of my troops were working with all the rope I had taken from the resistance.

Rina:

I followed behind him, not really wanting to be included in this. I would have preferred if Maleen had handled this on her own, but I was responsible for them so I had to do this.

I glanced over my shoulder at Rina before just focusing on the task. I pulled aside one of my soldiers and had a short conversation with him. He pulled his pack closer and grabbed a bundle from inside and passed it to me. I took the bundle and walked back towards where I had left my pack.

Rina:

I followed him again. “What are you doing?” I asked picking up the pace to walk next to him.

Talon:

"The fact that you asked me to get this from one of my men suggests you don't want people to know you need this. So, I am going to a discreet distance where no one will be able to tell." I replied calmly, passing her the bundle of clothes.

Rina:

“Ah.” I said looking down at the clothing. “Thank you.” I said softly looking back up to him.

Talon:

I looked at her in surprise, not expecting her to thank me. "S-sure." I fumbled over my words as it took me a moment to recover. I gave a genuine, warm and soft smile to her.

Rina:

I felt a strange little fluttering spasm in my chest when I looked up to see him smile. Dropping my gaze, I cleared my throat and turned a little. “I should get these to her…” I said awkwardly.

Talon:

I nodded and gestured towards my stuff. "Until everyone is ready you know where to find me."

Maleen:

Rina had come back with the clothes and helped Wren get into them.  I wondered off with my spell book to test Calan’s mark, to see if it helped me.  I found a spell to change the appearance of someone, and I thought it would help Wren.  It would only work if it was preformed alone and out of sight.  I crept into the woods and found a secluded spot before opening my book.  

Rina:

I left Wren in her tent and went around the camp ground.  I was anxious to be on the road, I had nothing else to do. It seemed that, unless I was paying attention to where I was going, I would find myself getting closer to Talon. I had to mentally redirect myself to keep from going there.