Reunions (E 2.1, H 2.1, L 2.1)

"Oh, I see." I reach out to the necklace, bringing my fingers around behind it to study it, but not yet grasping it. I look from the necklace back to Janelle's face. With my other hand, I press down on top of her own so that I'm holding both the jewelry and her hand in my own. "It is not necessary. We will deliver the message, and you can do something for me in the future. Loyal, reliable people are hard to find in our city." I let go of her hand and leave the necklace in her possession.

"Come, let us go find our messengers." I intend to send Jackdaw - I promised Kestrel I would speak to him as well - but I want Mynah to be the one to hear the message from Janelle, and take the lead in delivering it to the Tower.

Saved me? These people are all crazy if they think they're the heroes in this story. Of course, I knew that much already. Look at their leader.

I sip a little more soup then answer softly, "It would have been a very pretty cage." I look up, meeting her eyes and I find myself reaching for the Whispers, wanting to expose her mind to me so I'm not the vulnerable one here anymore. My eyes narrow as I tilt my head to the side, studying her closely and continuing in a soft whisper, "Maybe you don't know what it's like trying to survive alone."

I pause as I consider Merlin's words. "Thank you." I manage to say, his wisdom transmuting my caution to confidence. Now, let's go get some sterile syringes and tubing - I almost say out loud, but just walk alongside the weathered Talon.

Litch,
You lead Janelle through The Roost until you find Jackdaw, who happens to be in the armory with Plover showing off the "frelling huge rockets" to her. Kestrel isn't here - she probably found an excuse to leave when Jackdaw came in. Jackdaw is telling Plover the story of how he "landed" the best deal the Talons have ever seen as you walk in. He spreads his hands and grins, inviting you in for the story.

You've heard it.

What do you do?

Helix,

The vision is shared more in your eyes than your ears. The whispers don't steal her secrets to give to you this time. Perhaps it's this Gray Wing sharing knowledge?

You see a day you've only heard about but from Zephyr's point of view. A younger girl, almost out of her teens, watches as Harpy drowns Condor, screaming at him that he will see, he will see. She stands by the water's edge, begging Harpy to stop. Merlin shoves her aside and grabs Harpy away, but it's too late - Condor is dead. You hear Zephyr's sobs in your own lungs before you're pulled away from that moment.

What do you do?

It's strange, seeing this event from Zephyr's eyes. I'm not sure if it's because I've seen it only from Nuport's perspective before, or if it's the Gray Wing's touch that seems so foreign.

After a moment of adjusting and swallowing down the sobs that somehow have tightened my chest even though they weren't my own, I continue softly, answering my own musing aloud, "No. You don't know what it's like trying to survive alone. Even on your worst day, you had Merlin there to step in and stop Nuport when you couldn't. Even if it was too late."

It irritates me to have searched throughout the Roost, only to come full circle and find Jackdaw in the room I had started outside of. Not wanting to look like a fool, towing Janelle around the entire building fruitlessly hunting for Jack, we had stopped in the mechanical hangar so I could inform Mynah of the mission and so that the body guard could give her the message to deliver to Princy's people. I left the two conversing to continue my search.

I push my pique aside, along with Jack's story. "Later, Jack. I've got another use for your skills just now. I need you to go with Mynah to deliver a message to Princy. He needs to know we have his girls so we can get our take. Think you have the energy for another excursion?" I challenge lightly.

Syd,
As soon as Merlin points her out, you hear a shrill whistle and see Canary waving.

She calls it an offer the same way Litch called me a guest. These people talk like they didn't snatch me out of a vault and carry me away, hiding me here like a coin deep in the pocket of a pirate.

My lips tighten and I nibble on a bit more of bread before I speak again. "You really think you mean that, don't you? That you're offering me some kind of...community here."

At the sight of the Refuge, and the yellow slicker on board, I feel a wave of relief wash over me. I should probably feel more on edge than I do, considering the events that transpired the last time we were together. A smile spreads across my face and I say to Merlin, "I was looking forward to learning a thing or two from you, but a raincheck may be in order." I wave back toward Canary, and motion in a way that I hope beckons her and the Refuge closer.

I watch as the gentle, mid-morning waves lap against the Refuge as it slowly draws closer. Admiring how Canary effortlessly and masterfully goes about controlling her ship, and whisper to Merlin, "Is the Grey Wing good?" It seems childish as the words tumble from my mouth, but the inquiry is genuine.

Litch,
Jackdaw, always an easy mark on his pride, takes the bait and heads off. He does squeeze Plover's shoulder and gives her a smile before he disappears, leaving you with Plover in the armory. She realizes she's alone with you and mumbles an excuse about some work that needs to be done.

What do you do?

I hold out my arm to rest on her shoulder as she starts to turn away. I don't use any force to stop her, merely touching her to make her pause. "Your mother told me that she helped you, Plo." I say, replacing Litch the High Druid with Litch the father in this moment. "It still makes me sad, but...your mother is wise and you were right to trust her. I am sorry that I didn't use more patience and understanding the other day. You are brave and true, girl." I repeat the complimentary traits Kestrel used for her earlier. "And you are more precious to me than I think you sometimes believe."

Zephyr seems so sincere, it's hard to remain skeptical. Of course, a sincere death cult apostate is still a death cult apostate and that cannot be understated.

Still, when I move that to the side, all that remains is a daughter wanting to make her father proud. It's not a feeling I can relate to, but it's one I can imagine. I don't want to be the reason she fails him, at least not until it has a more lucrative reward for me to accompany it.

I find myself looking into the black beady eyes of the bird again. "It does feel weird," I murmur. I bring my gaze back to Zephyr. "Why do you think the Gray Wing didn't stop Harpy that day? Are you afraid it might happen again?"

I pull her into my arms and hold her, gently saying. "Even if you do, I'll be here to talk to you. Guide you to making the decisions you think are best, daughter." I rock her gently in my arms for a minute, then hold her back so I can look into her face. "Jack may be the wrong guy...and he may not be. I see the way he treats you and I cannot fault his tenderness. But...well, you know his tendencies as well as the rest of us. Your mother doesn't approve, of course, but that's a tough bar to pass." I chuckle, knowing that Plover is all too aware of Kestrel's high standards in everything we do.

"Now, how are the women from the Towers faring? Did Syd get them all patched?"