Mae was deep in her thoughts and books when a screech of bird distracted her, right by the open window. Startled, woman rose her head and saw a hawk settled on the windowsill. If that wasn't strange enough, he also had something tied to his leg. Now, she had seen various messenger birds, from ravens to doves, but never a hawk. Careful to not spook him just in case, softly speaking to the regal bird, she moved closer and was surprised that he readily let her take what turned out to be letter. She opened it and hurriedly read through it, her mouth opening slightly as her face paled and then flushed, both from strange flutter in her chest and anger.

"Dear hawk, can you wait while I write a letter to your dark skinned friend?" she asked in elvish and as the bird seemed not to be in any rush, started the reply. But it was harder than writing anything else she had ever had to. The emotions in her were greatly mixed. Anger with embarrassment, a sting of sadness and rejection as well, and something she couldn't quite place... Oh yes, she was quite furious indeed! Not only he did not give her a chance to actually talk with him, the drow spouted nonsense about him marring her 'perfect form' or something of the sort.

If she were so admirable and strong as he said her to be, then he should have respected her opinion and right to choose! Even if it were to tell him nothing between them was possible. But even then, it would not be for such a ridiculous reason! Ah, what would she tell him if he were here? By gods, they would probably get into another argue and quickly. They were so different, perhaps not quite like day and night, but enough for something between them to be quite impossible. His feelings were quick, she would either have to tell him nothing could ever happen or lead him on, saying that he had to give her time... And, much to her own frustration, Lacrimae felt as if she would have went with this thought, had she been given the chance.

To think that she might never see him again, with his broody face that suddenly was lit by goofy smile... She bit her lip slightly and then shook her head. No, this would not be the last she heard of him or other way around! And that was one of the things she told him in the letter, written with perfect penmanship but filled with uncertain emotions she couldn't quite hide. Finally the letter was finished and she slid it in envelope, writing his name on it and sealing carefully, before tying it to hawk's leg. With that, the bird was off and she had the duty of telling Kevlar the news.

---

Marwolaeth sensed the man approaching before he even entered the room, the truly peaceful look that had been on her face for mere moments as she gazed out to the garden from balcony disappearing at this realization. It was not that she was afraid of Kevlar, or anyone else for the matter, and inwardly, she felt as calm as before, but the woman highly guarded her emotions, most of them anyhow, and it was just an image ruiner to have her seen smiling slightly at the beautiful view.

She turned towards the door, right as he entered, brow quirked as she took in him from head to toe, inspecting as one would prey. As the man spoke, her smirk only grew wider. So, he thought he knew what she thought and tried to be all noble? How boring and predictable. In fact, it was even laughable how the human tried to erase the bounty on her head even though he couldn't truly know if she wasn't involved in the crime. And if Marwo thought about all the other things she had done, oh, this reward wasn't anywhere near the sum she'd have on her head then.

As he was about to leave, she moved from her spot, with speed and grace of wild cat, catching up to the man and stopping righy in front of him, with barely any distance between them, her head tilted upwards to gaze in his eyes directly.

"Tell me, knight," her voice didn't have the usual tone of mockery at his title, skillfully hidden for the moment, "do you trust me?" She leaned even closer then, looking both devious and gentle.

---

It was soon after that Kevlar's and Marwo's conversation was finished that Mae found him. Her face was serious, perhaps even crestfallen, and although she held her as upright as always, there wasn't quite the bounce to it as usually. "I received a letter from Saith. He told us to continue the journey without him for now." Her voice was calm and decisive as she continued: "We will spend another day here and then set out morning after tomorrow."