[se] sitting here, wanting memories (open)

Now that the wire frame was completed, Alina took the glue from earlier. Very carefully, she attached the paper to the lantern, leaving a small opening at the bottom for the candle. When it was secured but drawing she held it up to inspect it. Then her brow furrowed with concentration and she held up her free hand. An illusory flame appeared within the lantern, causing it to glow and the charcoal drawings to stand out even further. It disappeared soon enough.

When there was no response forthcoming, she just scowled again. "I should've known better than to expect help and understanding from an outsider." The words were scornful and she turned her back to the dragon. Bending down she picked up her bag, securing it to her back carefully to leave her wings free. Then she reached for her spear. "I'm just trying to keep my people safe." The frustration in her voice was downright palpable.

The effect was beautiful, and Isuma trilled in admiration as the illusory flame brought the charcoal drawings to flickering life. Jigano crooned as well, a musical note of appreciation for the finished project, relieved that Alina was using illusory flame rather than a real one.

As she made preparations to leave the dragon rose as well, moving slowly and stretching like a large cat as Alina made her scorn known. Then again... she hadn't exactly been hiding it before, either. It made it hard to both trust her and to trust that her intentions were as good for 'outsiders' as for her own people. Given her disdain and militant threat towards Isuma earlier he couldn't help but wonder at what price that 'safety' would come at for others.

But he suspected that shifting into his human form to chat wouldn't improve her mood, and she already seemed angry that he hadn't immediately rolled over to her demands when she hadn't even offered her name or any basic courtesy.

He sighed, sympathetic to her cause, but there were other Fae he could ask for details. Ones who had done more to earn his trust and who he could see himself surrendering a feather to once he better understood the task the old gods had given to the winged people. With an apologetic bob of his head that gave Isuma a skyward bounce, he made a bounding leap to the edge of the Drop and then over it, wings snapping open to carry him up and over the colorful canopy, the wind that had nearly stolen Alina's lantern lifting him up and guiding him towards home.

He would seek out his friends another day. For now, the mysterious winged warrior had given him much to think on.

[Fin]