She actually blushed at the compliment. Not used to receiving any, and happy to hear that someone other than herself liked them. In many ways, Maea was still timid enough to shy from drawing attention to herself, and the wings were very visible. A bit ostentatious, almost. But Jigano was right that it didn't matter much what they did... though of course she would love if they could actually carry her weight someday.
Her smile faded a bit when his own did, and she cocked her head at the explanation why he kept his own problems close. "Is it your job to keep people at ease?" she asked, with perhaps more forwardness than tact dictated. "I think it's very thoughtful of you, but... don't you think you're keeping people from growing, too? If you aren't there to buffer them, perhaps they will find that they're actually strong enough to handle things on their own. And just maybe, they'll be able to help you instead." Her expression was kind, if not a little pointed. It sounded like the kind of thinking that would keep her from going off to Halo, sparing her from the painful learning experience it still might turn out to be.
The fox in him showed through, to Maea's delight, and her own smile was almost feline in return. Feral, and a bit hungry... "If you ever need help, I'm sure you can find a way to reach me," she offered. "If the monsters still stay in the Grounds, it shouldn't be a problem to come back." She thought of something Sunjata had said. "I heard you've found some clues about their identity? That they... don't have heartbeats?"
Maea
this too shall pass
