Disclaimer: I do not own Storm Hawks or any of its characters. I do, however, own my own characters and plots.

Chapter 42

It had been some time since Aerrow faced this kind of request, and even then it wasn't as conflicting or bizarre.

Piper spent a lot of time convincing him and the rest of the crew. She had them sit down firmly before she explained the situation, assuming someone would get weak in the knees- that someone being Stork. She started by bringing up Maia.

Maia needed help.

She needed refuge.

Aerrow, Finn and Junko were more than willing to oblige and return the favour. After all, there was no telling what would've happened to them if Repton had succeeded in handing them off to Cyclonis. Piper, though pleased by the initial response, still took in a deep breath, mustering up courage.

"What would you do if I told you that, um..."

She was struggling. What was it?

"That Maia was... a Raptor...?"

The reaction was mixed. Both Finn and Junko laughed, treating Piper's proposition as a joke. Aerrow was strung along with it, but he still remained distant, puzzled as to why his navigator would say such a thing. Radarr and Stork displayed incredulous looks on their faces. The mirth soon transformed into denial when Finn and Junko could not break Piper into giving away the punchline. She didn't because there was nothing of the sort.

"I know it's crazy, but Maia... there's more to her than we've seen," Piper stated. "Maia is a persona, a secret identity. Her real name is Nakoto, and y'know... she's a Raptor."

"How long have you known?" Aerrow demanded. As Sky Knight, he was expected to be stern and authoritative, but among friends he felt comfortable enough to show when he was hurt. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I found out before Repton attacked us." Piper smiled apologetically. "I wanted to tell you. You guys are my best friends. I just... after what she did for us, I felt I needed to keep her secret safe. Cyclonia is hunting for her."

"Does Cyclonis know about her secret...?" Piper shook her head. "Then why does she need our help now? Has something happened?"

"She doesn't have anywhere to go right now. She and her sister are... on bad terms with Atmosia."

"What?"

Piper was trying her best to make the situation seem lighter than it was. In fact, it sounded like she was asking him to allow refugee criminals on board. To be "on bad terms" with the heart of Free Atmos was bound to raise some red flags. The Navigator's eyes flickered in agitation for a brief moment before locking onto Aerrow, pleading.

"She is a good person," she said, unfaltering. "Can't you take my word for it?"

"I'm not sure if you know her as well as you think you do."

"Aerrow, please, she only asked for a few days-"

"When?"

She flinched at being cut off so abruptly. "She... she hasn't said yet. I'm waiting for the transmission."

He wasn't going to ask how they communicated without him knowing in the first place; it was an old detail now. He broke eye-contact and brought his hand to his chin. "I need some time to think," he said curtly. "I think we all do."

Piper seemed discouraged at his response, but she didn't persist. Maybe she knew she would have to work it over with them for the next couple of days. It just didn't make sense... Maia interfered with Repton and paid the Storm Hawks a huge favour, but she was a Raptor all along. Why would she turn on her own kind?

Days passed, collecting to over a week, and the proposal fell into the background while they focused on the things at hand. The contents of their schedule ranged in importance and urgency, from skirmishes with Talons and restocking supplies to pleasures and getaways. Piper was the only one that grew a bit solemn from time to time. Aerrow noticed and knew that her mind went back to Nakoto, and in turn he would direct his attention to it.

"She really is different, Aerrow," Piper would say, in their own company. His lips would thin.

He would just have to be the judge of that.

A radio transmission went through and Stork notified him that it traced back to somewhere in Terra Deep... already an unnerving thought. Finding the notion completely random, Aerrow went to investigate and found Piper at the receiver. She was in the middle of a sentence but turned her head at his approach, trailing off. She smiled faintly.

"Aerrow's here," she said, still squeezing the PTT of the receiver. "Maybe you ought to speak with him."

"I think that would be best," the voice replied, the static slightly hindering. It was almost enough to cover the rolling hiss in her voice. Piper stood up and stepped aside, beckoning Aerrow. He paused a good moment before taking her seat and the mouthpiece. He collected breath and pressed the PTT.

"This is Aerrow speaking."

"Hail, Aerrow of the Storm Hawks," the reptilian voice greeted formally. He found it difficult to treat the goodwill in any relaxed manner. "I am Nakoto... I hope you're doing well."

"I am."

"I know that Piper has brought my request up with you. I fully respect your aversion and I can't say I'm surprised. You have every right."

Aerrow leaned forward a little, hunching his shoulders. "Why are you asking us? Won't Bogaton help you?"

Piper was going to say something, appearing mortified that he would ask something so bluntly. Nakoto's humourless chuckle rippled over the frequency.

"No, I trust they won't. They're affiliated with Cyclonia, as you know."

There was a familiarity in the voice; he could find Maia's way of speaking, a hint of her lisp. He realized now that the lisp wasn't that at all, merely a sliver of her true voice under the influence of a contraption. It made the situation even more confusing. Aerrow found himself unable to decide between speaking as friend or foe.

"I've found refuge in Terra Deep along with my sister, but it's a matter of time before Cyclonia breaks in," she continued. "This is why I'm asking this of you. Only for a few days while we collect our bearings-"

"We don't know you," Aerrow cut her off promptly. Piper showed her discomfort yet again. "And apparently Atmosia's signed for your arrest. If anything, we're obligated to subdue the both of you."

"Aerrow, please!" Piper scolded lowly. Aerrow released the mouthpiece and turned to her, his eyes hard. Nakoto couldn't hear their conversation, but she still remained silent. "This is all just a misunderstanding!"

"We don't know her, Piper! Do you really want us to just blindly help someone deemed a criminal by Free Atmos? And she's contacting us from Terra Deep, home base of Murk Raiders... that's not any better! It's not like you to act this way-"

"She is my friend! Just like you, or Finn, or anyone on this ship!" Tears of frustration collected in the corners of her eyes. "And just in case you forgot, we owe her a debt!"

Aerrow's nose flared in indignation, aware of the prospect but too proud to admit it. He was about to defend himself when Nakoto tuned back onto the frequency.

"My apologies," she said wearily. She was unaware of the quick spat between Knight and Navigator. "Yes, we... don't know each other. I know this is a bit much to ask..."

"Who are you talking to?"

Both Aerrow and Piper stared at the radio inquiringly, baffled by the new voice. It was the soft voice of a young girl.

"The Storm Hawks, sweetie... I told you about them," the Raptoress answered soothingly. Evidently she didn't bother releasing the mouthpiece, indulging Aerrow and Piper in her exchange. "I'll tuck you in after this call, okay?"

"Can I say hi?" There was another moment of silence before their receiver was engaged again. "Storm Hawks?"

The girl's voice sounded louder, closer, a note of curiosity in her voice. Was she sitting on Nakoto's lap? Aerrow's brow quirked.

"Speaking..."

"My name is Sylvia."

"Hi, Sylvia," Piper addressed over Aerrow's shoulder, her own voice light and friendly.

"Nakoto told me about Maia and her adventure with you guys, and you seem really nice. Will I get to meet them, Nakoto?" The Raptoress said nothing, and the girl didn't wait for an answer. "Are you Aerrow? What's it like being a Sky Knight? Do you fight a lot of bad guys?Oh, how fast does your Skimmer fly? How high?"

The trail of questions left Aerrow a little lost for words. Nakoto intervened before Sylvia could go into another barrage, her chuckle sounding more genuine.

"It's getting late, sweetheart. We're going to end the call and I'll tell you another story."

"I'm not..." The remnants of a yawn floated over to the Condor. "...sleepy yet, though..."

"Soon enough. Go on to your room, I'll catch up with you."

There was some dissent in the young one, only lasting a few seconds before she obeyed. Aerrow and Piper waited. The Raptoress returned to their conversation.

"I think our call will be a bit shorter than expected, so I'll wrap things up," Nakoto sighed. "I just want to say a few words. I know that this is a hefty request, to be brought aboard the Condor. You have every reason to be wary, I know. But you... are my last hope. If you won't do it for me, at least do it for Sylvia... I need to make sure she gets somewhere safe."

Had Nakoto a child in her care the entire time? Why was this the first time he heard of her? Not even Piper seemed to know about it. It sounded like Sylvia was being used as a ploy, a last-minute trump card at twisting their arm. Aerrow couldn't help but feel outraged at that, and he was even less inclined to help. In spite of this, he could not bring himself to decline outright. The risk of Nakoto speaking truth -concern over Sylvia's welfare- was too great to just ignore. If it was a gamble, the Raptoress succeeded and struck jackpot.

Aerrow closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. "When did you... want to board?"

"As soon as possible."

"We're stationing at Terra Amazonia tomorrow night. We'll wait for you there."

Silence lasted a few moments, followed by a deep breath of relief. "Thank you, Aerrow. From the bottom of my heart."

The Sky Knight turned the radio offline without any proper farewell. He swivelled in his seat and caught Piper's gaze, which happened to be dark and cold.

"You could have handled that a little more pleasantly, you know," she sniffed. He took a breath to counter but her tone was sharp. "When have you ever let a stereotype control you? She's still a person!"

"I'm only thinking for the safety of everyone on this ship!" Piper shook her head aggressively with a grimace and stormed out of the room. "Piper, I-"

She didn't stick around to hear any of it. Aerrow was left fuming at her words, sitting by the radio. He eventually stood up and left the room, too, in the opposite direction Piper went. Was he in the wrong for treating this rationally? How else was he expected to react? Maia...

...no, Nakoto. Nakoto was a stranger, and a Raptor.

He had time to brood over the situation up until the appointed time. The rest of the crew had voiced their agreement to Piper's plea... whether out of trust or curiosity, it was hard to say. Stork latched the Condor's hull under a hooking precipice of Amazonia at dusk, the vivid colours draining and trailing the retreating sun. Aerrow stood with Piper at the railing just above the Skimmer bay, embraced by the cool breeze of nightfall. The Terra's cicadas just started their nightly chorus.

"Maybe we should have told her where we would be?" Piper said, but it seemed she was mostly speaking to herself, given that she answered her own question. "No, I'm sure she won't have trouble."

"Maybe we should have asked her at what time, too."

"She might have said, if you hadn't cut her so short."

Aerrow sighed through his nose. Piper may not have been entirely up to speaking with him, but she wasn't going to let a chance to chastise fly by. Given some time to think, he could understand her position... perhaps she really did know what he didn't. And maybe he was being lead by assumption, his caution fuelled by misplaced hatred. The Terradons were nothing like Repton, and they were considered a subspecies of Raptor. Although he couldn't banish the churning in his gut, he was a little more open to the objective.

It was a few hours later when they arrived. The crew heard them before they saw them, in which case Aerrow fetched the nightvision specs. They hovered in front of the Condor, two Skimmers with "human" riders. The child was hard to see, wrapped up in a thick blanket, clinging to the front of Maia. He recognized her, appearing just as they saw her last. Aerrow m,otioned to Stork to open the bay, and the riders made way for it in response. Once inside the bay doors were closed again, and all of the Storm Hawks attended the greeting.

The riders were dismounting their rides when everyone arrived. Maia was a lot more slow in her movements, her face neutral and downcast. The other watched them as they approached, her arms crossed and one leg supporting most of her weight. A human form, light skin, chestnut hair, grey eyes... all irrelevant details in retrospect. Her eyes were cold and harsh, and Aerrow felt that Finn and Junko slowed their pace because of it, bringing them back to Stork's cautious, sauntering pace. Piper was the one leading the group, without any delay, while Aerrow followed closely behind her, Radarr on his shoulder. Maia finally looked up to them as well, and a small, gentle smile touched her features, a stark contrast with the figure beside her. The little girl stirred, raising her head and rubbing her eye. Maia angled her head and whispered in her ear before letting her slide down to her feet out of the blanket.

"I'm so happy you made it," Piper started. She looked at Sylvia and flashed her a friendly smile. The child was too drowsy to respond, burying her face into Maia's right side. Maia had draped the blanket back down on her Skimmer's seat. "You didn't have any trouble?"

"The flight was fine. It was just difficult leaving Terra Deep... Cyclonian scouts delayed our trip." The voice leaving Maia's lips was truly disorienting to Aerrow. She wasn't wearing the collar, concluding his assertion on a voice enhancer. He thought back to the first conversation he had with her, remembering she explained there was a hole in her throat. He noted how well she lied... he didn't suspect anything at the time. There was a crystal hanging around her neck, which he did recognize but often saw tucked into her shirt. Now it was out in the open, glowing faintly.

"You can reveal yourselves now," he said stiffly, skipping the greeting. Maia turned her eyes upon him. "There's no need for disguises on the Condor."

"As you wish," she said. She looked at the bay doors to ensure that they were truly closed, then reached for the crystal. The other followed suit and both humans disappeared. In their place were two Raptors of likes he had never seen. He was taken aback, having expected Bogaton inhabitants. No, the complexions, the webbed crowns lining the top of their heads... very different. Both Raptors were graced with scarring he deduced fairly recent, at least a month old.

"Welcome, Nakoto," Piper said shortly after the unveiling, and she stepped forward, raising her arms. Nakoto accepted her embrace, wrapping her left arm around while her right hand stayed on Sylvia's shoulder. Aerrow gave a start when he saw the talons, and his eyes darted back to her left hand. He didn't know anything about Raptor anatomy, but he had the other Raptoress present to use in comparison. Both of her hands seemed normal, and Nakoto's left hand was, too. The child didn't seem at all scared or uncomfortable of her right hand.

Piper withdrew and turned to the other Raptor, extending her hand. "Welcome, Farida. I'm pleased to finally meet you."

Farida wasn't quick in returning the gesture. Her eyes were much more fierce and intimidating behind the mask, accented by a scowl. Eventually though, she unfolded her arms and gripped Piper's hand, initiating a brisk shake before letting go again. The three vertical scars on her torso looked like they would be gone soon, unlike the wide lesion on Nakoto's left shoulder.

"Is there a room for Sylvia ready? It's much too late for her." Aerrow turned at Nakoto's inquiry, and he watched her pick Sylvia up again. The small thing wrapped her arms around the Raptoress' neck and rested her forehead in the nook of it. The Raptoress smiled ruefully. "She was really excited to meet you, but we had to leave later than expected. Now it's way past her bedtime, isn't it sweetheart?"

Sylvia nodded drowsily, emitting a soft yawn into her shoulder.

"There are two rooms we can give you," Aerrow proceeded. "Sylvia can take one of them, while you and your sister share another." Nakoto nodded. "I have a few rules for you to take heed of."

"We will do whatever you want, Aerrow."

"You won't leave your room without any of us accompanying you. If you need anything, you tell us, and we'll unlock your door."

Farida's expression darkened at the mention of a locked door. She threw a heated glance at Nakoto, who nodded again. Piper crossed her arms, sighing to herself.

"I'll also need you to leave any weapons here." Aerrow continued. He hesitated for a moment, realizing that there was only one weapon that could be left behind. Farida bared her teeth slightly, but one look from her sister and she obliged resentfully. She unstrapped her sword noisily and propped it against her ride. Aerrow contemplated removing the crystal from it but realized it didn't have one. He caught sight of her tail, startled by the small spade and how sharp it seemed. Nakoto didn't have one on hers, but she did have those Claws...

"We'll do anything you ask," Nakoto assured. She smiled regretfully. "As much as we can physically do, anyway."

She seemed to have a way of reading his thoughts. It was clear that she wanted to place Sylvia in her room right away, so Aerrow wordlessly beckoned them to follow him. Nakoto went forth, Piper keeping beside her and Farida shadowing right behind her. Out of the others, Junko joined them and walked behind Farida, probably the best means of precaution. Finn and Stork stayed behind.

Nakoto tucked the child in while the others stayed outside in the hall of the living quarters. Farida folded her arms again and closed her eyes, waiting silently. She still looked disgruntled and not at all sociable. Aerrow watched as Nakoto placed Sylvia on the bed, and he perceived how tender she was. The girl looked real small, almost sucked up in the spare bed and sheets they had on the ship. The Raptoress leaned down and touched her snout to her forehead, but she was long gone in slumber to have felt it.

She joined them in the hall. She bowed her head to Aerrow, eyes closed. "I ask that we go to our room, too... We've had a long ride."

"Fair enough." Aerrow rigidly motioned forth before taking the lead again. The room in which they strew hammocks for the Raptors was a bit further down the way, since they didn't have enough spare rooms. In his mind, it was best this way, too; if there was treason, at least they would be well off from whoever was vulnerable sleeping. While they walked, Aerrow looked over his shoulder to find that the company wasn't keeping stride. Farida was walking closer to Nakoto than before, and he caught concern on Piper's features. This would have set off his guard for attack but Nakoto's faded eyes and stuporous movement convinced him otherwise.

They reached the room and the Raptors stepped inside. Nakoto cleared her throat and brought her eyes to them, forcing a weak smile.

"Let's talk more tomorrow," she said. "I can't thank you enough for your help..."

"It's nothing, Nakoto." Piper wound her arms behind her back, one hand catching the elbow of the other arm. "There's a P.A. system in there that you can access. Just press that if you two need anything and I'll come by."

Nakoto nodded slowly, looking distracted. Farida was watching her closely, expressionless. Aerrow reached over and touched the panel, enabling the door to shut swiftly, sealing the room. He let out a gust of air and stared at the door for a moment, listening. He heard very little on the other side.

"Nakoto's sick."

Aerrow cast his eyes to the Navigator, questioning. She in return gave him a look of disbelief. "You couldn't tell?" she whispered. They made their way back to the living quarters, allowing her voice to regain regular volume. "Her skin..."

Count to think of it, Nakoto was very pale in comparison to her sister. He hadn't seen her before so how could that have come to mind? The plumage of birds faded as their health did. Alarm suddenly flared in Aerrow's gut. "Do you think we've let on board some sort of contagion-?"

"If she's sick, chances are it's limited to her species," Piper mused. She shook her head. "She wasn't coughing, nor congested... just exhausted..."

Aerrow's jaw tightened. "We'll just have to keep a really close eye on them. Let the others know we're taking turns on the nightwatch."

Nothing happened in the night. Rather, the sun had just breached the horizon when Aerrow found Sylvia wandering the halls.

He didn't think they'd have to also lock her door, underestimating her ability to figure it out. She walked on the balls of her bare feet across the cold steal floor, and her arms were folded tightly across her chest to keep warm. She noticed him approach and shied away against the wall, watching warily. He flashed her a tired yet comforting smile.

"Hi Sylvia... I'm Aerrow. We talked on the radio for a bit, remember?"

She blinked, expressionless, but she did inch away from the wall. He reached down, beckoning for her hand.

"Do you want to see the ship's bridge? We can get you some breakfast?"

"I want to see Nakoto."

Aerrow's smile faltered. The little girl looked past him, down the corridor. "I've been knocking," she sniffed. "All these doors. Nobody's answered, and I hear snoring but they're not hers. I don't think she snores... I wanted to ask her something."

She probably heard Junko's snoring. Aerrow suppressed a frown, not meaning to discourage the girl of any of her requests. He just found it odd, for her to be so attached to the Raptoress. Perhaps, like Piper, she knew something he didn't, and he was willing to give her some credit. He sucked in breath and nodded curtly.

"I'll take you to her room. I don't think you've been down this way, have you?" Sylvia shook her head and finally took him up on his offered hand. Her grip was tight. "We didn't have enough spare rooms together so we had to make another one at the end here..."

They reached the door and before he could raise his hand Sylvia was up to it, knocking. "Nakoto, Nakoto!" she chirped. "Good morning!"

He heard shuffling, and then a prompt reply, though muffled and low. It appeared she was already awake. "Good morning, Sylvia. Did you sleep well?"

"Can you come out?"

"Not by myself. You should go and ask one of the Storm Hawks to open the door. Be sure to be polite, yeah?"

Sylvia looked up at Aerrow expectantly. He lifted his hand up to the sensory lock and engaged it, sending the door away. Nakoto stood there, a bit surprised. She was shirtless, taking Aerrow off-guard and flustered for a moment before reminded of its irrelevance. Female Raptors were somewhat androgynous to the human eye.

"Oh." She cleared her throat, eyes falling upon the human child. "What do we say, Sylvia?"

"Thankye," she murmured quickly. She stepped into the doorway right in front of Nakoto, causing Aerrow's shoulders to tense momentarily. He couldn't see the other Raptoress in the dimness of the room. "I have a question."

Nakoto knelt her one leg down, sitting on her haunches to speak level with the girl. The spines on her head rose just a little bit, still slack with fatigue. "What might that be?"

"What happened after Maia reached her ride? In the Wastelands?" A genuine smile overcame Nakoto's face and she let out a short laugh, turning her face way. It brightened her visage considerably. "What? I want to know!"

"I've spoiled you!" Nakoto chuckled. Aerrow watched the exchange, unable to interrupt. "You can wait until tonight, when it's more appropriate to-"

"It's gonna drive me crazy~!" Sylvia trilled the last syllable and grasped Nakoto's propped knee, angling her face at the Raptoress'. "Come to breakfast and tell me. Please, pretty please? You didn't get to tell me yesterday..."

Nakoto stayed silent, withstanding the girl's pleas for a minute. She glanced back up at Aerrow and took a breath. "Well, if it's okay with Aerrow," she started, "Then maybe I'll come and entertain you. But the story ends when I say it does."

Sylvia turned around and addressed the Sky Knight, staring. She didn't say anything, voicelessly demanding just as she did when it came to opening the door. Aerrow cleared his own throat.

"Yeah, we can do that..."

Nakoto simpered gently. She pressed both hands across her knee and pushed, helping herself back onto her feet again with some extended effort. She turned to the room and called softly, "Do you want me to bring you breakfast, Farida?"

Farida didn't say anything, but she must have nodded outside of Aerrow's view. Nakoto stepped through the doorway and spread her right hand at her side. Sylvia was much faster at taking it than Aerrow's. The Sky Knight touched the panel and shut the door again before leading them.

Piper greeted them wholeheartedly, being the morning person that she was. Stork stood at the helm and paid them no heed, initiating departure. Nakoto allowed Sylvia dibs on seating at the table, waiting at the edge of the bench. With the ship's boosters at full power, Stork unlatched the Condor from the cliff face and disembarked. The motion of the ship was smooth, as usual, but Nakoto still teetered unsteadily where she stood, to the point where she grabbed the back of the bench. Aerrow looked down instinctively and saw that her feet were raw, encased with taut, healing blisters. It seemed, though, that these were unrelated to her staggering. She and Aerrow made eye-contact but she immediately broke away.

She seated herself by Sylvia. Aerrow sat across from them, observing them intently. It seemed like so long ago that he sat here, across from Maia, right where Nakoto was sitting. It was the same person... it was still really difficult to wrap his head around that. Piper had gone to bring the two of them breakfast.

In the meantime Nakoto amused the young one and started presenting, turning her body toward the child. In the space between them she expressed a great deal with her hands, combined with a word choice that even captivated Aerrow. Sylvia's eyes were unwavering as Nakoto described Maia's flight into the Wastelands for her fallen Skimmer, which she found in the alcove of an igneous peak. The flight out proved even more treacherous than in when Vulca Bats entered the fray, especially hungry for steel and blood. The Sky Knight could see that Stork showed a bit of interest, his ears twitching at the climax. At one point, Nakoto chortled and gestured to Aerrow, claiming that an instructional video he donated to Atmosia proved in handy to Maia. Sylvia grinned at Aerrow in turn, and he couldn't help but smile back slightly. Things were starting to run less awkwardly and he found it hard to be completely closed-off. While storytelling, Nakoto was a lot more lively.

Piper brought scrambled eggs and set the plates down before the two guests, Aerrow and Piper themselves having already eaten. Sylvia was quick to pick it up, whereas Nakoto moved a lot more gingerly.

"How did you sleep?" Piper asked, eager to converse with the Raptoress. The crown on her head perked up a little, but fell again neutrally. She hummed.

"Farida slept very well. We couldn't have ask for a more comfortable spare."

Piper waited for her to continue, since the question was oriented on how she slept, not her sister. Nakoto did not appease it though, and her lips tugged up at the corners into a regretful smile. "I have a lot to tell you, Piper, but I would much rather speak about it later," she told her. "Pleasantries are just... not something I can afford right now."

She reached over and stroked Sylvia's hair, sweeping stray locks behind her ear with a hooked Claw. There was complete control there, no unsure movement that could harm the girl. Sylvia's cheeks puffed out with the amount of food she stuffed in, and she giggled shortly at Nakoto's touch. The Raptoress addressed her own plate again and ate, although she picked at it more than anything. She couldn't finish it all.

"Maybe we have something for you. You know... to make you feel better. I can make you and your sister tea?"

Nakoto's eyes closed at Piper's offer, the remorseful smile still lingering. After a brief silence, she nodded her head.

"I would very much like that."

Piper stood and picked up their plates; Sylvia's clean disc and Nakoto's leftovers. The child pondered for a moment before turning and tugging at Nakoto's arm. "Um..."

"Yes, Sylvia?"

"When am I going to see Daddy?"

Aerrow saw some composure crack behind the Raptoress' eyes. "A little... later than I hoped." The child sat back, quirking her brow. Both of Nakoto's knitted upwards, self-deprecating. "It's no secret to Cyclonia that we escaped. They'll be looking for the both of us now... I'm sorry to say that bringing you to your father so soon wouldn't be safe."

Aerrow cast a closer look at Sylvia when Nakoto mentioned Cyclonia... was she Cyclonian-born? The Raptoress noticed his expression and wrapped an arm around Sylvia's shoulders, who scooted closer to her accordingly.

"Her father... is a good man," she explained, though slightly hesitant. Her smile came out crooked. "He's a doctor I met at the medical facility on Atmosia. Cyclonian, yes, but... I am indebted to him..."

Aerrow recognized a bit of bitterness in her voice, though not bluntly apparent. He realized that the Raptoress was in a similar situation as himself, fulfilling a reluctant promise of some sort. He would have pressured the conversation to continue, but he clued in that Nakoto was indecisive of elaborating because of Sylvia's presence. Clearly, there was a lot on the Raptoress' mind that a young child would benefit staying oblivious of.

Piper returned with another plate of eggs for Farida. She said the water was boiling so the tea would be ready shortly. She, Aerrow, Sylvia and Nakoto thus stood up to go back to the Raptoresses' room, leaving Stork to fly the Condor in solitude. Nakoto offered to take the plate for her sister, but Piper cheerfully declined. "You are guests," she had said simply. Nakoto's eyes crinkled with her tired smile, a grateful gleam in her eye. The way she looked at Piper was completely sincere, and Aerrow started to feel like his paranoia was misplaced. A sickly guilt took hold of him, but he was sure it would subside once he was given the chance to befriend Nakoto on his own terms.

Things were going well.

Upon entering the corridor where the Raptoresses rested, Nakoto collapsed to the floor.

End of Chapter

A/N: Hello hello!

I've noticed a lot of visitors and readers have been stopping by, which is always a nice feeling. But I have no idea if any of you like it, because only a select few take the time to review. Sometimes views aren't really enough for me to pump these chapters out for you, what with school and personal life taking up a great chunk of my attention.

If you really do want me to update more often, please review. Like any artist, a writer also appreciates praise and constructive criticism. Keeps the fire alive, yknow?

Until next time!

~Vix