A Recognition of Shadows

[Reno]

A fine, blue eyebrow rose when the red eye looked away from her and Aqua's head tilted a little. Something seemed a little... off about him. She just couldn't put her finger on it quite yet. And it wasn't just because he was offering to help them either... or that he was strangely cute.

No, not cute. No! Aqua shook her head and followed after her cheeks a little pink.
Up ahead the second tallest boy, who had blonde hair and a fierce looking scar across his face - thankfully not fresh so it was done years ago, was getting in an argument with the eye-patched one. "Ah guys, calm down! We're friends and all, ya know?" The tallest was saying as he walked a few paces behind them. Meanwhile, Vivi the bearded cat, looked over his master's shoulder looking at them with an unnerving yellow gaze. When he spotted Invidia though she snarled. The rabbit-fox's feathers roughed and she gave a bark and a growl.
"Hey stop it!" Sora ordered but the little dispute gathered some attention.

"Hmph, well look at that. They should be entered in the fights." Seifer said, laughing some. "Hey, I think Vivi might even be worth a gold coin if we're lucky!"
"Sei, that ain't funny man!"
"The fights...?" Sora asked, his look confused.
Roxas scoffed and spoke up, looking disgusted. "It's an underground gambling ring in the Earth Kingdom capital where they find two animals to fight against one another."
"Yeah, I hear it's a great way to make some quick cash if you know where to go."
The blonde glared at Seifer, that hostility that always seemed to be around him back like never before. "It's also very illegal and cruel!"
"Oh please there just animals."
"They uproot and KILL thousands of animals a year!"
"K-Kill...?" Sora said, his eyes wide. Invidia didn't seem to like it either because she hopped right into Sora's arms, scrunching down to make herself look smaller.
"That's how the determine who wins." Roxas scoffed. "Whoever's still standing is lucky that day. Whoever isn't... is crowfood."
"That's awful. Why hasn't anyone stopped them!" Soran said, nuzzling his furry friend.
"They can't find them." Terra spoke up. "Bei Sing Sei is an incredible city and they're always moving. And, unfortunately, it's not a very high priority on the guard's list of things to take care of."

[Rikugurl]

"Sounds like fun~" Axel grinned but winced when he was jabbed in the ribs by the princess's elbow. Ventus paled at the number of animals that were crudely killed. Now he was seeing a whole new light to the Earth Kingdom. Not everyone was so kind and generous like Terra... Nothing in his teachings could make how he felt just as his stomach turned. Slowly his eyes closed and he tried to calm himself, pushing out the bad vibes the boys had given him.

The path led the group to a larger area that was settled, the trees had been cut down and made into houses. The village... was in pieces. Roofs were smashed, walls were gone, miscellaneous items cluttering the streets and broken in the dirt. Against one of the houses, they could see two other teens, one leaning against the side and another aiding a wound. They both looked up as they heard the sound of the group and the one aiding walked over. She was a pretty girl with cute brown ringlets and big green eyes. Her face and skin were dirty though and her dress was a bit torn. "Who are all of you?"
"Travelers..." The bleached hair boy indicated, making the young girl look at him with a frown. "Oh... well, this great timing..." She sighed softly before turning to them again.

She gave them a soft smile before speaking. "We were attacked last night but shadow creatures with yellow eyes and---"
"Yea, we heard the story from some very angry kid back in the forest." Axel thumbed back, not wanting to hear the story again.
"Oh... that was Hayner. He... he's always been like that. But, all that's left of this village is what you see here and us minus him. Pence over there is badly wounded and two more inside are too." He suddenly giggled, thinking about something. "I guess I'm the only girl around now! But... I'm sorry we can't offer something to you as guest because---"
"Eel Hound." The eye patched boy reported which made her blink. "Oh.... yes! There are two left. Ila and Enka. The rest vanished with the others but luckily they survived so they can help us travel to get supplies."

She turned back to the group, her face becoming a bit saddened. "I suppose you would like one? May I ask why? They are very important to us and we would like them back when you are finished needing them..."
"Well, we only need one. We're trying to get back to the Fire Nation." Axel pointed out to the girl which made her frown.
"Then why can't you take them to the Fire Nation colony a few miles from here and get one a machine and go?"
Green eyes narrowed, looking down at near matching ones. "Because that takes time that we don't have."

[Reno]

Molten blue eyes glared over his shoulder at Axel when he heard the comment and scoffed. "You would say so, jackass." Fucking jerk! He growled under his breath and if it wasn't for the calming waves he could actually feel from his brother, he probably would of decked the red-head right then and there.

But as they got to town, most of the anger faded away as they looked upon the town. Even Seifer seemed a little more downtrodden, looking at the village that must have once been grand but was now so down run it was amazing any of them had stayed.

That was when they met the spunky brunette. She was surprisingly upbeat for being in such a terrible situation; but Sora supposed some people had to be. Sometimes it was the only way to keep people together.
An elbow knocked Axel lightly again and Aqua sighed. "You know, you make a terrible leader." She told him plainly before she faced the brunette. "How about a trade then? We assist you, you assist us. I'm a waterbender, and I do know some healing techniques that might aid your wounded."
Terra glanced at her then nodded in agreement. "And what she can't take care of I can."
Seifer scoffed rolling his eyes. "We don't NEED help from you outsiders."
The bluette stared at him evenly, much like she would a misbehaving waterbending child. "You can say that easily, but you're fine. But the other villagers who are injured might not."
The blonde growled, crossing his arms and glaring at her stubbornly.

[Rikugurl]

"Enough! I don't know why you and Hayner refuse help. We need it!" The young girl spoke desperately before looking up at the bluette. "Thank you so much for the offer... it's a deal!"
She heard some complaints behind her and she glared at the blonde. "Ila and Enka are my eel hounds and I'll deal with them the way I please!" She barked, making the boy growl more. She looked back at the group and smiled, giving them a nod. "I am Olette and this is Seifer, Rajin and his adopted brother, Fujin. There are only three benders in this village and that would be Rajin, Fujin and Hayner. Two earthbenders and an airbender. It will be very helpful to have a waterbender to help aid us. Come on, I'll bring you to the wounded."

She pulled Aqua towards the house that was in use, glancing over her shoulder at the three. "You guys show the rest to Ila and Enka.
The blonde, named Seifer, still complained but the bleached boy only turned and started walking towards a small mountain path. "Come."

They made their way up the path and came to a dead end that held a large fence with two large green creatures in it. The gate was pulled and the group slowly walked in, looking up at the great beings. The boy, known as Fujin, pointed to the one on the right, "Ila," and then the one on the left, "Enka."
"Wow! They're so big!" Ventus smiled as he walked next to one, seeing it back away some before eating again. "There are so many fauna in his Kingdom!"

Inside the house, Olette led Aqua to a room with two beds and two boys laying on each. One was groaning while the other was playing with a ball. "The blonde one is Tidus and the redhead one is Wakka. They were playing on the beach when we were attacked." She pointed to Tidus's side and Aqua could clearly see the gashes in it as well as large, deep claw marks on his chest. She turned and Aqua could see the mangled leg Wakka had.

[Reno]

"Big? They're enormous!!" Soran said in wonder. They were more like large, wingless dragons, the creature's back arched and wide. One could easily carry half of them. He walked over to the dark green one, smiling up at her even though she seemed a little nervous at his presence. "Hey there Ila," He said fondly, unsure if it was just because she was named after the earth kingdom's last Avatar or not. He held out his hand in a peaceful gesture for her to sniff it.

Terra looked from one to the other, crossing his arms and humming gently. "Well... they look easy enough to handle."
"Hmph, I hope they throw you all off and strand you in the middle of the ocean." Seifer said.


Aqua's eyes saddened some, seeing the two boys but she nodded. "Alright I'll do my best. Do you any clean water?" The other nodded, "Alright, I need a bucket of it please."
She took a small wooden stool and sat it next to the boy who was groaning. "It's alright, you're going to be fine."
"He's just being all dramatic." Wakka, the red-head said, spinning the ball on his finger, seeming untethered by his own wounds. "Tidus is always like that. Give him a paper cut and he'll whine for days."
"Heh, well, that's a relief." She joked but she had a feeling some of his pain really was real.

Olette soon returned with the water setting it beside her. She nodded in thanks before lowering her hand and curling her fingers, forcing some of the water to slowly rise and cover her hand. She reached out with both hands, the water covering the second one as well placing them over the cuts on his leg as the water and her hand started to glow a mysterious blue color. Wakka rose an eyebrow and leaned over some to watch, his eyes widening some as he saw the gashes slowly closing. "That's radical!"

[Rikugurl]

A red eye rolled when he heard the bitter tone in the other's voice, shaking his head some. "Ila." He spoke softly, walking to the one Soran had become drawn to. "Strongest." He indicated before bending over to pick up a some flowers that grew near a rock. He placed them in Soran's hand and nodded up to the creature. Soran slowly offered his hand out again and the nervous Eel Hound slowly walked over, sniffing the flowers before carefully eating them. "She likes..." He smiled, gently petting her and quickly Soran followed suit.

"I guess we will be taking that one." Riku finally spoke, having been silent for most of the trip. "I think that now they are tamed, they will not be hard to handle. If they are Olette's, she can possibly talk to it before we head out to behave itself."


"Ah!" Olette gasped as she saw the wounds suddenly healing, finding it magical and wondrous. "It's.... it's a miracle! How... how did you do that?" They had placed salt water on the wounds so that they would dry and not get infected but... but nothing like that ever happened!
"Uuuuunnnn...." He boy groaned softly, his weary eyes looking down at his wounds slowly getting heal and--- "WOW! That's totally radical!" He called, breaking his acting instantly only to hear his other wounded friend chuckle and point out what he was saying. "Hey... it still really hurts!" The blonde pouted but when he looked up at his healer, he blushed instantly.

It wasn't very manly to complain, was it!?

"This creature kept clawing at my chest, like it wanted to... to get to my heart. I kept bashing it with my ball and it took awhile for it to explode like some of the others did. Another girl that plays with us though... I saw... I saw one clawing at her chest to and.... and she screamed and... suddenly disappeared. By the time Wakka and I got back to the village, everything was gone because the moon came out."
When Aqua questioned about clawing at the chest, Olette confirmed. "Yes, it's true. Fujin reported that he saw people disappear after those creatures clawed at their chest. I... I wonder if... if it's possible they are some sort of heart or soul stealer."

[Reno]

"She's wonderful." Soran said with a bright smile, feeling the scaled skin. He burst into laughter as Ila stuck out her tongue and gave him a lick across his face with her large tongue, the feeling very ticklish.
"So, why do you all need to go to the Fire Nation anyways? What's there for you, ya know?"
"We're looking for someone." Terra said vaguely, still studying the Eel-Hound. "Someone who is causing some trouble and needs to be stopped."
"Ah, so you're like... criminal hunters, ya know?"


"Some waterbenders have a gift of healing." Aqua told Olette with a smile, "In my tribe woman who are benders aren't permitted to fight, but are taught how to heal. If they show the gift for it they are taught further. I was one of them."
She looked over as Tidus stirred, then chuckled as he suddenly seemed quite alright. It seemed Wakka was right about his friend.

However as he started to take the account of what happened she became more serious, fetching more water to start healing the nearly deadly wounds on his chest. "I'm not certain but I do know that the one responsible for inflicting these creatures on us is a spirit." She responded softly. "I'm not sure why... a spirit would want the hearts of people though. I can't imagine what use it is to him."

[Rikugurl]

"Kind of." Ventus nodded some, watching Enka slowly walk over to the Avatar, licking him as well. "We want to---" He paused, looking up at Terra who gave him a glance and coughed a bit. "We want to teach him a lesson! He's kind of strong so we have benders of every element to help."
"Hahahaha, smooth~" Axel chuckled, making the young master blush. The tall firebender walked over to the Eel Hounds, checking them out carefully. He grabbed one by the tail, running his fingers over her scales. He continued to circle around them, inspecting them as if they were on the market. A red eye watched him carefully and frowned as she started to feel Enka's underbelly.

"Well, we can't take this one." He announced, making the two airbenders look over in concern before walking over. "Here, feel this." He took Soran's hand and shoved it under the fauna's belly, making him press hard on her abdomen. What Soran felt were large, hard bumps. Instantly, Soran became concerned and worried, asking if she was ill but Axel just shook his head. "No, idiot. Those are eggs. It seems like a lot of creatures in this place are in mating season." He spoke, sounding almost as intelligent as Terra. Of course Axel would know a thing or two about lizard like fauna, he had a dragon!


A hour or so passed and the group headed back to the village. Unfortunately, they bumped into Hayner again who didn't look any too happy that they were there. One thing led to another.... and Ventus with Soran had to hold back Roxas from taking on a fight. "This is not the time for this!" The brother called, hauling Roxas away from the taunting earthbender.

The door to the house opened and a man walked into the room with the two wounded and two woman. A fresh pail was water was placed by Aqua who was now working on Wakka's leg. When Aqua went to thank the fetcher, she looked up into a red eye and their gaze caught for a moment. The boy blushed and bowed his head some before turning and heading out of the room.
"Thank you Fujin!" Olette called before sighing softy. "So, you are going to leave tonight? Do you think that will be safe? There are many creatures out on the ocean and some are very dangerous. It could be more dangerous to cross during the night. I know you want to hurry but I'm not sure if it's worth risking. We have enough beds for you all to rest and there is a waterfall and fresh spring for you all to freshen up and bath."

[Reno]

Soran, like always, took the news with a great joy not even noticing the insult (though most of his friends sent Axel glares). "Really?! Congratulations Enka!" He chirped and held his arms wide, trying to hug her amazing girth. It was of course impossible, as he couldn't even stretch his arms far enough to reach from one leg to the other. But the creature turned its head and Sora was bowled over into Axel as he was given another massive lick.

He blinked as he sat in the dirt and grinned, laughing. Underneath him. Axel was grumbling before he shouted for the younger to GET OFF OF HIM!


As they wandered back to town, they were crossed paths with the first villager they had met that day. And Roxas, having been in a bad mood since the day began, had his temper riled for the last time as he started forward, drawing his swords and calling the boy out for a fight. He was just ready to let off some steam. As they shot insults back and forth, he only vaguely heard Seifer say, "Now this is a good fight to gamble on. What do you say carrot-top? Who do you want to win? I got some copper coins to bargain with."
Mercifully, he never heard Axel's answer as Hayner yelled out something that had his blood rushing in his ears. He wasn't sure he could have taken it if that jackass thought Hayner could get one over on him.

They never found out before his brother and Sora were jumping in the middle of things, doing their best to calm them both down. If Ventus had been anyone other than his brother, he never would of listened. But, either the blonde knew of their deeper connection and was able to calm him forcefully, or Roxas had better control than he thought since the blades were placed away and he allowed himself to be taken away.


Aqua breathed out slowly, her arms aching from holding them in the same position for so long. Wakka's leg was a complete waste. Had it been anyone but a waterbender tending to it, he probably would of even lost it. While she could heal the surface damage easily, the muscle of the damage she couldn't repair and it would have to be left to heal on it's own, and she could tell some feeling was going to be lost, but he would walk. She reached down about to call up more water but found the pail empty and frowned, about to call for Olette....

When a fresh bucket was set next to it, sloshing. "Ah tha-" She started and looked up and stopped. It wasn't Olette this time; it was the boy that gave her that uneasy feeling. A knot in her stomach that wasn't supposed to be there. The other, seemingly sigh, just bowed and hurried out.

She almost didn't even noticed Olette was talking but caught the most of it after her daze broke away. "Huh? Oh uh... well that does sound great..." She admitted. ""But... the decision isn't mine. It's Soran's. Though... it probably would be foolish to travel over the ocean at night..."

[Rikugurl]

OOC: I have a really cute idea if they stay~

"What? Really?" The redhead grinned, hearing the offer before glancing at the two who were about to dual. "I'll put my money on Roxas." But neither got any of the other's money for the two peaceful monks broke it up, leading them to the house where Aqua had been pulled into. Before they could walk in, the bleached hair boy hurried out, bumping into Ventus. "S-Sorry..." He apologized before heading back with the other. Green eyes watched him, seeing the blush on his face. "Poor guy... he must of met the princess~" He grinned again before walking inside with the rest of the group.

When they all came in, Olette got some chairs and object to sit on and happily learned that Enka was full of eggs. "Wondeful! The more Eel Hounds we have, the easier it will be to get supplies! Babies are always fun to ride on!" She giggled happily, knowing how much faster they were because of their small size. "That won't be for awhile though but at least it will give us all something to do and keep us occupied."
With some of the fresh water that Fujin brought in, Riku was quick to make some tea for everyone, handing it out to each of the members, along with Olette, Tidus and Wakka.

"So, as I was saying to Aqua, I don't think it would be wise or safe to journey during the night. There are a lot of dangerous creatures in the deep waters and it could become even more dangerous at night." Terra was about to open his mouth but Axel put his hand over it, speaking instead. "Though we have a pretty tight deadline, I'll have to agree. If we were going simply by air, it would not be a problem or even by boat but with a fauna, so close to the water and unable to truly have a grip on things, we could be asking for trouble. There are Serpent and other large creatures..."

Slowly he glanced at Aqua, seeing her still try to heal the boy, a soft blush on her cheeks. "And I also think there is something here that Aqua wants to keep an eye on~"
She quickly whipped around, snapping at him with a 'WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?'
"Hey! Hey! Calm down~ You know... watch to make sure the wounds fair nicely~"

[Reno]

Cheeks flushed, realizing she had been found out, and she huffed at her red-haired friend. "Idiot..." She grumbled tersely and turned back to her work, pointing out, "Well it doesn't matter what you say Axel. It's Soran's decision."
"Huh?!" Soran cried as suddenly all eyes were on him. His cheeks flushed. "W-Why me?!"
"You know why."

The brunette blinked opening and closing his mouth a few times before sighing. Right. "Wellll...." He tilted his head some thinking on it. "The ocean has shadows even in the best of light... going across it at night probably would be sealing our fates." He looked at Olette some, asking hesitantly, "But you are sure we won't be a burden, even for just one night?"
The other smiled and responded that it was quite alright. "Alright then... I guess we can stay the night... and head out first thing in the morning." He decided. Secretly he was hoping their was still something he could do for this town. Maybe in the darkness of night, he could find a solution for the missing townspeople. Or, if nothing else, give these unlucky teenagers some much needed protection.

"Hmph, oh joy, a whole night with those two blonde jackasses." Roxas mumbled sourly, wishing he had been given the chance to beat Hayner's ass.
"Well if you'd stop picking fights with everyone you meet like a two-year-old-" Terra spoke up.
"He started it!!"
And ignored him as he continued, "You might have a more pleasant social life."
"Hmph, like you're much better." Roxas grumbled under his breath, sipping his tea. He was getting into an utterly black mood. The day had been nothing but horrid since he woke up.

[Rikugurl]

It was agreed on that the party would stay for the night and head out at dawn. It was a good thing to for the evening wasn't far away. The sun passed over the shamble of a village and the forest around them brought shadows that did not attack... just yet.
A fire was made in the house that was still durable. Terra, Seifer and Rajin were the leads on making dinner while the others washed up. It was a hot day and with the labor all around, it would be nice to take a dip in the spring and river.

When the group left to followed their guide down the trail, the blonde warrior stopped to see that Axel was going the other way. Green eyes glanced back and the firebender waved some. "I'll be camping on the beach with Shesha tonight. Don't wait up." He said before heading down the trail back towards the beach. The rest of the group was led down a rocky passage in the woods, smelling the dampness yet fresh and crispness of the water. The group broke out and went their own separate ways to find a good stop or to get some privacy.

Two people headed the same way and undressed modestly, dipping into the water some while they cleaned up. It was the Avatar and Guardian and a few words were shared. However, when Soran dipped into the freezing water, his muscles relaxed and he easily started daydreaming. Riku chuckled, shaking his head some before pulling his hair up and tying it with some twine. He started to splash some of the cold water over his torso to get it use to the temperature. As he did so, he chuckled even more when Soran suddenly yelped and looked down, seeing a black creature slithering up his leg. "La really seems to like you."
Soran was shocked, glancing over at the guardian where he saw Yue swimming in the water.
"I couldn't leave without them... though I know how dangerous it is to of brought them... I cannot leave Yue... and Yue cannot leave La. I didn't have much of a choice."

As for another bald airbender, he was happily talking, trying to remember the days before the temple. He and his brother had a lot to catch up on and now was the perfect time! It would be relaxing and fun and---
"Roxas?" He blinked, looking behind him to see that his brother was gone. "Roxas?" He called again to the dark woods, frowning some but sensed no evil around the place; no disruption in the air. He had no idea that Roxas had left him long ago, heading down another trail.
"Well... I guess I'm all by myself." He sighed but quickly made his way down, finding a nice rock to sit on. It had been awhile since he meditated!

Further up where the spring began, there was a small waterfall that a quiet boy settled his things. His bleached hair stuck out with the surrounding colors but he didn't seem to mind as he started to pull at his shirt. He had no idea that curious eyes were watching him from afar as the shirt came up over his head and was placed on a nearby rock. Around his torso, tight bandages were in placed and fix but he didn't study them. Instead, he sat down on a rock and dipped a cloth in before running it over his bony shoulders and neck.

He did however pause when he heard the sound of wood snapping and he looked back, his red eye suddenly widening when he could see the outlines of the bluette. "A-aqua!?" He called a bit surprised, holding his washing cloth over his bandaged chest.

[Reno]

One leg was held aloft from the water, the airbender looking at La as he continued to move up his leg. He reached his hand out in offering and the snake started up his arm and around his shoulders. "I see..." Soran said with a smile. "Well then it will be a good chance for them to see the world."

He looked up when Riku pointed out they've probably already seen it since the world is full of ocean and the moon travels across the world. "Yes, that is true... but only the beaches of land and the time when the world is darkest." Sora responded thoughtfully before laughing as La crawled his body around him, the feeling more ticklish then when he had his clothes on.
"Though that does make me ask... where in the world were you keeping them?"

"Why do you always do that?" The voice came from the forest but as Axel looked back, he saw it was only Roxas stepping out of the sea of greenery and onto the beach. His arms crossed, frowning at the other critically. "You're offered a nice bed and some good company and you don't take it. You act like you would rather swallow salt water then be around people."

Aaaah... she understood now. Aqua gave a smile, the kind of smile she gave to team when they came into the library and she already knew everything but still wanted to have some fun. "Are you injured?" She asked easily, walking out and sitting down at the water's edge, looking up at 'him'. "I could heal you, you know."

[Rikugurl]

Riku tilted his head some, hearing the wise words before nodding. "I suppose you're right." He spoke softly, slipping his hand in the water to allow Yue to crawl up his arm. He, unlike Soran, was use to the feel of her on his bare arms. He washed up a few times in the surrounding oasis water. He glanced up, his glowing eyes reflecting the moon from the water and smiled. "In my clothes." He revealed, picking up his tunic from the rock besides him. He opened one of the large sleeves and showed him some secret pockets. "They coil around me when we travel. I customized this myself. My mother was a great seamstress."

There was some silence before Soran's mouth opened but Riku was quick to change the subject, not wishing to talk about the past tense word he used. "So... Sora, when you get to the Fire Nation... what will you do? How will you find the Spirit?"


Axel glanced back, his narrow eyes looking around in the forest before they caught the blonde stomping through. He frowned, hearing the tone it the boy's voice. "What is it to you?" He barked back, sitting down on a blanket he had sprawled out. "I'm not much of a people person... and besides, I have... some business to attend to." He growled softly before turning his head back to the fruit he was peeling.

Shesha extended her neck some as Roxas continued to walk over. "Aaaaarrrrrr...." Her tone had some hint of warning to it but she nuzzled him either way, enjoying the feel of her scales being pet.


"N-no." The boy shook his head, his body still tense even when she sat down and looked at him. Their eyes met and a deep blush ran over his face. "I'm.... alright." Quickly he sat back down, his back turned to her as he started to wet around his neck again. He tried to stay calm but he could still feel her eyes on him, making his heart want to burst from his chest.

[Reno]

Sora gave the silverette a look that made him know he noticed he had avoided the conversation but sighed and went ahead and let the topic change. "I don't know." He said plainly. "Ventus seems to think we might find him near a volcano... so I guess we're starting with those."

He gave a troubling frown and shook his head. "But even I don't know what he looks like. Koh told me I have nothing to worry about, that I'll recognize him instantly but... what if I don't?"


"Uh-huh, yeah sure." Came the disbelieving answer, Roxas obviously thinking he was lying. What business could he have to 'attend' to out on the beach?! He gave the red-head an even look, petting the dragon almost absent-mindedly. "You could of just said that and drop the whole 'high and mighty, I need no one' act." The other gave him a deep glare and snapped that's exactly what HE did. "Precisely, so shouldn't you take advice from someone who knows best?"


"Oh I see...." Aqua said with a mischievous smile, her hand waving the water in the river some before she lifted some of it up, letting it dance around her fingers. "Just... the injury of femaleness, huh?"