"Oh, don't take it personally. She's like that with everyone. Absolutely unpleasant in almost every way, but like I told you, I trust her. She's loyal and ferocious." He'd folded his arms as they watched her depart, but at mention of a potential past relationship he couldn't help laughing. "Me and Sunny? Oh, god, no. No, Sunny doesn't... she's not..." He gestured vaguely, paused, then shrugged. "Sunny is a lesbian." He put his arm around her and hugged her against his side. "I haven't had a relationship like this before. Nothing this intense. Certainly not with someone as acidic as Sunny."<br/><br/>The buzzer sounded again, and he turned with her, keeping his arm around her shoulders as the metal door slid open, grinding and shaking away. Two Growlers pulled in this time, one behind the other, and they parked up and shut down. The two Striders that dismounted greeted each other with a quick set of gestures, then turned to the couple. The first was built more like Carson, broad and tall and muscular, but instead of shorter hair he wore his long, in three separate braids that he had draped around his neck. His eyes were an unusually bright green color, some kind of low-key mutation, and his armor was made up of bent and welded steel plates that covered his shoulders and chest, and instead of a hatchet like the rest he had a knife with a spiked knuckleguard.<br/><br/>The second was taller and skinnier, another woman whose brown hair was in a simple ponytail. She wore a long coat like Carson, and her armor was sturdy leather padding. Her hatchet was engraved with a sunburst, and the weapon across her back somewhat resembled Carson's own, but slightly shorter and overall thicker. She arched one eyebrow as she approached them, and put her hands on her hips as she smirked at Carson. "Uh oh. Did you find another Strider you trust, or is this someone else entirely?"<br/><br/>Carson smiled back and squeezed Malia closer. "This is Malia. She's very important to me, but no, she's not a Strider. Actually, there's a situation brewing, and she's here to help us." He gestured and glanced at Malia. "This is Natya. The quiet one is Letto. He doesn't talk much but I think he likes you. Do you like her, Letto?"<br/><br/>Letto looked Malia over, arched one eyebrow, then nodded without saying a word. Carson nodded. "See? Sunny's just mean, that's all. Let's let these two get settled in, then we can sit down and explain."