"I do not pretend to be well-versed in such manners," Elle said honestly. "It is Fochiana who deals with the gods and their machinations. If you are of no threat to me then I do not see a need to treat you differently than anyone else, regardless of your rarity."<br/><br/>Coming from her it almost sounded like a compliment, and she seemed to regard him with a little more gentle respect considering his pain. Despite her resolve not to be impressed, she had obviously never seen such wings before and stared with due consideration. She took in the sight of them like a tactician, planning for their advantages and disadvantages. "I should think that, when not flying, they are an inconvenience. A strange gift, unless it is a curse."<br/><br/>She slowly undid the clasp on her cloak, pulling it off in the now mild temperature of the cave. She wore a deep, dusky blue shirt that showed her shoulders, and over it a leather guard that covered her entire torso from chest to navel. Her shirt was long and may have been a chemise before she tailored it to suit her practicality, and with the way her leather corset hugged her body the shirt flared out slightly at her hips. Her pants were an nondescript grey-brown and tucked into her boots, which were knee high and laced meticulously up her shins. The toes were scuffed and worn from use.<br/><br/>"If you were sent to protect," Elle said, folding her cloak and setting it beside her, "then why do you hunt bounties? Do your gods not provide for your needs while you are in their service?" Her lips twitched as if she might smile. "Perhaps you are cursed after all."