Evie scowled at the remark as she hauled herself to her feet. She brushed the dirt off her sleeves and ran her fingers through her hair. "Do you blame her? Stuck like this? Ignored by people who could help her, because of who her parents are?" Her words were sharp, personal experience coloring them without her realizing it. The only thing missing from this place was a magical barrier keeping the people who couldn't use magic stuck in one area.

Evie followed Guts' gaze as she made her way back to him. She glanced down at the slight movement below his cloak. Much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't feeling as confident as she had been. Not that she let that insecurity show. She was a VK.

"We'll be back later," she said, nodding to him. "Maybe if she sees us helping others, she'll be more willing to give us a chance." That was the closest she would get to admitting he'd been right in the first place.

She started to walk ahead, then checked her stride to keep even with Guts. "Did you know she'd pull something?"