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"And I'm sorry to be the one to tell you. ...But I'm glad you know, too," Em said softly, hearing the whimper that fought to escape between her words and wishing that this island didn't hold so much heartbreak. "It's one thing to be trapped here... but quite another to be forced to live under a sky of lies."

Emelyn followed Cassidy to the earth, kneeling on the dark ground near the tree. There was a moment of silence where she finally reached out, and put a hand on the scaly skin that comprised Cassidy's long, muscular rope of a body, hoping that it wouldn't put her off.

"No offense," Emelyn said, glad to feel the squeeze, "but I do think that your situation is... awful in its uniqueness. No hands." Emelyn flexed her fingers across the greening expanse of what could no longer be called Cassidy's 'skin', and watched those five digits move... with a poignant realization and regret.

"I can't even imagine. But... maybe... you and Greer will have something else in common. It looks like that sprout of plumage you had is turning into... well.... wings."

"I hope you both can. ...Sort of a... service paid for everything they've cost you. I would think they'd try as hard as possible to give you flight. After all- it's not like you'd ever be able to 'fly to shore'. ...It would be... wonderful to fly." In a way, Emelyn envied her- but not enough, with all the other pains and trials in Cassidy's life- to mention it, and risk belittling all she was going through.

The corners of Emelyn's mouth rose in mirth. "Contrary to popular belief, I miss all the 'dumping' and the company. I'm lucky these days if I come across two or three people a week. Frankly, unless you were trying to kill me, I'd be ecstatic to see you no matter what you said or did. Particularly you. ...And by the way- thank you wanting to return the shirt. It's so sweet of you. But there's no way I could get it on these days. So you can either trash it or keep it." She tugged at a strap on her bikini.

Em nodded. "If I'd gone back to the village after the lockout, I would have put all my clothes up for grabs as well. ...Hey, if you ever get bored one day, you can go throw all my clothes out into the street," Em laughed. But all that talk about clothing made her think.

"Actually..." she said, considering, "I'm sorry to ask, but is there any way you could do me a favor? ...I've been wearing this white bikini top for weeks, and even though I wash it all the time, it's getting a little grubby. Is there any way you could find me some more? Or you could just bring me a sewing kit and a pair of scissors- I could make some of my own out of the shirts I brought out here. ...I'm sorry to ask- feel more than free to say no, especially if it's too much work for you to get out here." She didn't know how comfortable it was for Cass to travel at the state she was at- what with her long, snakey body and what appeared to be the useless, hanging stumps of what used to be her legs.

"Whew. Thank you so much. You are such a lifesaver. I can't imagine living much longer with this nasty thing. Now the big question... can this form stand a hug?" She'd been wondering it since she'd first seen Cassidy, and now that she sensed they were parting, it was the primary thing on her mind.

Without words- for none were needed- Emelyn wrapped her arms around the very inhuman prison... of one of the most human souls she'd ever known.