Round 5 Transcript

The tension in Julia's apartment building exterior tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

Halie steps between Jeane and Julia, her hand firm but gentle on Jeane's arm as she addresses the group. Her voice is soft but carries authority. "This isn't working," Halie says, looking at each woman in turn—Silra tense by the wall, Hera trying to defuse things with forced cheerfulness, Abby shrinking back. "We're going to attract attention we can't afford if we stay here much longer." She turns to Julia, her expression kind but serious. "Julia, I'm so sorry for startling you. We truly didn't mean any harm. But this—this street is too exposed now. If we want to talk properly, without causing more panic or drawing the wrong kind of attention, we need privacy."

Halie glances at Silra's coiled stance and Hera's worried expression before continuing, "I understand why you're upset, Jeane, but we can't afford a scene that might bring authorities or rival groups here. Julia deserves better than to be scared in front of her neighbors." She takes a steadying breath. "Let's walk down to that coffee shop two blocks away—I'll stay here with Julia if she's willing to talk for just a few minutes while you all go ahead and secure somewhere we can regroup privately."

Her eyes meet Jeane's, conveying her seriousness through the gentle tone. "This isn't working as it stands. We need a new plan before someone calls the cops or worse."

Halie's words cut through my rising frustration with the precision of a scalpel—I hate this, hate being forced into retreat, but I can't deny the logic. The grocer across the street is still staring, phone out like they're ready to document us for whatever gossip rag pays for 'suspicious cultist activity spotted in residential neighborhood.' My wings shift restlessly beneath my cloak and I force myself to take a slow breath. "We don't have time to debate this," I snap, though it comes out less harsh than intended. "Fine. We'll regroup at the coffee shop Halie mentioned." I fix Julia with a hard stare. "But you understand we're not giving up on this conversation? We'll be back—all of us—to finish what we started properly."

I step back, letting Halie move into position between me and our frightened target. The Cleric can handle things here; she has the gentle touch I seem to lack right now, even as anger simmers beneath my skin at having to walk away from such a promising recruit with half the neighborhood watching. "Silra," I snap, gesturing for her to follow Hera and me down the street. "Abby, you come too—we need to strategize before we reapproach Julia." Without waiting for confirmation, I turn on my heel and stride away from the apartment building, my wings making it clear even under the cloak that something... unnatural just passed through this neighborhood. The grocer's stare burns against my back as we walk, but I keep my pace measured—rushing would only confirm their suspicions. Once we're a safe distance down the street, I risk a glance back to ensure Halie and Julia aren't being followed or observed too closely. The Cleric has already started talking in that soft voice of hers, gradually coaxing our terrified potential recruit into some semblance of conversation. Good. She can at least salvage this disaster while Silra and I figure out how to approach again without attracting more attention than we've already managed to generate.