"And why ever on Earth did you do that for, General Hadewig?"

"I don't know. I was defensive about her leaving, then I realized, 'Oh, she isn't a little kid anymore, she's not into war? Okay,' and...off she goes. You can lead a donkey...horse, whatever, to water, but you can't force it to drink."

"General Hadewig...who are we talking about?"

"Weren't you asking me about letting Ouberon go?"

"I just wanted to know why you punched a hole in your wall."

"Oh, wow! Have absolutely no idea who did that! We gotta get that fixed!"

"General, I watched you do it just now."

All the hours they had spent walking changed Ouberon's mind over and over. But she figured, she's already at the heart of it, and behind that door were answers and possibly some warmth.

"Okay, uh...before I let you in," Gwendolyn falters, digging in her pockets. "Don't say anything before they approve you."

"...Got it."

"Like you said! Nothing personal."

"Right, I understand."

I've got to be the biggest fool I know, Ouberon thinks to herself. I really hope this is something.

The moment that thought ended, they were both greeted by a slumped figure who picked at his bottom lip, cheeks guarded by tons of hair. Gwendolyn presents the beast her offering,

"Uh, Ouberon! This is our friend, Elaheh!"

Ouberon's lip tries the feel of the word, "Our" and purses back before the word leaves them.

Elaheh lifts an eyebrow that was begging to be trimmed and ceases lip-picking to say, "I thought Ouberon was a guy. Ouberon's a guy name."

"Can I ask why that matters?" Gwendolyn sings through her teeth.

"I dunno. Let her in. Vija's not home."

They trail behind Elaheh, entering the shack. Gwendolyn slams the door behind them, making Ouberon nearly jump through the roof and judging from its appearance, breaking it wouldn't need much effort.

Ouberon is startled again when a voice says, "We've honestly been looking at you for a long time, yeah." She spots the source, leaning against the wall. She'd be forgiven for a thinking he was a chameleon.

"I...do not know how to respond, sorry."

"Yeah, you don't have to, honestly. Me, Vija, and her saw you on the paper and decided you'd be a good 4th candidate, you know."

Ouberon fixes the sides of her mouth to duplicate Gwendolyn's leer. Falling back into a couch, Elaheh attempts to push back his grimace.

"Gwen, I oughta interview her."

"Sure thing! Do I have to leave?"

The words run across his lobe and he decides, "Actually, no, I'd get sad. Ouberon, do you consent?"

"What choice do I have?" Ouberon groans, and then she smiles. "Maybe it'll even be fun."

"That's the spirit!"

"Okay, Gwen, it's me and Ouberon now, so shush."

"Geez, okay."

Ouberon inspects the couch for a minute and throws all of her weight into it. "What do you want to know?"

"Okay," He lets the word drag on for a moment. "What we know about you— you're a general, 34 years—"

"35 years. And I haven't taken up Hadewig on her offer."

"I mean, yeah, okay, 35... and you're team Doyles. Is it right?"

"Yes."

"Am I allowed to ask if she kills people?"

The air drains itself of any sound for about 50 seconds. Ouberon's signature stone face now has shifted into a gape, Elaheh has moved on to bitting his upper lip and Gwendolyn's lips are trembling from smiling so much.

"Gwen...?! I'm asking for permission like you said!"

"Huh?"

"Can I ask if—can I ask her if she kills people?"

"Uh...sure thing!"

Ouberon jerks her head. "I don't like this."

"We gotta ask! Gwen wants me to ask...!"

"Look, Ouberon, this is for your own good! If we know, the organization will be able to cover you for war crimes!"

"War crimes?! You two are absolutely crazy!" Ouberon screams like a threatened animal, lip quivering as well. Elaheh presses closer.

"But that's only if you killed people! You gotta answer us!" 

"Also," Gwendolyn butts in. "Can you stop acting surprised? I've told you about this!"

"I'm not convinced!" Ouberon's bursting into tears at this point. "I'm not convinced and I left my only friend on...on..."

Elaheh and Gwendolyn pull back, lost on what to do or say. 

"I have no where to go, now...so you two know what? I'm gonna stay here... and die, or whatever! Fuck!" Ouberon spits, curling into fetal position.

With this, the remaining two step out into the cold to regroup.

"That was a total failure...well...lets choose another of those army ladies?" 

"No way, Elaheh. She was the key. It doesn't look like it now, but the Doyles are the most valued to the bossmen, and taking her away from Hadewig was gonna make them itch! That's where we'd get them!"

"...Yeah, but, honestly...she said something about not being able go back?"

"It's not just about capturing some girl! ...I can't explain it all now, but I know Vija will be able to straighten it out. It will work this time!"