By the looks of it they were close-knit, poor but not dishevelled, blonde hair faded and dirty; their skin uneven, patchy. The clothing wasn't better but somehow, Heather could sense… power… it was alarming. The male was in his thirties with a woman looking only a few years younger. What took Heather by surprise was their posture. It was too straight, too perfect. Their necks were too long, they were short but not round like a human. They had what none of them should have had. Poise.
Between them was a child. The child was between one and two. Capable of standing but not walking properly.
The male gave a meek smile and waved.
"Good evening, friend." His voice was deep, strong, it carried without needing to be raised.
Heather's started to reach for her sword but stopped.
"Good evening. How, may I ask, did you get up here?" She asked.
"The ladder under the trap door." He said simply.
Heather gaped. She thought the reason it had been called a safe zone was simply because there was no way of getting in without wings.
"Oh okay, we are the Merry Makers, er-" Heather stammered, wishing she had only a moment longer to think, only he didn't allow it.
"I know," He said cutting her off "we saw you in Lumber House, you were all incredible, I only wish we could have seen the whole show, I have little doubt the people of Lumber House will be talking about that for days to come."
"I thank you?" Heather trialled off there.
"It's Matthias, my wife's name is Merriam. My son, Judge."
"Judges are those who preside over human law?" Heather asked. Matthias brightened up.
"Yes, precisely. It seemed the appropriate name at the time. I'm surprised you'd know that few races find the time to learn outside their own cultures."
Heather shrugged. "It's a peculiar gift. I did consider being a diplomat but only for a minute. Dancing took control of my heart, which is why I dance now." Heather lied.
"Fascinating." Matthias said, scratching his head. "I remember vaguely having a passion outside of survival."
Lindi sat up, "How come you left Lumber House, it's a fact that one's natural home is the safest place to raise a family."
Matthias smiled warmly.
In that moment, looking into his eyes, he looked old; older than any person Heather had ever seen. His eyes had seen a world that made her travels insignificant.
"Not always, most border cities are danger zones, testimony to a race's ignorance to another's common sense. Though that story has little to do with us, only that our home is no safe place. Our home, as of now, is little more than a castle of death." He said, kissing his wife's temple.
Nomonda snored and rolled onto her stomach. She'd taken most of her clothing off to use as a pillow, Qondile had done the same, which was awkward. None looked close to waking. Heather closed Nomonda's wings to keep from being burned.
Lindi sat up.
"Castle? You had your own castle?"