Shadewood integrity, faith and crocodile tears

It wasn't just indecision that rooted Bat to the spot as the other two began to move, apparently setting off on this impromptu trip right this very second. It was also honest to goodness perplexity. Was it standard to force a recruit to accompany them on some sort of trek with absolutely no context up front? If it was, Bat was glad she didn't actually seek to join this pack. That was a bit too much cloak and dagger for her... and she was training, subtly, to become a rogue.

"Ah," she blurted as they began to disembark, clearly expecting her to follow. It occurred to her, in that very moment, that they might be on to her, suspect of her motivations. How could that possibly be? Bat wracked her brain and could come up with nothing other than the name, which was the world's weakest evidence. Maybe they could read minds or possessed some other unfathomable superpowers? She couldn't guess.

But right then and there, she knew the jig was up. It was a mission: incomplete. Although disappointed, Bat silently reminded herself that it was still a good experience. She'd definitely learned something in this first abortive attempt to sneak her way into a pack. She would definitely have to try again, somewhere else, probably after she hashed out the details with Tegan...

"On second thought, this doesn't feel like a good fit," the juvenile eventually said, one slender shoulder blade rising and dropping in a simulation of a sheepish shrug. "Uh," she hemmed awkwardly in the next breath, "thanks for your time." I guess... Bat turned to go.