Ravensblood Forest the bigger they are, the harder they fall

Although it instinctually rubbed Pied the wrong way to hear someone speak ill of her leader, she said nothing in reply to Jinx's statement. Although she'd seen much more of Akhlut lately and he'd begun to redeem himself—and though she never planned to breathe a word about what she'd planned to do the day of her attack—she hadn't forgotten about his scarcity or its effects on her. Honestly, she was tempted to agree with the Kesuk, though she dared not admit this aloud for multiple reasons.

"You say that as if you think I blame you for this," Pied answered slowly to the Kesuk's latest remark. "You should know that I am, I guess, indifferent. Remember when you were injured and we talked of Akhlut then? You know I shared your worries, so it's not like I can hold everything against you just like that. Obviously, my loyalties lie with Akhlut still and you and I have a rocky history but... I don't wish you ill will, Jinx, for what's happened. Actually, I..." She hesitated, then laughed as if to herself, then finished, "I hope you find happiness there and that your flaky days are behind you." An almost impish gleam shone in her eye at the word flaky, as winking would be taking it a bit too far.

"Well," Pied said in the next beat, "I'm glad I got your side of the story; I always would've wondered if I hadn't. It looks like our paths divide here." As she gave voice to her earlier thought, she felt a strange pang, almost like she'd miss Jinx. She was even tempted to call some sort of truce. It made her a little uncomfortable and she didn't voice either sentiment. "I guess this is farewell?" she said instead, a bit awkwardly, feeling as if she was dismissing Jinx but unsure of what to say or do next. They really had reached the end of the line.