[*CACKLES INTO THE WIND* >8D]
"Well, ya are intruding," Edd said with a glare, tapping the butt of the pitchfork against the ground menacingly. "Whaddya want?"
"Nothing but shelter from the rain," came a tired, but familiar voice--a voice that made Aysel stiffen and grab for a knife. It was a butter knife, but a knife nonetheless. She shot a wide-eyed look at Quinlan, hardly able to breathe.
Edd's eyes narrowed. "Lotta people out here wantin' shelter lately," he said, not budging an inch.
Gwen only sighed and braced her hand against the door frame, leaning heavily on a makeshift staff. She was tired, and sore, and one-hundred percent done with this damned night. Somewhere in the chaos, she'd been separated from Ceb, and she wasn't even sure if the idiot was still alive or not. She was frankly surprised she was still in one piece. "I understand I'm asking a lot, and if you're lacking room indoors, I only ask for a place in your barn. Just for a night. I'll be on my way by dawn."
"Oh, Edd!" Moira called, having stood up from her seat to get a look. She brushed her hands off on her apron and strode for the door. "Don't be so rude! You'd turn away an old, crippled lady? Oh, you poor dear, you look dreadful. Come! Come inside!"
Gwen's face tightened at the word "old" and a muscle in her jaw twitched--these people were older than her, and she was injured, not crippled!--but she let a slow breath out through her nose. "Thank you for your hospitality," she said, mustering up a smile as Edd grumbled and opened the door, mumbling about full houses and mud and damned strays. "I really appreciate it--"
And then as she stepped inside, using her makeshift staff to help her along and brushing wet hair from her eyes, her eyes landed on Quinlan and Aysel and she froze. "Oh. I see. I'm not your only guest."