The beach was empty, at least near the foot of the bleached wooden stairs they took down to the sand.

"You know," Teige said, through a mouthful of hot dog, "Back on Earth, I was all for us goblins revealing ourselves to the humans. And living alongside them, and alla that." He hefted their now shared messenger bag off his shoulder and over his head, and then said dryly, "But I'd be lying through my teeth if I said this little field trip wasn't challenging me worldview some."

Hawk ignored him, wolfing down the last of his own lunch, taking a look at the sky. Teige watched him shuffle his wings about, frowning.

"Now, I wasn't going t'ask, since it ent really my business," he said after a moment, "But why�don't�you ever put your wings away?"

Hawk took the bait and whipped round to stare at him, nonplussed.

"You know," Teige said again, when Hawk didn't answer, "Transform 'em away, like. All I'm saying is we've got lucky so far," he added hastily, holding up his hands, as Hawk started towards him. "Not having any trouble since we left Port Siena. But--"

"I can't," Hawk interrupted, and plucked the strap of the messenger bag out of Teige's hand.