"About our meeting - what do you mean, no?" Orien knows she shouldn't be listening, but she can't tear herself away from the position at the top of the stairs. Her uncle's angry voice is clearly audible. "I am not carrying a message," says the other person, at a more normal volume. Orien listens closely. "I would -" "Then you can get out! I don't have time for idle chat!" And Orien only just has time to whisk out of sight as her uncle shoos an unfamiliar Unfledged man out of the house. "Uncle..." she says, trying to look like she has only just arrived on the scene, "who was that?" "None of your business, girl," Berik says dismissively. "Just one of those wretched Unfledged. With the most ridiculously long hair I've ever seen. It's indecent!" He scowls at her. "Are you still spending time with that Unfledged boy? About time you made some proper friends."