Gianna hardly ever knew when to keep her mouth shut, but this time, she kept her mouth shut. This woman saw something in her? Promise? Potential? What could that mean for Gi? Power? Wealth? She didn’t like it right now, but she could stomach any means to the end she craved, couldn’t she?

The young woman averted her eyes from Tallis, making no promises, only waiting for what would come next for her.

If there’d been an illusion of choice before, Tallis had mentally retracted it. No, she’d changed her mind: Gianna was a rare find that she’d captured. Better htan that: she was a stray who none would come looking for. Gianna would either be an asset or a disposable disappointment. There was nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Besides…Tallis saw a shimmer of herself reflected in the rude little girl. She didn’t understand just what it was yet, but it was enough to summon a sisterly—almost motherly—look in her eyes.

“Get dressed and we’ll send for the carriage,” Tallis said with a wave of her hand, "Tomorrow, we'll get you some new clothes and essentials." She’d start to pack up her things, keeping one eye on Gianna. The girl was still a flight risk, and Tallis wouldn’t forget that until thoroughly proven otherwise.

Gianna felt judged. There was something about the way the woman before her looked down on her that was both frustrating and inspiring. She couldn’t decide whether she wanted to curl in on herself or do something impressive.

“I can barely walk,” Gianna pointed out flatly, lifting a finger she wished was manicured to point at her ankle.

Tallis smiled broadly. Once she’d decided she was in a good mood—a mood that could certainly cut both ways—there was nothing that would deter her. Tallis shrugged.

“My husband will see that you’re taken care of. He’s…uniquely suited to such things. Until then, you’ll have to tough it out, I’m afraid.” Tallis winked at Gianna before clasping her bag shut with finality an denthusiasm.

Gianna held her tongue, though she thought of some nasty things to say (things that likely wouldn’t come close to breaking this cold woman’s skin). Instead she only glared as she removed herself from the bed, wincing and sucking in air as she applied weight to the ankle. She needed a crutch at least, but she knew she wasn’t getting help here.

“Fine.” She muttered, quietly enough to not be heard. “See if I do a damn thing for you then.” She was headed out.

Tallis snorted with a single laugh as she scribbled a note that she left on the dresser, instructing Cezar that she’d be returning to the ranch and for him to meet her there. With a flourish, Tallis turned to the hobbling Gianna and attempted to scoop the girl up to cradle her as she would a newborn foal. Ranch work had made her strong and sturdy, enough to carry this little bird so long as she didn’t squirm too much.

At first, when a grip claimed Gianna, she thought the woman had changed her mind and was attacking. Not trained in the art of anything, Gianna yelped in surprise and crumbled in on herself, knowing the shoulders could take the most blows, raising her hands to protect her head. Instead of finding herself being attacked, however, she was shocked to suddenly be carried.

Gi drew her hands to her chest and tried to move very little.

“Well…” she huffed softly, tempted to say thank you but too prideful to shape the words.

Once Tallis was content that Gianna wasn't going to fight for freedom, she held the girl more gently. She was lighter than she'd expected, though it was not surprising she supposed, given the girl's circumstances. But it wasn't pity that had her cradling Gianna close as if she were her mother, not her captor. It was that moment of hesitance she'd shown before being unable to summon the word "gifted" to her tongue. Whether it was out of fear, shame, or something else it didn't matter. The moment lingered in Tallis's mind like something bitter she'd swallowed and couldn't rid herself of the taste.

"You just hang tight," Tallis said, "Let me do the talking." She'd knock the door handle open with her elbow and make her way down the stairs, taking care to ensure that Gianna's feet didn't knock anything. Once out the back door, she'd signal one of the waiting carriages and amiably make some excuse as to Gianna's condition.

So long as Gianna did not protest, the driver would open the door and Tallis would lift her inside.

"Easy does it..." She'd lay Gianna longways on one of the bench seats and prop up her foot with a cushion.

Gianna wasn’t often good at keeping her mouth shut, but something about her current situation kept it closed. Her cheeks colored as Tallis carried her down the stairs, possessing the strength of a man from where Gianna sat. It would have been rather heroic if she’s been male. Her brown eyes flickered to the woman’s face, noticing that it wasn’t particularly feminine. Her blush deepened and her eyes lurched away as she tucked her chin into her chest. She wouldn’t look up again, not until she was set into the carriage.

“Thank you.” The words left her mouth irritably. How noble of this woman to care for her now, after inflicting the initial wound. “I could have become a paperweight to make this whole process easier…” she muttered, only loudly enough for Tallis to catch a few words.

No, Tallis didn’t hear the words Gianna mumbled—not a one. It was the girl’s tone that caught her ear and made her chuckle lowly. The little fox, caught in a snare, still thought it worthwhile to nip at the hunter. It made her smile so that the apples of her cheeks bunched up to crinkle the corners of her eyes.

“Go ahead and grumble,” Tallis teased, smacking the hood of the carriage twice before shutting the door and dropping down across from her. The carriage started to bounce as it got underway. “You might hate me now, but that’s fine—it’ll be worth it in the end,” Tallis looked at her with a smile, head tilted to the side, “Once you know what I do, it’ll be worth it.” She looked for a moment more, then sighed, crossing her legs and leaning her head back as if settling in for a nap.

Gianna, clearly the lesser individual in this exchange, found it hard to meet the woman’s gaze. She was curious but didn’t want to be, and she wanted to know more but wouldn’t ask. It wasn’t patience that made her hold her tongue, but pride. A deep frown found a home on her face as she cast her eyes out the window, taking greatly feigned fascination with whatever it was they were passing. She would let the woman sleep. Eventually she’d discover what all this was about.