we are not our failures, we are love

Sirius looked different in this light. He looked older than he had, even two years ago. Hazel still pictured him as the same man he was when he caught her trespassing, yes. She still saw him as that man, but she can see him as this one too. The Warlord raised this litter on his own, and that too, had aged him. It wasn't just time, but experience too. So many things had happened in the last few years. None of them stayed the same. Hazel wouldn't let the nostalgia take her in.

The Warlord's words don't come as a surprise. He wanted vengeance. Hell, Hazel did too. The Pirates had come at a time that was downright catastrophic last time, and it left her with a grim feeling in her stomach. This time would be different. The best defense was a good offense, and they'd strike on their own terms this time around. Hazel's expression was serious, giving a solitary nod. "Consider it done." With that, she turned on her heel and strode into the daylight. There was work to be done.

-- Exit Hazel, unless stopped --
"Speech"