The community at the cave's entrance wasn't what Grace expected.
She'd pictured desperate people clinging to survival, maybe some defensive fortifications, definitely a general air of doom and gloom. Instead, she found neat rows of houses, a market square with actual vendors, and people.
Sure, people going about their business with all the enthusiasm of watching paint dry, but people nevertheless.
"This is... normal?" Alia said, looking around.
"Relatively normal," Zephyr agreed.
"All the more reason to keep our guard up, ladies," Mara said.
A woman walked past carrying a basket of bread. She glanced at the angels, shrugged, and kept walking.
[That's new. Usually people at least gawk a little.]
"Welcome to Hollowtown," a man said, approaching them. Middle-aged, weathered face, expression flat as old beer. "Angels, I assume?"
"What gave it away?" Grace asked, trying to get a giggle out of him.
He gestured vaguely at their wings.
Grace blinked.
