Albert nodded slightly at Caesar's observation, carefully flexing his wings. "It's a paralyzing pain," he whispered raggedly, wincing and ceasing the needless movement. "They reset the bones, but it's very-- different." He remembered staring at the wall after his wings had been examined the first time; how he had tried to reason out why it hurt so much, why it felt like he was going to die every time they pulled on the feathered appendages.

He opened his eyes, glancing at the younger man. "Don't let anyone hurt your wings. Just ... don't."

Now he could see that they were already in the village, moving slowly towards the community housing. He sighed and wished his stomach would stop hurting; having never been without regular meals, he did not know that he was lucky to not be past the point of stomach pains and into the dull ache of severe starvation.