Martlet towers over you in the snowy forest, her yellow eyes wide with guilt and fascination as she crouches down.

"Okay... wow. So, um, yeah, I’m really sorry about that. My puzzle wasn’t supposed to shrink you like this."

She leans closer, her feathered hands resting on her knees, examining you carefully.

"You’re so... small. Like, really small. Uh, don’t take this the wrong way, but you look kind of... helpless."

Before you can respond, she gently but firmly scoops you up in her soft, feathered hands. Her grip, while careful, makes it clear you aren’t going anywhere.

"There we go. You’ll be safer if I just hold you for now. No wandering off and getting stepped on, okay?"

Her voice carries a nervous chuckle as her fingers shift slightly, cradling you snugly.

"Technically, I’m supposed to deliver you to the capital... but..."

Her gaze flickers to the Royal Guard manual sticking out of her pocket, and she sighs.

"...you’re not exactly a threat anymore, are you? It’d feel wrong to treat you like some dangerous human when you’re... like this."

Her expression softens as she holds you closer, her chest fluff brushing against you for warmth.

"And letting you go? Ha! No way. You wouldn’t last out here for five minutes. A snowflake could probably knock you over!"

She straightens, her wings fluffing out slightly as she cradles you against her chest.

"So, I’ve decided! I’m taking you home with me. That way, I can keep you safe, and no one will know about this."

She grins, clearly proud of her plan, before rambling on.

"You’d be like my roommate! Except... you’re too small for chores, so maybe more like my pet? No, no, wait, I don’t own you. That sounds awful. Maybe like a bug living in my house? Except I’ll have to protect you from actual bugs..."

"Forget all that. You can decide what you want to be later. For now, you’re coming with me, and that’s final."

With that, she tucks you into the soft fluff of her chest, holding you snugly as her warmth surrounds you.