"I don't know their sizes." The housemother answers. "Whenever we get anything, it goes onto whomever can fit it.
 
"Actually that is something I wanted to ask you. Do you need someone to drive the bus? I've driven a school bus."
 
Jeanette Isabelle

Note: what Tonya said was hear say, so many would believe they were cursed. You even established that it is widely believed as a fact. So the people around even if they didn't believe it would at least know of it and be suspicious of them.

Hondo: you don't actually believe that girl is cursed, do you?
 
Tonya: No. There was a blacked winged Haibane at the school we went to. She worked there as an overseer.
 
Zoey: She was a mean! She beat me and didn't let me eat for a week for helping a friend of mine with their chores when they were sick! I hated her!
 
Tonya: most of us did. It could be how she was brought up, but there was no kindness in her. I have met a couple others but they were bad luck.
 
Hondo: Reckon I don't believe in luck or curses or the like. I'd like to hear more about the mutants, though.
 
Tonya: afraid I can't tell you much more. Mutants are a lot different from wessen, though some wessen keep to themselves most of us trust each other, or used to. Mutants have so many different categories and are so random . . .they don't trust each other. You'd have to find someone who has known mutants better to find anything else out.
 
Hondo: I understand. Now, if that girl with the wings gets in with our group, not that we really need more people but I have a feeling Moro is bringing here with, damned spirit bitch, but I don't want any of this unlucky or cursed talk to come out of you two around her. be nice to her.
 
Zoey: we don't have to be friends with her, do we?
 
Hondo: Comin' from someone who has not had a lot of friends, who wants friends, and knows how it feels to be hurt or treated badly because she is different thats somethin' you shouldn't have to ask.
 
Zoey: Sorry. I didn't mean . . .I . .
 
Hondo: It's alright. I'm not gonna force you to be friends with her but she is probably lonely. befriending her is a little kindness that may mean a lot to her. I know we have other things on our minds.
 
Zoey: Moma...
 
Hondo: I'm not upset with you, know that. We all have a lot on us for now. I do ask that you say nothing about your mother to anyone.
 
Tonya & Zoey: Ok
 
Hondo: At least be nice, polite and give the girl a chance. But I also need you two ready to go at any moment. Keep your backpacks  
 I gave you packed. I have a list of stuff you need to put in them. This setup is a survival pack. Never know when we may need them. We may hafta break off from the group.
 
Tonya: why?
 
Hondo: too many innocent folks who can't take care of themselves, too many who can but its not their fight, and I'm sure most don't care. If I could keep you two away I'd . . .
 
Zoey: NO! WE CAN"T LOOSE YOU TOO!
 
Hondo: Settle down, little one. You won't loose me. Trust this, no matter what happens I'll be back.
 
Zoey: But what if you die!?
 
Hondo: I'll be back.
 
Tonya: How can you . . .? that doesn't make sense.
 
Hondo: I have told you both before I can't always explain things to you. I just need your trust and obedience.  
 
Tonya sighed: It doesn't make sense but you have my trust. Will you explain it to me someday, though?
 
Hondo: When I think you are ready.
 
Zoey: me too?
 
Hondo: you too.
 
Tonya mulled it all over. Zoey was young enough that she just wanted to trust her new dad and believe he would always come back. Tonya wanted to believe too but she knew that sometimes people don't come back. Was he just trying to calm them or was there more. his eyes said there was more when he asked them to trust him. Tonya knew her schooling was lacking but something just didn't seem textbook about Hondo.
 
Hondo gave them their list and they started packing some stuff. Hondo finished his whiskey and went to the fridge. He opened it and stared at the contents. Leftovers inside reminded him of Val. He shut the door and opened the cupboard, it was arranged how she wanted it. He remembered when he first stocked the rig and she came in and redid everything to fit her as she usually cooked. There wasn't anything in his life anymore that didn't remind him of her in some way or bring up a memory. He leaned over the sink for a moment pulling he head together. He had to be strong for Val and the girls but had to keep from going into full out war mode as he didn't want to hurt the girls, so instead of keeping the pain at bay with anger as he used to be able to do he now had to endure it. Val might be a nigh immortal but the nigh part meant he could still loose her. Who took her, why did they want her, and where was she??
 
A knock at the door brought him back to reality.  He didn't realize how bad he looked at the moment. his eyes were bloodshot from stress, he was tired and looked worn out, he smelled like sweat and whisky, and his clothes were dusty and wind blown from the motorcycle ride earlier. He walked to the door and the girls came out of the bedroom and up to right behind him as he looked out the window.
 
Tonya: Who is it?
 
Hondo: Fernando and the General.
 
Zoey: You think they found Momma?!
 
Hondo: I don't think so.
 
Hondo opened the door and stepped out the girls stood in the door way behind him.
 
Hondo: Jefe. . . General.. .
 
Jastrey: Mr. er.  .I never got your last name.
 
Hondo: Just Hondo will do.
 
Jastrey: After all you two have done for us I'll not argue about that . . .are you alright?
 
Hondo: as can be expected.
 
Jastrey: How you girls doing?
 
Jastrey looked past Hondo at the door where he knew Tonya and Zoey were standing.
 
Tonya: We are alright, Ma'am. Just want our Mom back.
 
Jastrey: I know it has to be rough on you two to just get a family then have this happen. I . .I am sorry this happened to you folks. If I can do anything.
 
Hondo: Besides bringin' Valentine back there isn't anything else you or anyone else can do.
 
Fernando: That's what we want to discuss.
 
Hondo: Oh?
 
Jastrey: We are having a big meal here and want you and your girls to join us. I know it will delay your travels an hour or so but if you would join us Myself and some of my men, hand choosen by me, will accompany you.  
 
Hondo: I appreciate the offer but this isn't your fight. It's mine.
 
Jastrey: and this towns slave issues wasn't your fight either.
 
Hondo: No, it was all man, mutant, and wessen kinds fight.  
 
Jastrey: Yes, of which we failed until you two came along.  
 
Hondo: I don't ask for payment for what I do so ifin ya feel y'all owe us just forget it.
 
Jastrey: No. This isn't payment. I am offering this because I want to help.maybe my contacts and such in fight town will do us no good but maybe just maybe we can find something to get ahead of these bastards and knock them down to size! It's a gamble, I know but its the best I can offer.
 
Hondo: Jefe, your thoughts?
 
To be continued . . . .

All this surprises the housemother. "I don't know what to say, Lieutenant. All of the younger children have a coat, not that they'll need it right now. Both Jade and Denver will need a wing brush and their clothing will need wing slits.
 
"Before any of us put on clean clothes, we'll need a shower."
 
Jeanette Isabelle

Hondo: I can't say I'm happy with it, but if you think they can help. . . .If it was just me, but now I have the girls. . .I don't want to endanger anyone else. . . wish you weren't involved either, Jefe. You have a little one that needs you too.
 
Hondo rubbed his jaw. He looked worried, on top of everything else. He looked at them then turned to the girls  for a second then back to them.
 
Jastrey: I've lost people I care about too in all this, not just soldiers, but friends and family too.
 
Hondo sighed and nodded.
 
Hondo: Alright. . .But ifin y'all are gonna join us I want to ask one, no two favors.
 
Jastrey: ask.
 
Hondo: When I am not with them I want your best men guarding my girls.
 
Tonya: Dad, we'll be fine.
 
Hondo snapped: I said trust me! If you can't do that show me some respect at least.
 
He didn't mean to snap and though Tonya was taken back a bit she knew he was under a lot of stress and held her tongue.
 
Hondo: Sorry.
 
Jastrey: You're under a lot of stress. it's understandable. I will make sure they are alright. When I'm not busy I'll make sure personally that they are safe.  
 
Hondo: good.
 
Jastrey: Whats the second favor?
 
Hondo: If things go bad get them out of there and try to make this stubborn hombre go with you.
 
Fernando: I promised you we would get her back, and you know I don't leave a friend behind.
 
Hondo: If things go south you must leave me behind, for Val and the girls sake. and I need you to protect them for me, Jefe, if I can't. and finish it without me if I fail. Jefe, I have no one else I can trust with this.
 
Fernando: We will all make it.
 
Hondo: Just promise me if things go bad.
 
Fernando: You will be there to take care of them yourself.
 
Hondo: Just humor me, please.
 
Fernando: You know you don't have ask things like this.
 
Hondo: I just needed to hear it from you.
 
Jastrey: If it comes down to it the girls will be my number one priority. About him, (Jastrey looks at Fernando), I'll do what I can.
 
Hondo: That's all I can ask. Now, I know the others will find out soon, but I'd rather keep it as quiet as possible. The less they know the better. I still don't trust those spirits, Ruth, the girls and the little boys have gone through enough, and Jeanette, well, lets just say I'm not sure she can handle this sort of thing anymore. I know you and her are co leaders, Jefe, but I'd rather go it alone than to trust her with this info or take her advice on what to do. Her head isn't in this an' I'm not sure she was cut out for this kinda thing anyway.
 
Jastrey: Are any of us truly cut out for this sort of thing?
 
Hondo: No. . .but some of us can handle it better than others. . . Thanks, both of ya. . . Don't have much to offer but how about a drink?
 
Fernando: Later. We have more planning to do, but for now.
 
Hondo: I understand.
 
Jastrey: I'll have to pass for now too. . . Be careful with that stuff. I lost a son to it. He tried to drink away a loss too.
 
Hondo: No offense, Ma'am, but I'm not drinkin' away anythin'. Just need to numb some things I don't have time to deal with currently.
 
Jastrey: Understand. We will talk later then. I must get back and check on preparations and add a few new things to the list. If you will excuse me.
 
Hondo nodded: Ma'am.
 
Jastrey walked away. Fernando lingered by for a second.
 
Fernando: They will pay and you will walk out of there.
 
Hondo: Don't worry, Jefe. I'm not suicidal. I just need to know some things are set in case. It helps me focus better on what I need to.