[They feel and look like a mess, but they simply nod in quiet acceptance when he gestures to let them in. Once they're inside... some of the anxiety melts away, at least. They hug their arms to themselves, looking around idly as he locks up the door. They're safe here. They can trust Stan. They can trust him.

They can't trust anyone else, but they don't think about that part. Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it...]

It does make it difficult to be stealthy. [They huff a noise halfway between a laugh and a sigh, which is as close as they're gonna get right now. Distractions are fine. Their tree might as well be a Grove landmark...] It's a lot easier hiding during the day, anyway. A little too obvious once the stars come out.