"It hasn't been done before," Mindy said simply. "So if we were united, it'd be pretty noticeable. If we were attacked, they'd expect us together, and plan ahead of time for that. Eventually, we'll be strong enough where it won't matter, but it'll be a long time. But who knows? Maybe things will change where that won't even matter."

She laid her head on Ruffnut's chest. "You know, we're not hiking so much as we're just lying here together."

Not that she minded.