Meanwhile, thousands of miles from the Smoky Mountains, in Dallas.
At Gavin Manor, the Alliance's central headquarters, in the top-floor bedroom on the third floor that belonged to Gavin and Nikita.
Nikita held a stuffed toy, chuckling as she watched Winnie sitting on the bed with her knees drawn up and her hands wrapped around her feet, rocking back and forth like a wobble toy.
As Winnie rocked, worry lingered on her face. She pursed her lips and asked Nikita quietly.
"Niki, you still haven't answered me. What do you think would happen if I changed my hairstyle? Would short hair look good on me? Would it?"
As she asked, Winnie freed one hand from her feet and gently smoothed her hair.
Watching her, Nikita amusedly lifted her leg, which had grown a little plumper, and nudged Winnie's elbow with her toes.
"Kiddo, don't touch your hair with the hand you just rubbed your feet with. Aren't you worried about getting athlete's foot on your head?"
"Huh?!"
Winnie's whole face went blank. Then she gave a little huff, amusedly pulled her hand out of her hair, and grabbed Nikita's foot, teasing her.
"Don't make it sound so gross. Look at my feet. Take a good look! When have I ever had athlete's foot? My feet are nice and soft. Your old-lady feet can't compare!"
With that, Winnie scratched hard at Nikita's sole, making her laugh nonstop.
Only when she decided she had teased her enough did Winnie stop and release Nikita's foot, returning to her question.
"Okay, Niki, stop teasing me and answer my question."
"Do you think short hair would look good on me? Long hair feels like a nuisance. It gets in the way of training, and it's nothing new."
"Besides, I haven't cut my hair since the