S a l e t é I V

XXXV - Irrationalité - Neuf

Cassia wasn't about to rush to Monet in order to give her any kind of hug, the possibility that it would make the older girl feel even slightly weak somehow in front of the others making her mindful of trying to comfort her so directly so soon. Even so, there was no chance that she was going to let the rest of the day pass without taking her aside. 

That time could wait until they were back at the warehouse, and until everyone understood what had befallen them, when the initial pain had been given an opportunity to dull.

For now, she decided that the best thing she could do was to simply keep going. If she could appear strong, and meet everything that she had to do as best she could, perhaps Monet would have one less thing to worry about. 

She had a feeling that Monet would worry no matter what she did or said, but if she could just take the edge off of that... 

She and her friends watched as Sunshine had that quieter talk with the girl in red, the thoughts that she shared a mystery to them as they spoke apart from even the others in the circle. The factory lass moved over once she'd said what she'd wanted to say, returning to her own chair, after which she discreetly gestured for Cassia to join them, the younger miss rising to do so as soon as she was given the signal.

It was intimidating, but having Sleeves and Swoopy behind her, as well as Sunshine ahead of her, stopped her from faltering.

Chief had been in the middle of discussing the matters that were now facing them as she made her appearance, his expression immediately softening when he spotted her coming, the smile he gave her good enough for her to be able to give a fair one in return as she received his full attention.

"Heya, sweetie. You wanna come sit for a bit?" He asked her, making no attempt to sound soothing in the same way that he'd adjusted his gaze, the young man addressing her like he usually would have in a manner she appreciated - her desire to try and find some normality supported by it.

"Yes please... I, um... I wanted to tell everyone something, actually..."

There weren't enough chairs or stools left for all of them. Sleeves was content to sit down beside Shipshape again, the younger lad welcoming her back with a gentle nudge to the shoulder. Swoopy, naturally, ended up stood near Sunshine, more than happy to leave the seats to her elders. Chief, however, quickly gave up his chair for Cassia as he motioned for her to take it. She was somewhat guilty at first, his insistence the only reason that she was able to accept it.

It was as she took his seat that she got her first decent look at Monet.

The older Jouet was, in her eyes, very clearly making a concentrated effort to look unshaken. Cassie was able to recognise little details - small slips in her demeanour - that revealed things weren't quite aligning. 

Her lips were ever so slightly parted, her posture wasn't as sharp as it so often was, she hadn't tried to tidy her dress in any kind of way, her eyes were weary...

Such a disposition might have been entirely natural in their current circumstances, but that didn't make seeing her like that any less upsetting. More than anything, it was a nervousness that had her so rattled, a terrible uncertainty that she couldn't get any kind of hold on, no matter how she tried.

As much as she wanted to sit near her, Cassia didn't start moving her chair, not wanting to cause any kind of scene. She was opposite from her, which was better than nothing.

Chief, Gunner, Captain, Spears, Monet, as tired as she was... Having the eyes of all of the older children upon her shook her confidence. Sunshine was waiting with a patient warmth, her presence never failing to provide the encouragement that Cassie needed.