S a l e t é I V

XXXVIII - Nichoir - Huit

There was something tremendously special about the presence of an adult who actually cared that Cassia couldn't deny. 

The hug that she had given Sabine wasn't the longest she had ever given someone, but she made sure it was a good one, the firm squeeze that she received in response renewing her earlier relief in a way that caused all of the day's grievances to melt away, if only for a short, sweet minute.

"It's good to see you again, sweetheart..." Sabine had said as she'd held her there, her hand rubbing softly at the back of her head as she remained close, her voice fair with a softness that suggested she was going through near identical motions in terms of a brief respite. 

Cassia was simply glad that the feeling was mutual, the young lady stroking one side of her face when she stepped back, the smile that she had waiting full to the brim with a real compassion.

"See? Told you she was fine, didn't I?" Chief said to her, the young woman giving him a quick glance, her gaze unable to leave Cassie for long.

Sabine looked tired.

Whilst she still possessed the sharper aura that Cassia had always thought of whenever she'd come to mind, complete with her work clothes, her neater hair and her smart looking glasses, numerous signs of wear had become visible across her demeanour. 

Her white shirt, usually clear and clean, was smudged with what could have either been dirt or soot. Creases were visible in much of her outfit, almost leading Cassia to believe that she'd been stuck wearing it for longer than she should have. Possibly even... 

No, she couldn't have been wearing the same clothes since that day, could she...? She lived up in the city, she had a home to return to.

The sight of the children had clearly been a cause for her to brighten up considerably, that reaction extended as Spears and Connie also came along, the remainder of the unrest occurring nearby almost fading into the background as their reunion was able to take place.

"I didn't think I'd be seeing any of you again, to be honest." Sabine confessed, her smile lasting all the while as she let out a small laugh. 

"I don't know the first thing about getting around Lower Merveille. If it wasn't for Doctor Macaire, I'd have been completely stumped."

"How is the doc? Is he alright?" Spears asked, Sabine taking a moment to greet him with a small hug of his own, the gesture one that she must have already given to the others.

"Yes! Yes, he's fine. It's been me, him and Édouard, uh, Mister Rutter, these past few days." Sabine was happy to reply, a small glow about her again as she shared the good news, shining through that apparent weariness.

"Rutter got away with only a few minor burns, somehow. He chalked it up to quick thinking. Me and Macaire are perfectly okay, but what about you?"

An immediate concern descended upon her as she swiftly moved the conversation so that it was about them, the questions she proceeded to ask clearly ones that she took very seriously.

"Are you all okay? Did anyone get hurt?"

The hope that Cassia had experienced as she'd become aware of Sabine's presence started to sink the minute that she heard such a question, a similar reaction occurring in Klavdiya. 

Even Monet was unable to answer right away, Spears and Captain observing them as they kept quiet, leaving Chief as the one reply.

"We're fine." He told Sabine, the answer true if they were only taking themselves into account as a six that day, Sabine giving a nod as more relief came to her.