S a l e t é I V

XXXIX - Sanctuaire - Un

Their meeting with Fiacre may have been brief, cut short by the duties he had been involved in before they'd arrived, but - on top of everything else that had transpired that day - they had a great deal to discuss upon returning to the factory, a great sense of purpose carrying Cassia and Klavdiya back through the reaches of Lower Merveille. 

Klavdiya had been unable to mask how worn out she had been by the time they made it back, though that didn't mean that she was complaining, the girl uttering nothing in the way of even the slightest grievance.

They'd made the decision to head back when they had mostly for her sake, Cassia looking forward to taking some weight off herself. Monet hadn't wanted to push their luck any further than they had already, whilst the boys had decided that they could always head out again later if they wanted to try finding anything else. 

Having the old street right on their doorstep really must have been convenient, Cassia only considering just how much so as they made their trip back together.

Gunner had spotted them coming from whichever vantage point he'd stationed himself at further up in the building, the sight of its aged form one that Cassie appreciated more than ever. Naturally, the news of their arrival had whipped the others into a frenzy, ensuring that Sleeves, Shipshape and Sweets were all rushing outside to meet them by the time they were getting over the gap in the wall.

"It's about time! You've been gone for ages!"

"How was it? Did you hear anything decent?"

"You didn't get in trouble, did you?"

"Hold your horses, let's get inside first, yeah?" Chief replied, motioning for everyone to calm down as he made it across. 

Thankfully, a hug wasn't something that required anything in the way of noise, and so Cassia was still free to receive one from Sleeves, the same affection soon extended to Klavdiya too.

"Hey, make yourself useful and go make us some drinks." Spears said to the long armed girl, ruffling up her hair in a manner that had her looking most displeased.

"Fine. But only because you've been away for so long!"

Sleeves reluctantly went on ahead of them, reaching Captain's door before anyone else in their little welcome home party, Sweets walking alongside Chief now as she held his hand. If getting back wasn't good enough, returning to them all was what truly made it special, the thought of the others still waiting inside meaning that the feeling had yet to fade.

Sunshine, Swoopy, Taya, Zisel - everyone was soon back indoors and within reach of the familiar circles of candlelight, the most recognisable circle of them all hosting many of them, Taya playing nearby. Even from a distance, Cassia could hear Zisel asking Sunshine if everyone was back and back safely, relief only coming to her once she'd received confirmation from the teenager who had stuck by her side.

Seeing them all again was like a genuine breath of fresh air.

"Klavdiya, come and sit down, sweetheart." Sunshine said, an almost maternal side shining through first and foremost. 

She and Swoopy had prepared a chair with a big cushion for her from upstairs, whilst similar arrangements had been made for the others, Shipshape ushering Cassia over towards hers with an attentiveness she was soon deeply fond of.

"Here you go, miss." 

"Thank you." She replied, smiling softly, something shy in his demeanour afterwards. 

Taya soon turned her attention to Monet, the youngster meeting her with a fair little hug, only returning to playing after earning her approval.

Once everyone had gotten comfortable, and once Sleeves had returned with a few sports drinks for the boys - Spears kicking back with his, drinking near enough half of it in one go - it didn't take long for everybody to get talking.