S a l e t é I V

XL - Creux - Quatre

If Cassia really had been experiencing any lingering doubts in regards to assisting Fiacre, they were thoroughly banished when Monet returned with the boys later that day, a single bottle of Honey the only thing that they'd managed to acquire for their warehouse group. 

Once again, they had improved their supply from nothing to woefully inadequate, the lone glass vessel barely managing to even stir any positivity within Cassie whatsoever. Any joy she may have felt was swamped by the terrible knowledge that they would be forced to decide who went without yet again.

They couldn't continue like this. The physical strain was one thing, the thought of it getting worse for any of them nothing short of awful, but the constant stress... 

It was beginning to show in Monet too, her lack of a perfect result frustrating her to the point that it was visible through her stern expression from time to time, no matter how she tried to mask it.

They needed results. Badly.

"We've still got tomorrow in the works. You'll be alright until then, won't you?" Chief had asked, the sound of him clinging onto his upbeat nature barely able to reach Cassie through her growing aches.

She didn't want her friends to be alright. She wanted them to be happy, to be safe and well. She wanted Klavdiya to feel better. She wanted Taya to be able to keep humming away. She wanted Zisel to get by without having to worry. She wanted Monet to be able to rest.

The others had offered words and gestures of encouragement too, but it wasn't until Spears took her aside when they were preparing to leave for the day that Cassie was able to truly listen.

"Hey, wait up a sec." He'd said, catching her in the locker room as she'd waited for Monet to catch up with her bag.

"Remember what I said, yeah? This time tomorrow, everything will be sorted out. You hear? I don't want you stressing over none of this." He'd insisted firmly, that latter remark almost more of an order.

"I'll try not to." She'd replied, her fatigue far from concealed.

"I mean it, Cass. I'm gonna need you in top shape, so don't go beating yourself up over nothing. It's not your fault, it's not Monet's fault, you've just gotta keep going. Remember, if you keep going for as long as you can, there's always a good chance that things could change."

She'd listened more closely as he'd grown slightly less firm with his words, the knowledge that she was the one he was speaking too causing him to soften as he had done in the past.

"Okay? I mean it when I say I want you to remember that. Will you give it a try?"

"Mmh, I will." She'd replied, her reward a kiss to the top of her head, along with a ruffle to her hair.

"Good lass."

Whether that advice came from him, or served as an echo of something that his brother had once told him, she really did plan to do her best to try and keep it in mind. 

Disappointing him, on top of everything else, wasn't an option.

The walk back to the warehouse had been a tired one, the routes they'd taken countless times becoming greyer with every passing trip. Staying vigilant was important during any outing, however short, only Cassia's patience for the same dirt tracks, beaten paths, faded buildings and blotchy darkness could only last so long. 

She'd wanted to say something kind to Monet, anything that might have stood a chance at lifting her spirits, only everything that came to mind sounded foolish or weak in her own head.