S a l e t é I V

XLII - Bravade - Huit

Klavdiya had known from the minute she'd seen Cassia's face that something was wrong.

Settling with them by the fire, Monet had been prepared to do all the talking, or to step in if Cassie faltered in any pronounced way, but she'd not been required to do so. The explanation that Cassia gave was one that she silently deemed to be both calm and suitable, even if she hadn't been free from pauses or slips during her account of all she'd seen, complete honesty the only path that the younger miss deemed acceptable in any capacity.

Shock. Pain. Anger. Cassie had expected all of it, and she did indeed see it all that afternoon. 

It was the former that rocked Zisel the most, whereas the latter took hold within Klavdiya, the very same course of emotions one that Cassie got to experience all over again for herself as she shared the story with the two of them as Monet listened from nearby, Taya already back at her side.

"He's safe now, Monet did a really good job of helping him. The others all helped to clean him up, and we can go and see him tomorrow." Cassia assured them all, wanting to end on an absolutely clear note that any cause for immediate panic was no longer present, such a desire partially fulfilled as she looked to Zisel, though not in Klavdiya's case.

"They can't do this. They can't. I don't care who they're working for, or who's come down here, they can't do something like this." She stated harshly as that anger flared, the low tone to her voice somehow worse than anything akin to shouting. 

She hadn't failed to maintain the balance that Cassia had achieved since leaving the factory, simply because she hadn't even tried.

"The officers don't normally carry guns though, do they...? Not real guns, I mean, but those, um... Those special ones, with the..." Zisel said, falling into mumbling as she realised that Klavdiya wasn't going to be calmed by any kind of reasoning, observation or speculation. 

The damage was well and truly done, to Spears most of all.

"They're psychos! Why do you think they've brought guns with them in the first place? They're not here to help anyone!"

"They could just be guards for the lady in charge though! Spears might have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, it doesn't mean that they - "

"So you're saying it's okay?!"

"Of course I'm not! You know I'm not! I'm just trying to make sense of it so we can make sure that nothing like this ever happens again!" Zisel insisted, her caution extending to even her attempts to explain herself.

Cassia knew that Klavdiya's question had been spoken without thought, something that she would have never uttered on any ordinary occasion, an unseen guilt surely working its way up through her anguish already.

When Monet reminded them of her presence, her words were enough to earn their combined attention, emotions aside.

"What Zisel says is true. It is uncharacteristic for the guards stationed in the underground to carry weapons of such a... Distinct nature." She said as she gently rubbed at the undamaged side of Taya's head, the youngster still at her side as she seemingly waited for something to happen.

"The presence of the inquisitor would be a valid explanation, but that only concerns me more. Cassia, do you recall what I once told you in regards to being both realistic and optimistic?"

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."

"In this case, I fear that the best may still be unfavourable. I do not wish to alarm any of you, but I won't withhold my doubts."