S a l e t é I V

XLIII - Décoloration - Deux

"Well done. Come on, let's get you inside."

They'd stayed as a group when Monet had finished getting everything ready for the trip that was ahead, the girls taking the same cautious route down to and across the old street on their way to the factory. 

Klavdiya hadn't found the journey quite so easy this time around, although her persistence had paid off, the lass refusing to slow the others down or to rely on them unless it was absolutely necessary, her conviction earning the praise of Monet once they were over the wall.

Two officers had been present at the end of the road again that day. 

Only one had been in their sights from the top of the slope at first, the second making an appearance from one of the crowds after Monet had decided that they should lay low, believing that a system of pairs at the least would have been in play. It turned out she'd been correct, not that Cassia had doubted her intuition.

"Taya, stay with Klavdiya for a while, won't you? Be good." Monet said as they neared Captain's door, the youngster hopping on the spot before she fell back to her new guardian's side.

"Shall we see if everyone will help us draw a really big picture whilst Monet is gone? You can show it to her when she gets back." Klavdiya suggested to her once she was close, Taya appearing deeply thoughtful for a moment before she gave a resounding nod.

"Umm... Okay!" She declared, her enthusiasm welcomed by both Klavdiya and Cassia, whilst Monet quietly appreciated the former for her willingness to occupy their young friend during her absence.

"Alright! Think about what you wanna draw before we find Sunshine though, or else we'll lose time. Are you thinking?"

Taya was already back in that deep contemplation of hers. She never failed to be sweet, not to Cassia.

Once they were inside - Captain letting them in without any fuss once again - there were things that they had to see to before they could do anything else. 

Cassia and Zisel, hand in hand like they had been for much of the trip, were soon making their way over to check on a certain young man, whilst Klavdiya headed off with Taya to find Sunshine like she'd planned, plenty of time to talk to him herself available after the others had set out. He was right where they'd left him, still resting on what was now his end of the worn out conveyer, which was still looking fairly comfortable after everything that the others had done for him.

"Cass! Zisel! Come here, check this out."

He sounded well. Cassie felt better.

He raised a hand high above his head as he called out to them, only wincing slightly as the motion reminded him that sudden movements probably weren't for the best, his regret short lived. 

In his other hand was a bowl that looked like it had been around a fair bit in its time, its form chipped, a spoon resting within before he took it up again. He wasn't alone - an ever watchful Sleeves was perched nearby atop one of the machines, a smile on her face as her friends approached.

"See this?" He asked as their visitors joined him, allowing them to view the meal he had on hand, a soup of some description, light in colour. 

The low lighting provided by the candles made it difficult to tell exactly what it consisted off, but Cassia could at least determine that chicken formed its base.

"Something smells nice. Are you having dinner?" Zisel asked, her delicate curiosity quite charming to Cassie.

"Yeah, but it's not just any dinner. Sleeves has been cooking again." He declared, notably proud as he had his next mouthful.