The Zodiac Cycle

3.14 Listening in

"We need to figure out what exactly the rebellion is hiding from us." Sakura overheard Amber say as she walked with Carson out of the Main area. She was in her Fey-shift form, trying to avoid being seen.

"And how do you propose we do that?" Carson sighed. "I think we should play along for now and speak up if anyone gets hurt."

"Someone has already been hurt, Carson. George-"

"Was killed by one of Zach's soldiers. There's no guarantee that what Olive is hiding is dangerous. Plus she's not only hiding it from us."

"That's exactly why we need to look into it." Amber argued.

Sakura crept along the rafters above the conversation, peeking at them every once in a while, and Noticing that Ash was also walking with them.

"Carson is right." Ash said, receiving a glare from Amber. He put his hands up defensively, "what I mean is if Vel was a part of the conversation, and seemed to be on your side, I think she'll investigate Olive on her own. Anything she finds that invalidates what's she's doing here will probably be relayed to us." He put his hands down. "That's the kind of leader she is. I can tell."

"So what, we put blind faith in the people we barely know and roll with the punches?" Amber sighed.

"Not particularly." Ash noted. "We can always call on some extra hands."

"Who do you suggest?" Carson asked.

"Well, I'm sure Keith would love to meet Sakura, and there's also Jest. She's pretty powerful."

"Jest doesn't like Abbadon." Amber pointed out.

"Right-" Ash thought for a second. "We haven't made many allies, have we?"

"We have trust issues for a reason." Amber nearly rolled her eyes as they entered the bunks they'd been staying in. They sat in the lounge area and Sakura made herself comfortable in a corner spot of the rafters. She was interested in the conversation, but not too worried about it. The Scorpio seemed to have resolved the issue before it started.

But Vel investigating Olive seemed like it might be a problem.

"What about Sakura? Should we trust her?" Ash asked. "She's pretty close to Olive."

"I was wondering the same." Carson added.

"I'm conflicted about that one." Amber sat back, crossing her arms. "I didn't trust Iris before, and now I feel like it was part of why she died."

It was then Sakura noticed the human in the corner beneath her.

Brianna was sitting there, on the floor, with her knees to her chest. She looked bored, but also sad, as she also listened to their conversation, unseen and unheard.

Brianna closed her eyes and leaned her head back, resting it against the wall to where when she opened her eyes, she was looking up directly at Sakura.

She made a small squeak of surprise which got the attention of the three conversing on the couch.

Oh no.

She could see the crisis in Brianna's face as she looked at Amber, Ash, and Carson.

Sakura stood silently and sauntered across one of the rafters and dropped down in front of the human gracefully.

The three on the other side of the couch looked even more shocked to see the small fox as she sat back on her haunches, speaking to them.

"If you really want to know what Olives hiding, it's better to talk to Vel about it."