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"And who knows? Maybe I'll even teach you how not to get lost."
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As the night settled over the camp, Celestria stood in line for dinner, the air cool and crisp around her. The gentle hum of conversation filled the air, punctuated by the soft clinking of plates and the occasional burst of laughter from a nearby group of Grisha. Alina, who was a few steps ahead, waved enthusiastically when she spotted Celestria.
"Hey, Celestria!" Alina called, her bright smile cutting through the dimming light. "Come over here!"
Celestria quickened her pace, relieved to have someone to talk to. "Thanks for saving me a spot," she said, joining Alina at the front of the line.
"No problem! I wasn't sure if you were going to make it," Alina replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What do you think of the food here? I heard it's actually pretty good."
Celestria shrugged, glancing at the trays piled high with steaming dishes. "I hope so. I could use a decent meal." She tried to match Alina's enthusiasm, but her mind kept wandering back to Zoya, who was off somewhere in the camp.
Alina leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "I heard they even have pastries for dessert tonight. Can you believe it? I can't wait to try them!"
Celestria managed a smile, but her heart wasn't in it. While Alina buzzed with excitement, Celestria's thoughts drifted to Zoya and the overwhelming urge to keep an eye on her. She briefly entertained the idea of sneaking onto the skiff without Zoya noticing. What if she found a way to hide and go along with her? The thrill of the thought sent a shiver down her spine, but the risks loomed larger in her mind.
"Celestria? You okay?" Alina asked, breaking her reverie.
"Yeah, just... thinking about things," Celestria replied, her voice distant. She watched the people around them, the camaraderie among the Grisha palpable in the air. Laughter erupted from a nearby table, and the sound of plates clicking echoed softly, providing a comforting backdrop to the moment.
Alina nudged her gently. "You sure you're alright? You look a little lost."
Celestria hesitated, contemplating whether to share her swirling thoughts. "I'm fine. Just thinking about... plans, I guess. You know how it is."
Alina studied her, concern etched on her face. "If you need to talk about it, I'm here. We're all in this together, right?"
Celestria's heart swelled upon hearing Alina's words. She can't help but feel...The start of a friendship?
"Yeah, I know," Celestria said, forcing a smile that felt a little too tight. "I appreciate it, really. Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."
As they moved closer to the food, Celestria's thoughts lingered on the idea of sneaking into the skiff. The more she thought about it, the more it felt like her only option. She didn't want to feel helpless, watching Zoya head off without her.
