About ten minutes after Monet had viewed the items that Uliana had acquired during her trip the previous day, the girls had packed them back into her bag, which was now waiting by the path leading to the entrance into the warehouse, covered with the metal sheet on the outside. Uliana herself was looking quite eager to get going, a sort of energy about her; she couldn't stand entirely still, and she shuffled, or tapped her foot.
Taya had come rushing back downstairs not long after Monet had gone up, and she'd returned to her spot on the container where she'd been playing. Klavdiya remained sat by the fire, which she seemed determined to maintain, whilst Cassia waited with Uliana.
"So, are you coming with us?" The girl asked her as they awaited Monet's return.
"Oh, uh, not today." Cassia replied, the prospect of heading out into unfamiliar territory somewhat daunting, if a little intriguing.
This place that had been described to her - the old street where people gathered - sounded like an interesting place. Maybe there would be something there that could assist her in her predicament? Maybe someone there would be able to help?
Those thoughts aside, it would have been nice to have just a little more time for... Well, for everything to settle. Everything still felt surreal.
"We might be able to get some cool stuff today, it depends on who's there. Monet always says that we need to focus on important things, but I think we should get something fun too. She's really serious all the time, which is good and all, but..."
Uliana tilted her head from side to side as she weighed up the pros and cons of her supposed leader.
"Like you, with your doll. What's her name again...?"
"Polina."
"Yeah, Polina. I'd love something like her."
Cassia was getting the impression that Uliana was quite enjoying being able to talk to someone new, judging by the time she'd been spending with her so far - and the pace at which she actually spoke - and she was glad for it. Getting a feeling for who was who, and how everyone acted, was a fine opportunity as well.
It was a vibe she'd experienced before.
"Taya? Are you ready to go?" Uliana asked, getting her attention now that some time had passed.
"Shopping time?" The girl called back, looking deeply expectant now that the possibility had been raised.
"Yeah, Monet is on her way."
Taya hopped down from her perch again, though this time she gathered her things, making sure not to lose any marbles in the process. She moved quickly, if a little clumsily from time to time, but she was definitely energetic.
Cassia still couldn't really discern anything off about her, in a physical sense...
She rushed off again, seemingly always going from A to B at such a pace, presumably to put her things away in the room where Zisel must have still been. It didn't take her very long to reappear, however, and she soon came over to wait with Uliana.
Cassia had expected the return of that sceptical look as she came to join her companion, interpreting it as a possible distrust of strangers.
Something about the way she acted became apparent in Cassia's mind now; Taya looked as if she was a few years younger than her at the most, and yet her behaviour wasn't quite at that level, coming across as if she was a little younger still. She didn't know if such an impression was fair or not, but it was the one she'd gotten.
YOU ARE READING
S a l e t é I I
TerrorThat is to say, downhill. Ever beneath. Time fades. Hop, skip, jump. Hide and seek. Scatter, like mice. Things were planted here, and soon they'll grow. No tears, little one. Red doesn't always mean danger. They've all had their tumbles, and learn...