S a l e t é I I

XII - Oreilles - Trois

Cassia decided to simply enter the small room towards the back of the warehouse, after wondering whether or not she should knock first, intending to announce her presence once she was inside. Zisel was quick to speak, pausing her work for a moment.

"Hello?"

"It's me, Cassia."

"Oh, you're back!"

Zisel turned, looking in the direction that the newcomer's voice had emanated from, a rather pleased smile on her face. Her expression still exhibited obvious glee, even with her eyes masked by that darkened, neat cloth.

"The others have left to go to the trading place, so I thought I'd come and see you." Cassia explained, stepping closer now.

It was a little strange - seeing how someone who was unable to see reacted to her voice - but there was nothing untoward or uncomfortable about the situation for her.

"That's kind of you, thanks. I'm the only one in the group who doesn't get to go out there a whole lot, though um... I suppose I don't need to explain why." Zisel said to her, and she didn't sound disheartened as she spoke.

"Mhm, Klavdiya told me."

"I'm okay around the warehouse if I go slowly, I've kind of gotten used to where everything is, but I'd never get around somewhere busy by myself. I don't want to slow the others down, either. Besides, I think I'm more useful here."

Cassia sat down on the somewhat beaten up sofa in the room as she listened to the girl, choosing the end closest to her.

"Oh, sorry! I'm going on about myself a lot, aren't I? What about you? Are you okay?"

"It's fine, I don't mind. But, um, I'm okay, I think..."

Being asked a kind question like that left her with a nicer feeling. Slowly, steadily, those warmer vibes were starting to last a little longer each time they arose.

"Well, as long as you feel alright, that's what matters. The others are always running around doing things, and I know it's all important, but... I don't know. Maybe I worry too much. I guess I actually have time to worry."

Seeing the things that Zisel had been working with on her desk, from the clothes to the bits and pieces of spare fabric, to the needles and spools of thread, renewed Cassia's curiosity regarding the girl herself, in regards to how she actually practiced such a craft.

"So, you mend clothes and things?" She asked, deciding to try and get some answers to some of her questions.

Of course, one question in particular was the most prominent, but she refrained from asking that one.

"Oh, yep. I used to work in a tailor shop, and I still have all my memory. If you give me some clothes that are damaged, then I should be able to fix them."

"That's really impressive."

"It's not that amazing." Zisel began, though a slight shift in her tone indicated that she was fond of the compliment.

"I can get a feel for things, and sewing is easy for me. It can take a little while, but I get it done, and it saves the others doing it."

She sounded fairly proud of her ability to serve such a purpose, and Cassia could feel a tint of something familiar - perhaps a desire to be useful - something that she'd experienced herself many times in the past.

"I learned a bit about sewing, once." Cassia said, recalling another familiar element about the situation, that new sensation - a fondness for the memory, but also a slight, dull pain as she considered those who'd been a part of it - accompanying such a thought.