S a l e t é I I

XV - Côtes - Onze

Cassia took the second envelope with her as well, just in case anything happened to the first one, which she continued to handle with the utmost care. Their search now concluded, Sleeves led them back out onto the second-floor platform where Uliana skipped ahead, looking down at those still below - and in particular, at Monet.

"We found two! Two of them!" She called down, interrupting whatever conversation had been taking place in an entirely unapologetic style, Cassia adoring her enthusiasm.

She was excited too - deeply so - but she made a conscious effort to stay calm and collected. This wasn't the be all and end all, because actually getting the letter moving and getting the letter to Deering House from where she now was were two different things entirely, and even if there was a method where she could get it going straight there, it would probably take some noteworthy time.

She didn't mask her smile in the way that she curbed her anticipation, her grin entirely on show, Uliana very happy to see it, her optimism running free as she turned back to her.

"What now? We just need a stamp, don't we?" She asked, channelling that energy, as if she was ready to spring into action as soon as she had the directions that she needed.

"Yep! Where are we going to get one though?"

"One will turn up, don't worry. After that, we'll find your delivery person."

Cassia still wasn't sure why Uliana was so kind and so willing. She didn't require such understanding, as it would be something that she would treasure both now and in the future regardless.

There wasn't much that she could be certain of, but she could be certain of that.

"Why do you need a stamp? Nobody here uses stamps." Sleeves asked as she came to stand with them, folding her arms, those long sleeves of hers hanging down.

"Cassia lives in a place up top, all the way on the other side of the city." Uliana explained, still energetic, Cassia providing the confirmation.

"Ohh! You're one of those family Jouets?"

"Huh...?"

Family Jouet? What did that mean?

"You know, like when mums and dads can't get a baby, so they get a Jouet instead?" Sleeves elaborated.

"Oh, no, uh... I was a sister, for my father's other daughter." Cassia clarified.

She'd almost said that she'd been made as a sister, the sentence sounding too unnatural to actually emerge. What she had said struck her as odd enough.

Did people do that, though? Get a Jouet, if they couldn't have a baby? Cassia didn't even know where to begin with thinking that one over.

"Oh, alright. That sounds cool. Most Jouets down here got made to do jobs for people, I think." Sleeves continued, and it was Uliana's turn to give a knowing nod, the gesture capturing Cassia's interest in spite of her latest thoughts.

"Just like me and Zisel! I dunno about Taya though. Uh, speaking of which, do you have any crayons you don't need? You know what Taya is like when she's grouchy."

"I guess you can have some, seeing as it's a special occasion. Hold on."

Sleeves got moving again, heading for the ladder that was still fully intact on their side of the second floor on her way up to the third. Uliana watched for as she went, the endeavour not taking very long at all, her look of triumph renewed in the meantime.

"That's one thing off of your list! You know, I think this whole idea of yours might actually work out."

The vote of confidence was definitely one that gave Cassia's spirits a gentle boost.