S a l e t é I I

XVII - Veines - Neuf

"They're kind of like delivery people, you know?"

"Yeah, they move things around for you, but only if you give them cool stuff first."

"That means they bring their own things with them too though! They always have interesting goodies with them."

"Mhm! And they'll have everything you'll need for your letter, just wait and see!"

Out in the factory yard, off towards the outbuildings that might have once served as storage units for various, larger vehicles, the children had gotten settled amongst a selection of forgotten crates and similar boxes, some of which they now used as seats. They were somewhat close to the perimeter wall itself, where one of the remaining lights was situated, which ensured that they weren't in darkness - though it wasn't especially bright either. Low lightning in such a place would have normally been something that Cassia would have found rather unsettling, as she had done in the past, but with the other kids around it actually became quite nice, in a way.

It was here that they'd gotten talking about the news that had just been passed onto them, and Sleeves had set about filling Cassia in on what she knew, with a little help from Shipshape, the boy having joined them as they'd made their way out. Sweets had followed them as well, though she was a little more restless, looking as if she wanted to play rather than sit around and talk.

The voices of those out on the old street were audible, though their current side of the factory was far away enough to subdue them slightly. It was a good mix; being able to hear those beyond the wall did away with any feeling of extended isolation or loneliness that the grounds might have had, whilst being unable to see them or be seen by them still granted an air of privacy.

"I'll keep an eye out for them too, just in case. We might be able to get things for you, so that way you can get it from us if you can't get it from them yourself." Sleeves said to Cassia, who appreciated her continuing desire to assist. Shipshape immediately looked sceptical.

"Chief would probably be the one to keep a look out, or Captain, not you. You're younger, so you're not going to be out there so often." He said, which only made her appear annoyed.

"So? I can still help. If I do get to go when they're around, I'll help, that's what I'm saying." She clarified, looking sure of herself, and also slightly defiant in response to his attitude. A new expression came to him in turn, as if he'd decided that potentially irritating her was not the best course of action.

"I'd be thankful for any help at all, it doesn't matter how small." Cassia said, hoping to settle the situation, and Sleeves looked happy again.

"What is it that you need from them again? A stamp?" Shipshape asked, sounding more focused.

"Yep, just a stamp. They would take the letter to send for me, wouldn't they...?"

"If you give them something as payment. Something decent, something they could get money for, seeing as they actually go up top." Klavdiya replied, confirming those points, to which Cassia nodded - extra clarification was always worth having.

"A stamp is a pretty small thing though, isn't it? Do you really need one?" Shipshape asked next, his inquisitiveness seemingly on the rise.

"Monet says I do. Apparently, the post people won't take your letter without one. It has to have a proper, Sabre stamp of approval." She replied, gesturing in a motion that suggested she was indeed stamping something.

"My uncle used to do this trick where he sent letters to his friend without stamps." The boy said, such a statement of an unexpected nature to everyone present, aside from Sleeves and Sweets - the prior girl looking as if she'd heard similar stories before, whilst the latter girl had finally wandered over to the hopscotch court, where she was now playing.