And Then She Was Gone..

She's Gone...

"No, Aru!"

The words echoed in Mini's head. She had been too late. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her sister, broken and crying. She had been so used to Aru being to the strong one. On every mission, Aru had always managed to stay together better than Mini ever could. But to see her resilient sister so shattered... it hurt Mini as well. What could've caused that? Was there anything she could've done? Should she have gone to the Tree in her sister's place? 

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of music. Mini looked up. She saw Rudy, who was leaning on a wall across the waiting room, clutching a gem like his life depended on it. The music was a calm, gentle melody, and made Mini feel a little less grim. She took a deep breath in. Mini took a look around the waiting room that Maruts had brought them to, where the Potatoes were staying until Opal helped them decide on what came next. She gathered her thoughts. I'm the oldest, she thought, and they're my friends. She had her own grief over what had happened, but that wouldn't stop her from making sure the others were okay. Mini shifted in her chair and turned to Brynne.

Brynne had buried her head in her hands and cried silent tears. Brynne looked up, feeling Mini's stare on her. Mini gave a little sad smile, and in the harsh lighting of the Maruts waiting room, Brynne's reddened eyes reflected exactly how Mini felt.

     "You okay?" Mini asked, fighting to keep her voice from cracking.

     "Who could be okay with this?" Brynne choked out.

     "I just wanted to make sure you were-"

Brynne shook her head. "I'll be fine. Aiden and Nikita are really the ones you want to check on."

Mini was proud internally. That was Brynne, always putting others before herself. Mini pushed herself off her chair. She took one wobbly step and then another, and thankfully, managed to make it across the room without tripping over her own feet. Her eyes landed on Aiden, who looked like he was about to crumble. He was sitting on the floor, eyes fixed intently on the walls. Mini sat down next to him.

     "Hey, are you alright?"

     Aiden flinched. She must have surprised him. 

     She winced. "Sorry about that."

     Aiden shook his head, but his eyed were still glued to the wall. "It's fine. How are you holding up?"

     "I'd rather not answer that right now"

     He shrugged. "Fair's fair."

     "What about you? Are you doing alright?"

     "No, I'm not okay. Aru's gone, and I couldn't stop it."

    Mini looked at him. "It wasn't your fault."

Aiden sighed and fiddled with Shadowfax. "But I just stood there. You at least tried to stop her."

   "But still. I know you're in a bad mood, so I won't say anything else. Just know that you're not to blame."

Aiden finally tore his eyes off the wall. Mini could see that they shone with tears. 

    "Thanks Mini, I needed that. I just wish... that there was something I could've done. Should I have gone with her?"

    Mini felt the sadness roil over her again, but managed to put herself back together before she let her tears loose. "I'm wondering the same thing."

She got back up, and wondered who she should check on next. Then Mini remembered Brynne's words. "Aiden and Nikita are really the ones you want to check on". Well, she had already talked to Aiden, and it seemed that Opal was quite busy, as she hadn't called them in yet, so she would have some time to talk to Nikita, Sheela, and Rudy, before they were called in. Mini turned around and spotted her little sister. Poor Nikita was nursing a wound on her leg from the battle at Kalpavriksha. Mini had been too caught up in her own grief to notice it earlier.