S a l e t é I I

XVIII - Pieds - Quatorze

Uliana and Klavdiya went about largely ignoring each other for the rest of that day, even after they'd cooled off following their dispute. Eventually, Cassia had gone off to join Zisel, where she'd learned what had unfolded between them.

"It's just Uliana being reckless again. She wanted Klavdiya to go with her on a search, just the two of them." She'd explained to Cassia whilst she'd been sat in her chair, her latest companion sat on the end of the sofa closest to her as she listened, the fire still managing to persist despite its low fuel.

"Klavdiya hates it when Uliana takes risks like that. The only reason she didn't blow up at her last time was because we were all too busy worrying about you."

Last time... Her stunt on the train, going up to Merveille. She'd netted some useful tings for the group, yes, but if she'd been caught by those people from Sabre...

"Klavdiya only gets mad because she doesn't want Uliana to get into any kind of trouble... And I do wish she wouldn't do such things by herself."

"So, what do we do now? They're both still pretty moody..."

"Just give them time, they always make up after a while. These arguments are kind of a thing that happens every now and then, so I'd get used to them if I were you."

Cassia was now debating over whether or not to get involved. Zisel had said that things would probably clear up on their own... She could understand the reasoning behind both of their stances, although she ultimately took Klavdiya's side in the dispute - safety first - and she doubted that voicing her opinion would do much to smooth things over. Klavdiya would have approved, she was sure. She was just as sure that Uliana wouldn't. 

When the time came for Monet to return to the ground floor, ready for the preparations needed before the new day's trip, Klavdiya was with Cassia by the main fire drum whilst Uliana was in the back room with Zisel.

Cassia was still wondering about whether or not Monet had actually heard their squabble earlier. At first, she'd believed that she must have, considering the raised voices involved, but the fact that she hadn't come out of her room until now suggested that she might not have after all.

Any wondering was immediately extinguished when she spoke, however.

"What was all that commotion earlier?" The girl in red asked as she crossed the ground floor, eventually stepping directly into the light cast by the flames Cassia had come to know so well. She was about to attempt a delicate explanation, only Klavdiya replied far faster than she could have hoped to.

"Uliana was being dumb again. She wanted to go out without your permission."

"Did she?"

"I told her no and we started arguing. I thought she'd be smarter after her stupid train stunt, which shows how much I know."

There were still twinges of that earlier frustration in her voice now, hours after the confrontation, even if they had lost some of that intensity in the time since then.

"I'll deal with her later. Apologise to her whilst I'm out."

"What?!"

"You were right to reprimand her, but not in the manner that you chose."

"She wouldn't listen!"

"Then at least let her know why she upset you as much as she did."

Klavdiya fell quiet now, a far more thoughtful look coming over her as she did so, that lingering frustration showing glimmers of the concern that Zisel had said that it stemmed from.