S a l e t é I I

XX - Dents - Un

Cassia's expectations had been proven to be correct, as she was not chosen to accompany Monet again the following day as she made her way over to meet with the factory children, the older girl instead choosing Uliana and Klavdiya. Such a pairing was probably for the best, considering that they'd been in Lower Merveille for far longer than her, and - if all went well - she would be leaving in the near future. Thus, any changes that might have been coming would affect them, not her. 

It was only right that they were at the forefront for any news. Besides, she was sure that they would provide some detailed accounts of any discoveries that they made upon returning, and Uliana had already told her in advance that she would fill her in on everything once she was back.

"Be ready to sit down for story time, okay? I'll try and get everyone to hurry back, once we've left." 

"Don't make Klavdiya rush." 

"I'll make her rush if I want!" 

Seeing as they were going to be heading over to the old industrial building, Monet had also elected to take several bits and pieces with her for the purposes of trading, the idea being that they would secure several things there and then and subsequently not be dependent on the old street. Maybe they would be able to pick up some things to do for Zisel whilst they were there, in turn? Such work seemed to rank amongst the more reliable aspects of their lives in the warehouse.

Once they'd set out on the day's journey, Cassia was left with Zisel by the ground floor fire, the atmosphere noticeably quieter without the two girls Monet had chosen as her partners for the trip. An energy that they brought to the place had left along with them, lending a much more subdued aura to the darkened rooms, and whilst it was oddly calming - Zisel's presence preventing things from becoming lonely - Cassia suspected that she would eventually begin to yearn for the girls to return in order to fill the gap that they had left behind.

Taya was, of course, also present within the warehouse. After taking the storeroom key back to its hiding place for Monet - something that she was able to do without any issues or distractions - she returned to the ground floor and began to entertain herself as usual, playing with a few simple, weathered toys. Her humming often accompanied her play, along with the occasional line that she would mutter to herself, and Cassia was able to pick up on a few things from time to time due to the still nature of their surroundings.

"Over here... Hmm hmm... Thank you... Thank you mister..."

Maybe she was making up a story with her toys?

Zisel seemed to enjoy the peace and quiet for a while, and Cassia was somewhat anxious about disturbing her now that she appeared to be content by the warmth of the newly stoked flames, and so she decided that she would take a leaf from Taya's book and amuse herself for a while as well. 

What did she have on her? Polina was present, as vigilant as ever, taking up a spot on one of the chairs nearby, her charm entirely unfaltering. She still had her book too, the journal the Roslindis had given her, along with the pen she'd received from Monet.

Folded neatly inside the cover of that journal was the picture that Sleeves had drawn for her, a gift that she considered to be brimming with compassion, its humble nature making it all the more special. It was the sort of thing that she really felt she could treasure, which only led her to consider the future. 

When she was able to return home, would she be leaving everyone behind? Would life continue as normal for Monet, and Uliana, and everyone else - both in the warehouse and in the factory? Even if Esmund was able to do something, such as by providing the biggest box of bottled Honey imaginable, it would still be a temporary measure, and things would eventually return to how they were now, wouldn't they?