S a l e t é I I

XX - Dents - Huit

"One of us! One of us!"

Uliana had been the one to adamantly declare that Cassia was now truly a member of the group, the other girls had all steadfastly agreeing. With all things considered, she'd already been accepted by them all weeks earlier, yet it was in that moment that Cassia really did feel as if her place amongst them was official, and that even if she returned home in the near future, they would always consider her to be a friend and companion.

Such feelings strengthened her wish to remain an asset to the team. For starters, she spent more time with Zisel when she wasn't chosen for the outings, doing her best to pick up on some of her tricks, helping with her work when she could. Using her techniques, which were naturally complimented by the lessons she'd once received from a certain servant girl, she was able to mend a tear her shirt had suffered during one return trip through the alleys near the garage sector, where a splintered pipe had snagged it. Zisel had supplied her with white fabric that almost matched as well, making it a decent fix, whilst also providing her with a spare top to wear as she worked. 

"I'm done..."

"Oh?"

"Here, what do you think?" 

"What do you think, Cassie?" 

"It feels okay..."

Cassia moved a little closer to her more knowledgeable friend, allowing her the opportunity to inspect her handiwork through touch. The top that Zisel had given her was a simple number, grey with a v-neck and short sleeves, cheap yet comfortable. 

"It feels good. I can tell you've had some practice." Zisel announced after making her inspection, her voice carrying a soft yet upbeat sort of praise that Cassie was happy to receive.

"That and some good teachers." She replied, giving Zisel a small nudge, earning a caring smile from her.

The work felt more satisfying, knowing that she'd done it herself. Sitting there in the back room with the quieter girl, mending away, helped her to appreciate her companion's craft.

She'd continued her attempts to engage with Taya, most of which had mixed outcomes. There were several instances where the girl didn't acknowledge her at all - almost as if she hadn't even heard what she'd said, or as if Cassia was invisible - whilst on other occasions she would look her way only briefly, giving her a suspicious glance or a short lived frown before she returned to whatever it was she'd been doing beforehand. Despite such reactions, there were other times where she behaved in the exact opposite manner, acknowledging Cassia with a smile as she answered her questions, and she even approached her to ask some of her own on some days. 

Cassie had tried to determine if there was any sort of rhyme or reason to her antics, and she had yet to determine any kind of pattern.

"Your name is Cassia, isn't it?" Taya had been asking her one day, whilst Monet was out with the other more able girls.

"Yep. I told you, remember?"

"Cassia."

"That's it."

"Cass-ee-ah."

Taya seemed almost fascinated by the sounds her name entailed, although - like many of her bouts of intrigue - Cassie was sure that it would soon be usurped by a fresh interest.

"Cassia Deering." She told Taya, smile included, along with a small hint of pride.

"Earring?"

"Deering. It's my surname."

"Sir name?"

Taya's confusion was quite cute in a way, at least to Cassia.

"Mhm. What's yours? You know, your last name?"