S a l e t é I I

XXI - Estomac - Trois

Uliana disappeared from view a few times as she kept up with her search for trinkets, always abiding by Cassia's conditions whenever she did so, making sure that her friend was always able to hear her whenever she wandered that little bit further.

Her casual approach to the conversation she'd had with Cassie only a few minutes earlier was explained by something she said during one of those small ventures out of sight. 

"Klavdiya asked me a bunch of questions about where I come from, and all that. I don't know why people care so much, to be honest, I mean, it's not like it matters."

Maybe she had a point. Maybe it didn't matter. Cassie took another moment to consider her own origins and where she'd come from, up at Deering House, and how her situation was different. Where she'd come from did matter, because there was a chance she could return there with the right amount of effort, and a good helping of luck. If Uliana had no meaningful view of her own early life then she must have disregarded it for a reason, perhaps because hers had nothing left that she could work towards, or try to reclaim.

Her origins at Deering House...? That wasn't strictly true, was it? The drive through the rain, in the back of the sleek car, with Kondrat as her chauffeur... 

Where had she come from? Really?

It was like Uliana had said. It didn't matter. It didn't change anything. What mattered was what she gave importance, and that was her family, and Deering House and all it contained, from its vast collection of literature to its especially long dining table, from its superb entrance hall and vine motifs to its charming, comfy bedrooms. 

That drive through the rain... Oh, how she missed the rain.

Was that how Uliana and the others viewed the warehouse, as basic as it was? Was it their place to defend, to trust in and to preserve? Calling it basic didn't feel right, not really. It may have been less comfortable by her own standards, but by the standards presented by Lower Merveille it was quite an asset, and she'd reminded herself of that fact many times now.

Uliana hadn't been finished with her reasoning, either.

"It's like with you."

"Me?" Cassia had asked, slightly confused now.

"Yep. Monet didn't care about where you came from, did she? Doesn't matter. You needed help, so she helped you, just like I knew she would."

It was a fair point, and one that granted Cassia a rather fuzzy feeling. 

Even so, she started to become increasingly restless as their time outside continued, and eventually she recalled Uliana so that they could return to the warehouse together. 

"We should probably head back."

"Yeah, alright." 

To the girl's credit, she returned without making any sort of fuss or protest, and they entered their hideout as quietly as they could, ensuring that Zisel wouldn't hear them. 

The young tailor hadn't left her backroom either, and so their little walk concluded without incident, although Cassie wondered over whether or not Uliana had abided by her rules so closely in order to make her more receptive to future outings. 

Best behaviour and Uliana didn't go together without a little suspicion.

Monet and the others returned not too long after this. Uliana had been the one guarding the door at the time, whilst Cassia had been paying a visit to Zisel. 

Even if she insisted that solitude was something that she valued, Cassie was intent on making sure that she wasn't alone for too long, lest she become as seemingly isolationist as Monet. The sound of the girl in red announcing her arrival drew both girls out from the backroom, Cassia helping Zisel with the door along the way.