S a l e t é I I

XXII - Cerveau - Un

As much as Cassia had wanted to stay at the factory and mingle with the other children, who had been unaware of their visit due to how Chief had slipped out without an announcement, she now harboured an urge to return to their own hideaway in order to give Zisel her drink for the day, as meagre as it might have been. It was a sentiment that Uliana had agreed with, as strong as her own desire to see the others was. 

Monet had, naturally, wanted to get back as soon as possible, Cassia anticipating a meeting on the ground floor as soon as they'd gotten a chance to settle. Chief's plan had sounded like their best option, the prospect of guaranteed results and working for a reward surely better than scouring every back street in the district for scraps, and better than digging through slopes of actual garbage in the junkyard. 

At the same time, she understood Monet's caution, and she wasn't about to involve herself in any situation that she deemed unsafe. Knowing that the boys would be coming with them was a source of great comfort, and it subdued her inevitable concerns to the extent that her curiosity was able to win out.

Who would Monet actually choose to accompany her for this first visit? It was probably between her, Klavdiya and Uliana. It didn't matter too much, because if the trip turned out to be a fruitful one then whoever hadn't been picked would no doubt end up going along on a subsequent run.

Did this mean that she was going to see more of Lower Merveille? Perhaps she would get a glimpse of the so-called Red District, an area she'd been intrigued by for a number of reasons ever since she'd heard of it. Did people from the city above really come down to visit the place? What could have been so appealing?

If people could come down, did that mean that they could also go up...? She had faith in her letters, but she had also made a point of keeping Monet's advice in mind - plan for the worst, hope for the best. The worst, in this case, would have been if...

No, now wasn't the time to dwell upon potential failings. They'd gotten a trio of much needed drinks and they'd secured a lead that could potentially hand them more. Regardless of how the trip unfolded, she was sure that she was going to be learning a few more things soon.

Getting back had given her quite a rush.

"W-who's that?" Zisel had called when she'd heard the approaching footsteps. 

Zisel? On guard? Hadn't Klavdiya been the one keeping watch?

"We're back."

Monet's voice banished any of their friend's fear, the ensuing void quickly filling up with hope as the teenager unblocked the hole in the wall. Seeing her sat there, a smile on her face as she dared to be optimistic, knowing that they would be able to give her some good news...

It wasn't a bad feeling at all.

Uliana headed up to fetch the key as Cassia sat down with Zisel by the fire, taking Polina from her so that she could place a glass bottle, glistening red, in her hands instead. Klavdiya was here too, sat on one chair whilst she rested her leg on another, an air of calm descending upon their sanctum, the fire carrying a welcoming warmth yet again.

She would savour it whilst it lasted, which would hopefully - after their upcoming journey - be for a while.

"You okay, Klavdiya?" She asked her somewhat weary looking friend.

"Hmm? Yeah, fine, it's just my leg."

Klavdiya gave herself a tap on the knee, and she was able to put on a brighter look, even if Cassia could see that she wasn't on top form. Zisel had started on her drink in the meantime, pausing between each sip so that she could run the remaining liquid around in the bottle, testing the weight as a means of determining how close she was to a half like she had done in the past, a tried and tested method at play.