>>6337170<span class="mu-b">As you stand, though, you would rather know why Rubida and Soralisa are here. Especially considering how you told them to stay <span class="mu-i">safe</span>.</span>
# # # # # #
“I am aware,” you reply to Carnaval, glancing at her through Soralisa’s brown hair. “But give them a moment.”
And also, you have a few questions for them as well.
You may have had your entire world turned upside down.
Your faith tested.
You might have had the most striking encounter of your own life.
But you still consider yourself their leader, and didn’t you ask them to stay safe? Away from the centre of all danger, which meant this very cell?
“I am happy you are here,” you sigh, gently pulling away from Soralisa, while Rubida stealthily uses her sleeve to dry her tears. “But I did ask you to stay put. You being here means…”
“… it will mean whatever it may, Candente,” she interrupts you. “We have tried to find a way to get you out of this place ever since we knew what was happening.”
“I had given you instructions,” you remind them. Gently, but there is a sliver of irritation in your voice. What if they had stumbled upon you beforehand? Lithala had been gentle enough with you, but Rubida and Soralisa might not have been as lucky. And it would have made everything even more complicated…
…thank the Heavens that they only arrived here right now.
“I wanted to see you,” Soralisa sighs. As if that solved everything that had happened!
“Does anyone know you are here? Besides Carnaval.”
“Rosandra… kind of… know…” Soralisa explains, keeping her voice and her head low, her forehead brushing against your shoulder. “It was—necessary, we—”
“You put yourself in needless danger!” You growl, hugging them even tighter. “What if this—” you do not finish the phrase. They knew, of course. They knew and they still did everything they could to come see you, to see if they could help.
Oh, <span class="mu-i">Starless Night</span>. You do not deserve friends like these.
“—when this is over, I will have some very stern words to share with you two,” you promise.
[cont.]
