>>5280354“Do you have any questions to ask me? You don't have to ask now, of course.” You quickly amend. “This conversation—as brief as it is—has given me things to think about and some more questions to ask you...but we can carry on this conversation at another time. I know we’re both tired.”
The space around Ozmas shifts, as if she thought better of the reply that she almost voiced. It’s another second or two before she speaks again, her words chosen with a care and deliberation that betrays her own frustration and exhaustion.
“Very well. Next we speak, I will have some questions for you, at your request.” She relents, finally. “We will continue at your leisure...though preferably at your earliest convenience.”
“Rest well Ozmas.” You say with as genuine a smile as you can muster, those three words giving the being before you pause as the white overtakes the dark around you.
“And you as well, Defiant.” She replies, and when you open your eyes it’s to find yourself staring at the blank wall opposite you.
[Well that was a surprising conversation] You say, opening a line to Gina as you decide to sit with your thoughts for a moment.
{Such as?}
[I'll tell you after I get some sleep] You chuckle aloud, glancing towards the door as you consider doing one last check-in with the family before shuffling off to bed. [Everything good on your end?]
{Yep! Just sit tight and get some rest, okay?} Comes her swift reply, carrying a tinge of panic that would have given you more pause if not for the wave of comfort that reaches out from her and wraps warmly around your heart. {Sleep well, Shu}
[Will do] You reply, allowing yourself to relax as you stare straight ahead once more at the blank wall before you.
You keep telling yourself that you’ll decorate soon. Soon. Soon, as if you'll have a moment that isn’t claimed by either action or exhaustion, or some combination of the two. It’s the latter that makes you haul yourself onto the bed from where you sit, and Sam turns to you with a whir of circuitry that’s almost deafening in the quiet confines of your room.
“How’d it go?” Sam asks, and it catches you off guard, considering you weren’t expecting her to ask…much less sound like she actually cares. You’re glad you’ll be getting some sleep soon, because this is all just a little much to digest.
(Continued) 