>>6127439It’s the first time you have dinner while at sea.
The first thing that hits you is how different atmosphere feels compared to your recent stay in the Holy Land. The mariners keep to themselves, some of them even comparing their plagues on their half-naked bodies, so sure that their trip will save them.
You bite your lip. It’s like Sandora said, it’s not your task to enlighten them, at least not now. And if you did, they’d probably revolt against the Asterite. The oily sensation you are doing something wrong tightens around your heart.
“Let it go,” Willow whispers next to you, as the last few golden rays of sunlight play with her brown hair, making them shine like copper. “We can’t do anything right now. Perhaps if we had all the time in the world.”
“I still do not like it.”
“You have a lifetime to correct all sorts of wrongs, Argia,” she adds setting a hand over your shoulder.
“This would need my help <span class="mu-i">now</span>.”
“As do I,” she scoffs. “And all of us. There is something else on this ship, and I’m not talking about that undead Asterite inside the engine. I don’t like it either, but I need you focused. You are the one who must hold us together.”
“I— you are asking much of the girl who can’t keep her head in one place and opens doors with her face,” you counter, referring to what happened when you descended, hours before.
“Carnaval is asking the Knight. I’m asking the <span class="mu-i">girl</span>,” Willow brushes her fingers against your shoulder. “You need to do this, Argia. We are counting on you. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself.” She smiles. “You are turning out to be far too dependable for your own good.”
[cont.]
