She'd finally been given permission to leave the infirmary. Sasha had started to feel like a caged animal after so long. The same four walls and the constant sluggish flow of visitors had lent a vague monotony to the endless days. Jerry's constant visits were stifling. He was like a worried mother bird whose incessant warbling was slowly making her feel deranged and half-mad. Did she feel bad for feeling the way she did?

Absolutely. Sasha knew that he didn't deserve it - Sasha knew that he loved her and he'd never purposefully hurt her. Even still, Sasha couldn't help feeling the way she did. Stifled, caged. His wibbling and woobling didn't help his cause - each time he stuttered or lapsed between his words, Sasha grew more and more annoyed. More and more frustrated with him. She didn't want to take care of him, not now. It was something she'd had a lot of time to think about.

Too much time to think about, perhaps.

During one of the rare times that Jerry wasn't hovering over her, Sasha made her escape. It was a slow process, but she managed to make her way back to her dorm without issue. The familiarity of her room was instantly relaxing. Her flute was exactly where she'd left it - tucked beneath her pillow. The bracelet was still safely hidden away in one of her older dresses, deep in the closet. Sasha had taken the time to give Jerry his gift, and Rin hers as well; she hadn't had time to give the doctor his - and it was still where she'd left it before traipsing off into the jungle for Zenquest.

Zenquest. Sasha tensed, her jaw tightening as she forced herself to breathe through the wave of anxiety that crashed over her. Things had gone well during the whole 'spill your secrets' ordeal. Sasha couldn't help but feel as if she'd given all of her personal weaknesses away. It hadn't been the smartest thing she'd done, but at the time she couldn't help but feel as if it'd been the proper thing to do. Sasha sat heavily on the edge of her bed, smoothing slender fingers over the blanket. The room felt small, too small for her. She could almost feel icy fingers of dread wrapping around her spine as she sat on the bed.

Sitting still didn't help her nerves any. The huntress rose to her feet and began to pace.

She didn't have to stay in this room. Jerry had hopefully offered to move her in. Chewing on her lip, Sasha went to peer out of the window. Disaster. The patched concrete here and there would serve as a constant reminder of days past - the horseman invasion, the dungeon, the --

No, no. She had to think of something else. She had to find something else to occupy her mind. If she sat and thought about the time that had passed as she sat with the others in the bowels of the Horseman lair, Sasha knew she would go mad. She could play her flute.. she could clean.. she could --

Ah, yes! Brightening, Sasha tucked her hair behind her ears and moved towards the closet. With an indelicate grunt, Sasha tugged out the dented metal briefcase that she'd retrieved from her papa's home. Sasha tossed it at the foot of her bed before she moved to tackle the sturdy series of locks that kept it secure.

"Ridiculous."

There was no way that she would be able to unlock it on her own. Maybe she could pry it open somehow. Glancing around the room, Sasha narrowed her eyes as she browsed. A pen? No. Her brush? Hardly.

Nona?

<You wouldn't dare, dove.>

Sasha chuckled softly, the sound rusty. Ever since the golem experience, their relationship had been slightly strained. Nona had behaved herself for the most part - something that couldn't be said for many of the other weapons that had gotten their paws on their bonded's phone.

We could always call Jerry. Maybe have him grab something from.. from somewhere.

<Sweetling, you can hardly stand him - and yet you would call on him knowing that he would drop everything to come running to your aid.> There was a pregnant pause. <You do your Nona proud, Sasha-dove.>

Sasha grinned faintly; the smile did not linger as her thoughts turned once more to Jerry. Where had things changed? It had been after her return from France - of that she was certain. Many things had changed, and Sasha had never felt so alone. Despite her cold shoulder, Jerry had never let her down. Not in the ways that mattered, really. He was attentive, giving, generous. Everything that she could ask for - and yet he was as capable of looking after himself as a baby bird.

It grated.

It isn't his fault. I've been harsh. I know it hasn't been easy for him - it hasn't been easy for any of us. I think.. it might mean a lot to him to be here when I open this. Maybe … a way for us to bond. To fix things.

<Is that what you want?>

Sasha reached for her phone, tapping out a quick text to Jerry.

I want normal. I miss normal - as normal as things can be, at least.

Nona snorted loudly.

<Liar.>