"Same time, same place," she agreed. By then, she would be more ready for this conversation. More willing to commit to answers that weren't crafted half in self-defense. She had to be. She wouldn't allow herself to be any other way.

With a curtsy, she bid them farewell. "It was nice meeting you, Roka. Stay safe," for that was the best well-wish she could think to grant.

The walk home would take half as much time as the walk there. Not because half as much time passed, but because her mind would be twice as occupied and twice as distracted as when she initially came out there. It was both welcome and not, but Pavo lacked the experience to make a distinction between them, or to lean one way or another. There was simply the truth, and the encounter to come. As she turned to leave, she thought she should report it to Sapphirine.

She told herself it would be a good night, two weeks from now. it had to be.

daekie
fin~