Mina was still fast asleep when she returned. Lightly, Liracen padded into the room where her friend lay curled up and shivering on the bed, removed and folded her clothing and slipped under the covers, stroking the other woman's flame-red hair soothingly. Mina's skin looked sallow, sweat beaded on her forehead and her makeup had smeared again where tears had crept from the corners of her eyes. Liracen chided herself for not helping her get cleaned up better, but the woman had been so bone-weary, it was all she could do to get her settled into bed in time before she collapsed into a deep sleep. Carefully, she rose to fetch a warm, damp cloth from the bathroom, wiping at the dark and crimson streaks running down her friend's cheeks, before curling herself around her again, gently pulling the covers close in the vain hope of stilling her trembling.
Her brow creased with anxious worry. How had she not seen? How had she let her friend lose herself down this dark path and not noticed? Had she been that preoccupied, her mindless frivolities so important that she'd let her friend fall by the wayside like this? She chewed her lower lip in frustration. There was another friend who needed her, whom she had landed in more trouble than she could fathom, yet that was no excuse for her behavior. She'd been eager to help, but not been solely thinking about him, as much as that admittance stung. She enjoyed his company, the way he talked and complimented her, how her heart had near skipped a beat when he'd touched her. She wiped a hand across her eyes, groaning inwardly in frustration. Was she falling for the guy? This was all she needed, on top of everything! She still hadn't had a chance to sort through her feelings for another man and now -
A low, wordless moan to her side pulled her out of her musing as Mina stirred, her breath coming in ragged sobs. Cursing herself, Liracen swatted her thoughts aside, tightening her embrace around her friend and holding her close, rocking her gently. Tomorrow she'd spend the day with Mina, take her to a training session, keep her talking and distracted. She'd see if she could get in touch with Ruusaan, more friends would make Mina feel better, safer, less lonely. The rest… would have to wait. She frowned. Hopefully it could wait…