After a few moments of silence, Aliana finally cracked. She let out a croak, then started crying into Bryony's shoulder, turning her body in as it heaved with sobs.

Mable froze with fear, watching Aliana and slowly stepping towards her. Her footsteps were halted by Bryony, who held a hand out for her to stop. The twin slats of her visor raised from watching Aliana to making eye contact with Bryony, meeting with Bryony's contempt filled eyes. She stepped back tentatively to where she had been standing beside Celosia.

Bryony, still staring down Mable sternly, lowered the hand she had reached out to Mable with and put it on Aliana's backside, stroking gently. She leaned in towards Aliana's ear and kept her head on her shoulder, whispering almost wordlessly. When Aliana nodded and whispered an equally inaudible response, Bryony shifted from the bean bag, pulling herself onto two feet, and helping Aliana to her own feet as well. She slung an arm around Aliana's back, leading her by the shoulder. She grabbed both visors in her free hand, giving both Celosia and Mable and acknowledging look, walked towards the door at the far end, and left.

The door shut and left just Celosia and Mable.