When Nina roused, the foremost thing of which she took notice was the agonizing pain in her neck. It became irritated with even the slightest movement. It was as if it were punishing her, but the longer she remained still, the more it hurt to eventually move. In a matter of a few moments, reality came crashing down on her like a sledge hammer. When the impact finally struck, she tried to sigh. It hurt too much to sigh, so she resorted to muttering a gentle groan.

Softly, her eyes slid open, where she was greeted by what was, at first, an alarming sight. Two brown orbs fixed themselves upon her, staring back at a frighteningly close distance. Upon the lair of pillows, untouched by any villain, Soleil was lying next to her, evidently in the midst of dutiful monitoring. They took a few minutes to attempt to exchange messages via stares, but their pioneering work did little to innovate their methods of communication. Soleil was the first to finally budge and slowly ease closer. Most notably, her face was caked with worry.

"How're you feeling?" she asked softly, to which Nina struggled to respond.

"I could... be better..." A mere cough pained her greatly. "But I don't remember... falling asleep..."

"You haven't been out long. Twenty minutes max." Her eyes wandered to the side. When they did not talk, the fires above them did. The crackling noise soothed what would otherwise be an unsettling environment. "I thought you might've needed the rest since you weren't feeling good and all..." Those same eyes narrowed. "I... I'm really sorry, Nina... If I'd been just a few seconds sooner, you wouldn'tve..."

"Yeah, yeah... yeah... I get it. You're sorry. You were scared. Don't worry... I was too. It's not your fault..." Because she could not move her head much, she tried to catch a quick scan of their confinement with the radius of her gaze. They were, quite obviously, in what was once only Soleil's prison, spared from the havoc of combat. The sight did not catch her fancy, which was why she quickly replaced her gaze on her partner. "What we need to do is focus... on getting out of... here..."

"If we knew where we were, that might actually be doable."

"I have no idea where we are... precisely, but... we're definitely in the custody of the... Wind Tribe. I doubt we're... far from their village..." Suddenly, her eyes widened to display a face more worried than Soleil's. She blinked a time in discomfort, then tried to scan the room a second time. Her actions were far faster as if she had cultivated some sort of strength. "There was a guard... outside the door on my side. I wonder why... he... didn't come in when he heard all the... ruckus..."

Soleil rose from her laying position, stiff and ready for action. The door that stood not too far from them didn't look conspicuous whatsoever, so she did not offer it much of her precious attention. After hesitation that ultimately did her nothing, she turned back to Nina.

"Think maybe he went to get some buddies from the village? That was a pretty big guy in there. I bet it'd take at least two men just to get him under control. They'd need more to be sure you didn't make a run for it while they were holding him down."

While in their conversation, neither noticed how the door behind them slowly began to ease open... until Soleil's head peeked up and turned to watch it. The more time that passed, the more gradual Soleil's journey to her feet became. By the time she stood, stiff shouldered with clenching fists, a man stepped inside. Behind him followed two others, both baring a pair of menacing wakizashi. Even so, Soleil stood guard over Nina, who made attempts to rise as well. For once, it was acceptable for her process to be slow. Just ahead of her, there was nothing but a staring match between the two parties. Nothing more.

During the time, it was wise of them to study their potential opponents. The pair that were armed happened to have their attention stolen by the one who led them. He was worthy of the most scrutiny. He was old, as proven by the hints of wrinkles on his skin, and he was hairless wherever his body was revealed, which would be his chest and head. His sculpted arms and taut belly complimented the string of thick beads wrapped around his neck and the ring of gold around his finger. Unlike the man who lay motionless in the room next door, his golden skin bore no patterns whatsoever. Though he held no weapon, he seemed to be the most threatening. Though he seemed to be the most threatening, an air of peace swirled about him.

"Salutations, travelers," he greeted with a stiff bow. His voice was deep and mellow, reserved in every respect. "I have come to speak with she who proclaims herself the leader of your party."

Soleil certainly didn't think of herself as leader. She was just along for the escorting job (and other, more selfish, reasons that weren't necessary to consider at the moment). While keeping an eye on the three at the door, she backed up to Nina's side, crouched, and gave her a questioning look.

"Um..." she whispered as she assisted the girl to her feet. "Is that you?"

"Looks like it," Nina rasped back. When she finally stood, albeit flimsily, she took several deep breaths at a time and clung to what gave her structure. Her eyes went to the man as she prepared her aching throat to ring with a stronger voice. She was in for pain, she knew, but it was necessity that drove her to ignore it to whatever degree her power would allow. She nodded to the man subtly.

In response to her motions, the man crept deeper inside, leaving his men in his wake. His stride was ghostly, for his head did not bob, nor did his shoulders bounce. He was the prime example of power and grace, both of which were kept on a short and manipulative leash. A little ways from where they stood, he came to a pause and bowed again.

"I am Fuga, Chieftain of the Wind Tribe. It is within my conjecture I am speaking a language you both comprehend?" Having been left with all the talking, Nina nodded again. In response, the man gifted them with a smile. A comforting smile. It made the two relax, even if it was slight. "Good. I have come to welcome you to my village. So long as you pose us no threat, we will pose you no threat."

"We were... never posing a threat... in the first place..." Nina growled. She attempted to stand without Soleil's support, but was quick to retreat once she realized she did herself no good. "We were... camping along the shore... when you guys must've... taken us..."

"That is true. The lookout crew spotted the light that came from your lantern, and we made arrangements to pacify any uneasiness we had about the two of you. I am sorry if that has caused any inconvenience to you, and I hope you both find compassion."

Nina scowled, and her grip on Soleil tightened.

"That's hard to do when... you put me in a room... with a guy that nearly choked me to death..." She endured the agony that came with lifting her head to display the black and gray that gathered around her neck. Fuga observed the sight distastefully, and eventually, to Soleil's utmost discomfort, he reached out and brushed the tips of his fingers against her wound. Though Nina could not see what happened next, Soleil certainly did. Her eyes widened at the sight, for where his fingers ran, Nina's skin faded back to its natural hue.

"My apologies, young lady." He turned to Soleil, where he gave her a strict, yet somehow gentle, gaze. "I can tell the both of you have been through much hardship. Tell me, to where are you headed, and why?"

Nina hesitated. It was no coincidence that the man's touch was followed by the immediate soothing of her aching throat. It was natural that she felt she owed him something after such a miraculous favor, even though he was most likely responsible for the injury in the first place.

"We're merchants headed to the capital of Hoshido. Our travels recently brought us north from Mokushu, but it's summer, so we had to take a detour around the Kitsune territory."

"The Kitsune are notorious for their uptightness during the warm months. For that I express my condolences. Your travels have been prolonged. From what country do you hail, travelers?"

"Hoshido."

Fuga continued to eye them, especially she who had been healed by his aging fingers. His wrinkles deepened with the conforms of his altering expression, which was not the most promising of expressions. Both members of his audience grew tense... not visibly, but, with their bodies pressed together, they could most definitely feel the other. A man so mysterious and sovereign would not make an easy foe. They could only hope he never became one.

However, the best blessed them with its presence. Once again, Fuga smiled.

"Beautiful Hoshido, one of the countries I love. Though I withhold my tribe's philosophy of autonomy, I love Hoshido and my late friend Emperor Sumeragi. Consider yourselves my guests from now on, friends." Again, he offered them a humbling bow as he led them out of the prison. The two were evidently hesitant to follow, but at Nina's prejudice command, they trailed him a few feet behind.

The sun hit them the moment they departed from their prison, and both shielded their eyes until they were finally adjusted. When they looked, they found themselves in the midst of what should've been an arid wasteland. What they found instead, however, was a thriving civilization. Windmills towered over them, turning slowly. Barriers withheld rich soil, likely harvested elsewhere, and an intricate maze of channels for water. Beneath a bridge flowed an aqueduct, which sprang from the bottom of the windmill. It disappeared into a hole that ran deep into the ground, never to be seen again.

People of all shapes and sizes wandered around, some working, and some, mostly children, playing. Women effortlessly carried their jugs of water atop their crowns, and men were cooperating to deliver stacks of wood to a pile that stood in what was assumed to be the center of the commotion. Some were tattooed, some were not, but each had the same tan complexion as their neighbor. One man, after being summoned by Fuga, came to visit them. They conversed in a different language for a brief period of time. When they were done, the stranger quickly ran ahead of their tracks.

The ruckus surrounding them had Soleil and Nina remain tightly knit together, fearing one would stray from the other. They stayed close behind Fuga as he led them through the town, then eventually up the steps that led to one of the mightiest buildings in the village.

Soleil caved beneath the need to crack a joke, so she leaned over to Nina's delicate ear.

"This is probably where they kill trespassers."

Nina didn't find much humor in it, which was why she frowned and gave her a flick on the arm.

"That's not funny!"

The inside of the mammoth temple, as one could reasonably predict, met them with a majestic hall that seemed to roll for miles and miles. Initially, the two were awestruck by the scenery and made a vain attempt to take it all in at once. The ceiling towered high above them, giving a place for hanging fires to grapple. Tall pillars of sandstone supported the structure, their size transforming theirs to puniness. A long train of red carpet snaked down to the feature presentation: an authoritative door that scrutinized every move they so much as dared to make.

When Fuga drew himself to a pause, so did his followers, who watched him with anticipation and wonder. He crossed his strong arms behind his rigid back as he at last pivoted around an ankle. He proudly presented the hall to them officially.

"I welcome you to the Temple of the Wind. Here roams our elders, to whom I plan to present you." His eyes narrowed and wandered to the side. To be more precise, they landed on Soleil. "But first, of course..." He brought a hand up, but only to snap his fingers. The noise bounced off the walls for what felt like forever before, after clearing his throat, he began calling in a tongue they failed to understand.

From behind the pillars emerged three women, all dressed in a white garb that highlighted their voluptuous figures. They headed for Soleil, who, while gardening a furious blush, raised her brows. Assuming the women were to pass them based off their trajectory, she was sure to better her figure and image. Where once her form was unpolished, she sharpened her stance to show off the broadness of her shoulders, her head held high with flattery. Nina was tempted to roll her eyes, but the women ran too fast to let her in time. Instead of passing them as Soleil anticipated, they instead surrounded her.

It was reasonable to say that Soleil's crimson grew darker, but some would argue that was an understatement. She looked at them all one by one before finally giving way to a slight, but somewhat delighted, chuckle.

"Oh, um... Hello ladies... eh... Wanna go out for tea?" Their answer broke the mood instantly, for two took her by behind and wrapped an arm under either of her shoulders. The one who remained in front snatched her by the ankles. In only a moment, Soleil went from flushing to trying to break free. The women continued to hoist her off of the ground despite her resistance. No matter how much she kicked or wrestled, she could not prevail. "H-Hey! Let go of me! Hey! Nina!"

The women set off with her, and before Nina could chase them, Fuga swiftly took her captive with a single arm.

"Soleil!"

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!" The women, and Soleil, disappeared behind a door at the side of a hall. They did not come out, and Soleil's cries could no longer be heard. The sight brought fury to the face of she who remained. She swiftly turned back to the man behind her, ready to bark, snarl, and bite.

"Where the hell're they taking her? What're they going to do? Hey! Answer me you-"

"A patient heart always receives its answers. They shall come when it least expects them, and it will rejoice for the rest of its days."

"Can it with the proverb crap! I want to know what they're doing with her!"

Fuga's expression became grim, especially as he spitefully looked down at her. Like his mouth, his brows dropped as he replaced his hands behind his back once again. His friendly facade disappeared just as Soleil had, soon replaced by the front of business. It humbled Nina's tone slightly.

"If you want to see her again, you will come with me," he spoke lowly, sending a chill down her aching back. She was tempted to back off, but forced herself to stand her ground. Unlike the last man she encountered at such a close distance, she made sure to keep herself from striking him in the throat. That probably would have made him mad too.

Unwillingly, Nina left the door that swallowed Soleil behind, trailing Fuga down the hall that led to the other ominous door. Before it, Fuga closed his eyes thoughtfully, clasped his palms together, then greeted it with a stiff bow. That bow in particular, however, lingered far longer than its previous incarnations, and it was laced with intimate details of respect. When he turned to Nina upon finishing, he motioned for her to do the same. Albeit uncomfortable, she amateurishly mirrored him with inexperienced hands. The moment she was done, Fuga at last shoved the doors open, then beckoned her into the inkiness that waited beyond. As expected, Nina was negligent to comply, but that was before he reminded her that Soleil's return happened to be dependent on her decision.

Supposedly, at least.

Each one of her steps was cautious. When she set one foot on the floor, she grounded it the best she could, then ungrounded the other to take the next step. When she was still, she scanned the area around her with prejudice, prepared to break out into a sprint at any given moment. Rinse and repeat until she arrived at Fuga's side again, who awaited her before three tall seats. Slowly, Fuga turned to those seats, where he met an elderly body resting at each chair respectively. One of his knees kissed the ground, as did a hand, as he dipped his head before them. From his lips spewed the same unfamiliar tongue he used earlier, which came in the form of a lengthy paragraph of words. The term "Hoshido" was the most of the girl beside him could pick out and attempt to interpret.

From the darkness uttered a few words in response. As if they were commands, Fuga returned to his feet, and he faced Nina. He looked down upon her grimly.

"The elders wish to know your name. They will decide if you can be trusted to stay among our people."

Nina's eyes widened.

"St-Stay? We were trying to avoid you guys so we could get to the capital sooner. Can't you just escort us out of your-"

"Your name."

For someone who interrupted Soleil a lot, Nina certainly found it flustering to be interrupted herself. Nonetheless, she faced the elders timidly, blinking a few times before awkwardly clearing her throat.

"N-Nina..." Shoot. It was a bad time to remember that she and Soleil needed to come up with disguise names. Nina and Soleil didn't sound Hoshidan at all. In fact, "Soleil" happened to be a name that originated from a Nohrian territory. The origin of Nina's name was western as well, but that was her real name. So long as those losers did not know that, she might be able to skew their judgment for the present.

But then, from the seats came a disheartened rasp. Whatever it was the elders said, it did not put Fuga in a better mood. His hardened eyes traveled back to her, growing harder by the second. The look on his face alone forced sweat to bead on her forehead.

"Your real name, miss."

It was a miracle Nina did not pass out then and there. With how white she had turned, any who looked at her would have surely figured that she had been drained by a vampire. She remained standing in spite of her affliction, fighting the urge to obey her instincts and break for the door. Beneath the man, the seemingly omniscient man, she cowered.

"Éponine," she corrected herself softly.

Fuga and the elders went back to their conversing. Their tone disheartened the terrified listener. The disheartenment went to further itself when the man heaved a sigh, and the room fell victim to silence. She took a step back when he approached her. His eyes were cold. Unbelieving. Prejudice.

"Miss Éponine..." he began softly. "I am going to test you."

"T-Test me for what?" She began trembling.

"Your leadership qualities. Your conviction. Your judgement. Are you prepared?" She obviously wanted to shake her head with every ounce of strength coursing within her body, but she nodded anyway. "Good." He eased closer, "If you lie to me, I will have no choice but to kill both you and your companion. With that said, do you truly originate from Hoshido?"

She tried to swallow what little saliva spewed from beneath her tongue, only to find the task cumbersome thanks to a desert for a throat. Make it or break it, the back of her head echoed. Of course the Wind Tribe boasted autonomy as Fuga had previously said, but did they truly? Hoshido was clearly favored over Nohr. What would they do to them if she confessed their identity as Nohrian? Would they take them prisoner so they didn't reach Hoshido? Would they kill them so they didn't reach Hoshido? What if they knew she was lying if she dared to try preserving their precious secret?

She had no choice but to follow her trusty gut.

Too bad for her Soleil wasn't there, otherwise she probably would have dumped the responsibility on her. However, if she knew where Soleil was and what was happening to her, she would wonder if switching places would really do her any good. Both were in equally unpleasant situations: one was standing before a trio of psychic judges, the other was being tied down to a slab of rock.

Soleil wasn't the type to give in easily, which is exactly why she continued to try gaining freedom as the mysterious, but beautiful, women delivered her to a room. There, to her misfortune, more women were waiting. If Soleil couldn't fight out of the grasp of three, chances were she couldn't escape from three more. They forcefully set her on the aforementioned rock before their hands began working. Under normal circumstances, Soleil would have passed out due to ecstasy overload. Six lovely women, three holding her down, three others removing her top and underclothes... She wasn't terrified because she was embarrassed that she was being stripped (she was Soleil, and Soleil was never embarrassed). She was terrified because she didn't know why she was being stripped.

They didn't leave her to be exposed for long, thankfully, seeing that they hurriedly concealed her chest with tight gauze. The moment they were done, the women immediately tied her down to the table. When she stopped fighting, Soleil groaned at the realization that her best chance at escape had flown by. She had been too distracted to take notice and seize it.

Little did that matter. Her concerns turned to the hands that probed at her arm. When their expert fingers began undoing the makeshift bandage, Nina's handiwork, she worriedly began struggling again.

"Hold up! Don't untie that! I've got a wound that needs to stay covered!" Her only response would be a hand that gently, and quickly, pat her on the head. She wasn't sure what it meant, but she was willing to lay down money on the bet that it was supposed to comfort her. Too bad. She wasn't comforted whatsoever. The women studied the gaping hole where the front of an arrow once called home. They began discussing what was most likely the sight in the same language she didn't understand. It was a fast, but somehow attractive, tongue that did distract her for a short amount of time. What drug her out of her bout was the sight of the roll of gauze that was resurrected for business. They took her injured arm and pulled it away from her torso, where they began tying it again. Relieved, Soleil heaved a sigh. "Oh, I get it. You lovely ladies are nurses. Are you going to help my arm? Gee, that'd be great if you did." She paused when she turned to look at their work. Her face dropped again. "Oh... Um... Why're you wrapping the bandages around the wound? Aren't you going to cover it?"

The women didn't listen to her... Either that, or they couldn't understand a word she said, a more plausible theory. They continued with their work, which was strange. The gauze's layers, none of which shielded her wound, gradually grew thicker. Soon enough, it was as if the bandages had shaped into a window, as if the wound was a thing worthy of presentation. Upon tying the gauze taut, one woman, presumably the matron, spat different orders at the others. They dispersed.

One went to get a pot that was marked with blue paint.

Another retrieved a ladle.

Two secured the binds that kept Soleil to the slab.

And one, most questionable of all, went to a stove to retrieve a pot of boiling water.

Soleil's eyes widened suddenly, and, out of nervousness, a smile spread across her lips as she released a laugh. She eyed what she assumed was the matron.

"U-Um... What're you guys doing?"

The matron leaned over her body on the table. One of her gentle hands took one that was bound, the other softly ran her fingers through her hair. In the same attractive tongue, she whispered soothing words into her ears. Granted, she didn't know what those words meant, but at least they were pretty. Though she should've been lost in another world from such a treatment, Soleil couldn't help but be all the more worried.

Something bad was probably about to happen. Something really, really bad.

The nurses made way for the pot of water to come through. Seeing the sight of steam rising from the mouth made their patient fidgety, especially when they pulled her arm even further from the rest of her body. Being a decent puzzle solver, Soleil was slowly beginning to put things together.

Slowly...

Slowly...

When it finally clicked, she yelped and made several attempts to free herself. Her body thrashed recklessly, yet only got her stomach to move, seeing that her hands and ankles were tight against the table. In response to a command shouted from the matron, one woman threw herself on her belly in attempt to hold her down. One wasn't enough, so another joined in. After placing her palm on Soleil's mouth, the matron at last looked up to the pot-barer, then gave her a subtle nod. Nodding back, the other woman brought the steam closer to the wound until it was deathly close. Gently, she began tilting it until a waterfall came flowing out of the side and crashing down onto her skin.

The matron's hand wasn't quite enough to suppress the following screech. The screech led to the next screech, which led to another. Soleil didn't care about what made her look cool anymore. All she wanted was death. Death would be her one and only savior from a pain so great. Hoping the reaper would hear her call, she continued to bellow until her lungs threatened to give in. Any efforts she gave toward thrashing were tranquilized by the many who fought to hold her steady, and in the meantime, the stream continued to flow out of the pot and onto her wound. When it left the wound, it trickled down the side of her arm and slid off the side of the slab. The long, grueling process continued until the pot-barer called out over the ruckus and withdrew herself.

Quickly, the matron went to the vase branded by blue and the ladle. With nothing to muffle the screaming, many of the women soon found themselves abandoning Soleil's body to cover their ears. Lucky for them, she wouldn't be screaming for too much longer; after dipping the ladle in the pot, the matron delivered one last stream to the wound. It was a blueish liquid, thicker than water, but thinner than something such as molasses. The moment it landed on her skin, Soleil calmed, breathing furiously quick, but closing her eyes in relief. All the unbearable pain the boiling water had given her dissipated in a matter of seconds, effortlessly pacifying her. She remained still, relaxing, allowing her exposed belly to rise and drop at a slower and slower pace. While growing a smile, the matron regained herself and gave her patient another pat on the head.

If only Nina felt the same sort of relief. If only she could feel the wind sweep her off her feet and carry her to the soft mattress of a cloud. She wanted to be careless for a change, to see things finally tend to her interests. The world would be a better place had it been her friend, but reality reminded her that it was a union of forsakenness. It remained locked in the realm of fantasy, and there it was bound to stay.

Both were being led out of where they were taken by their respective leaders, returning to the mighty artery of the temple. One was enthusiastically skipping along, flinging her injured arm with no pain to handicap her, but the other hung her head as though she had been given a death sentence in the near future. Olive eyes were wide with terror, and heartbeats suddenly came in greater quantity. The rejuvenating factor was the reunion they had. Two pairs of feet scampered to meet one another.

"Soleil!" Nina huffed upon arrival, hunching nervously. Her gaze testified to her words. "Thank goodness... You're okay."

"Not just okay..." Soleil rolled up the sleeve of her top, which had been replaced on her body, to reveal one of her robust arms. There, instead of a gauze, or even a hole for that matter, was her wound that had already embarked its journey to closing. "They've healed me! There's some kind of miracle drug back there!"

For the moment, Nina was distracted from what made her dreadful. Impressed, she eased closer to examine the wound further, blinking in awe.

"W-Wow..." She turned to Fuga, who watched them from a distance. "You... You had her taken back there to get healed?"

"Of course." He smiled softly, deepening his wrinkles. "It is our custom. No guest of ours is to suffer so long as we have the supplies to help them. I had your friend be treated by the elixir of the dragon herb, a medicine both rare and powerful alike. Her wound should be gone within a few days if she does nothing to reopen it."

Soleil grinned, then excitedly swung her arm around a few times more.

"Boy, oh boy. It's too bad that stuff's rare, otherwise I'd buy a lifetime supply!" When she looked back at Nina, she would be surprised to see that her excitement still hadn't quite picked up. She was still grim. It wasn't uncommon, but it wasn't appropriate for the moment, it seemed. Her sonars detected that something was amiss.

To prove her conjectures correct, Nina released a huff.

"So you played me," she grumbled. "Here all this time I was thinking you weren't going to let me see her again..."

"Correct. I apologize for the heartache. It was necessary for the test, and I hope you can learn to realize that and steady yourself." Fuga laughed slightly. "As if we would hurt either of you. Ha!"

Nina's mood remained foul for the rest of the day, even when she and Soleil were given the entire visitor's hut to occupy. On top of having a cozy place to sleep, the two even had room service! To add to the luxury of room service, their bags were delivered, and further investigation revealed there to be nothing missing. To make the situation better, they even got to bathe in the first time in what felt like forever!

Soleil was, for good reason, curious as to why Nina carried herself with a sinking head throughout the day. Never, however, did she find it within herself to bring it up, much less inquire for the reasons. That was the case because the day was so packed with new things. New sights, new smells, new feelings. It was an experience, no doubt, so it kept them occupied for a long time.

But now that dinner was brought to their hut and placed before a fiery belly of the central furnace, things were to change.

Being aliens to the world of eastern cuisine, the two stared at the layout with utmost suspicion. Since the food was served with a pair of chopsticks, a tool they had yet to adapt to, they decided to compromise on their etiquette and eat with their hands. It was just the two of them eating in that hut anyhow, so it wasn't as though there was anyone to impress.

They took turns daring one another to try different things, usually what they thought looked the most disgusting for the sake of getting a laugh. To their delight, however, the majority of their prejudices were proven wrong. There was one, something that looked like a loaf of rice wrapped in a leaf, that was particularly tasty, as were balls of rice that hid meats and vegetables on the inside. There was one thing, a bowl of what seemed like sweet beans and daikons mixed in a strange sauce, that they chose to neglect. It was left to the side of their little dining area spread across the floor and forgotten about.

They reached a phase into dinner that had them quieter than before, mostly experimenting to themselves and reporting any astonishing discoveries. Soleil had far more than Nina, for she ate at a quicker pace. That wasn't something Soleil noticed at first, but repetition soon brought the fact to her attention. She stopped at the fifth piece of news.

"Ooh, these vegetables taste really good if you dip them in this... sauce..." The train of her speech, once oozing with excitement, faded into a confused, if not concerned, stare. She looked at Nina, who sat still at her side, eyes gazing dully down at the small bowl of water in her hands. In an instant, Soleil abandoned dinner, pivoted, then took the bowl from her palm. As she set it back on the ground, she peered deeper into her expression. "Hey... You don't look so good, Nina..."

Nina blinked a time or two before finally meeting her. Her gaze seemed to relay some of the burden onto her.

"I'm not," she said before dropping her head again. "I... made a mistake today, to put it bluntly..."

Soleil blinked too, but not because she was hesitant. She was just puzzled.

"Like what? I don't remember anything." She looked up pensively, then shrugged. "I mean, unless you want to count getting in a fight with that big guy back in the prison, but I don't think you're entirely responsible for that."

"No, it's not that, I..." She chewed on her lip. "While you were taken to where you had your arm worked on, I was led to see the village elders. It was like they knew everything about me. They knew I went by a nickname without me even telling them. They knew I grew up in a different realm than this one..." She looked up, wide-eyed. "They even knew what I wrote in page twenty-three in my favorite diary! Hrngh!"

"So what's the problem?"

"They made me tell the truth, Soleil! If I didn't, they'd know and have us both killed!" She tried to calm her breath when it escalated. "The Chief and the elders know we're from Nohr, and not just harmless ol' Nohrians; they know we were sent by the army to do espionage work in the capital. There's no telling what they're going to do with us now that they know. Did you hear the chief back in the prison? He said he and Emperor Sumeragi used to be friends! I'm certain they must've been cute together, so that's why I can't imagine him letting us go scot-free. They can call themselves neutral all they want, but I know which side they like. It's obviously Hoshido. To make sure we don't get our work done, they're either going to kill us or keep us here until the war's over. I'm not even sure about the last option. They might make us stay until we're dust and bones."

Soleil, while thinking to herself, remained particularly still. A few times, she blinked, but they were slight and gentle in nature. A rare happening for her, the girl known for her rashness. She smiled before long.

"I don't think there's much to worry about."

"Not a surprise to hear that from you."

"No, really! If they were going to hurt us, they wouldn't bother offering so much hospitality, would they? They used a rare herb for my wound, and now they're giving us an entire house and dinner. Why would they give so much to someone they were just going to kill in the end?"

Shrugging, Nina avoided her face.

"There's no telling what they're thinking. What if they like playing games with their victims? All they have to do is lure them into a place of security, and when the moment is right, pounce!"

Her sudden exclamation made Soleil jump in surprise. It was only a matter of time, a short time, before she regathered herself and drew near again, however. Nina's theories weren't likely, but that didn't mean they were complete bogus. Soleil was well aware of the fact that the world was filled with people who had sadistic tendencies. A prime example would be someone like Niles. Heck, inheritance of that trait could even be seen in Nina, though it was more hidden. The apple must not have fallen too far from the tree.

Though she thought Nina's fears were silly, Soleil refused to laugh, nor mock, her. She drew closer, and, when she was least expecting it, snatched her neighbor in her arms and embraced her. With her arm feeling in tip-top shape, her grip had the opportunity to be more merciless than ever.

"Aw, it's nothing to worry about. Even if those guys did try to hurt us after all this, I'll fight 'em off of you. You're too cute for their ugly fingers to touch."

Strangely, Nina remained still, even while she was pulled closer to her captor.

"Against a bunch of burly men? Sorry, but I don't think you can pull it off."

"That's okay, because I won't be using pure strength alone. I have the power of sheer love on my side!" While maintaining her hold on Nina, she fell backward, pulling her along for the ride. That was something Nina happened to have a problem with, which was most likely why she released a shout as they fell. When Soleil's back hit the ground, she held Nina tighter, giggling in the meantime. "I love you, Nina!"

No longer did Nina stay still. There were two conjectures she had at the moment. One said that Soleil confessed such things to distract her from her worries (and it was a surefire method), and another said that Soleil was confessing because she was kidding around. That was Soleil's sense of humor, she'd long learned. It was reasonable to assume reality was a mixture of both ideas.

Because the room suddenly gained an air of thickness, Nina finally struggled out of Soleil's arms, then rolled off of her and onto the floor. Her expression darkened in the meantime, and she went out of her way to make sure she had a watcher.

"You're not serious, right?"

She wouldn't have seen how Soleil's eyes dulled. The shadow was only there for a second before being masked by the artificial light of excitement. Those eyes closed, and she slapped on another stupid smile.

"Ha! Of course I'm not serious! Whether I was in love with you or not, you'll never know. There's no way you'll ever be converted to see the true beauty of a girl's love." One of her fingers, her index, poked her in the forehead. "Your loss."

Relieved, the other sighed and laughed back.

"My loss? Sorry, but you're the one who's missing out. Men are among the greatest things that could ever happen to a woman!"

Their argument beyond that was fake.

It was all fake, and they both knew it. The one thing they didn't know was the fact that the other was aware of the fact that it was fake. They both thought they were alone in their thoughts, never sharing a thing.

The isolation of two identical worlds made them cold.

They spewed pseudo-hateful comment after pseudo-hateful comment during their age-old debate. It was a religious motion they were obligated to follow.

Their words became feigned.

Cold.

Inanimate.

The distance continued into bedtime, which did not follow too far after dinner. Without exchanging much between one another, they worked together to pile the bowls atop one another. Some were empty, and some weren't. The dirty dishes would be abandoned on the opposite side of the room when they migrated to where a pallet lay spread across the floor. They weren't near one another when they undressed into their sleeping clothes, guided only by the dying fire in the furnace and the moonlight creeping inside through the window.

Soleil kept her body covered in her underclothes, which was modest for her standards.

Nina didn't shed much besides her sandals and the holders that maintained her braids.

When they finally put themselves to sleep, they didn't lay as close as they normally would. It was an odd decision, for the desert grew cold and unprotected at night. A thoughtful soul, Soleil allowed Nina to have most of the pallet and neared the border between blanket and cold rocky ground. Spooky howls of the wind broke against the fighting walls of their abode. The subtle creaks of aging windmills harmonized with the glimmering sand that flew along with the breeze.

They didn't even tell one another goodnight, for they were far too lost in their own isolation to toss their concerns on the other. They lost sight of their faces. Trembling took home in their hands and core. Silence drove a wedge between the backs that faced one another.

The longer into the night they ventured, the harder they found it to sleep. They could feel the other's restlessness. The way they breathed in the quiet of the night. The way they steadily eased further away from one another until the bed almost wasn't inhabited at all.

Who could be their savior from the deathly silence?

Would there be a savior?

Would that savior refuse to come and leave the rest of their venture to such a somber air?

No.

They had to be their own saviors.

They had to face things themselves, stoic in the eye, even when they were terrified in the core.

Nina was the foremost to realize such a thing.

She started by slowly breathing in, sucking as much air as she could until her lungs screamed in agony, similar to how they had earlier that morning. For a while, those lungs withheld that air with no regard to the burning that erupted fairly soon. Before her vision could cloud completely, she released it. The huff was a warning to Soleil, who may have figured herself to be the only one to remain awake.

"You weren't joking, were you?" Her tone echoed in a room that had no echo. It sent a fire to Soleil's chest, eyes widening. If she pretended to stay asleep, perhaps she could avoid the whole ordeal. It was a steady plan that she chose to attempt in carrying through... Except Nina saw through her efforts seamlessly. "I know you're awake, so answer me."

Defeated, Soleil lifted her head, where she worriedly peeked over her shoulder. An alien emotion was clouding in her eyes. It was fear.

The bridge between two gaps erected at a frightening pace.

"Um... When?"

"This isn't a difficult question. Yes or no?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

To her surprise, the conflict did not extend into simple words of disagreement. Rather, Nina rolled over, fixed a sturdy glare on her neighbor, then sighed.

That glare on her back was something Soleil could feel probing at her spine, poking each vertebrae, every joint, tickling her to the point of restlessness.

That glare, as if it wrapped a tight leash around her neck, yanked her back.

That glare met her when she too rolled over.

She began to shiver beneath the intensity, the pressure, the anxiety. Her face reddened, hiding itself in shame.

Their worlds collided.

"It's not something I can help." Somber. "I just... It's been on my mind so much lately..." Deadened. "And I know you'd never be happy to hear that. I was hoping... well... you know... that I could ignore it and push it away, but..."

Unreadable.

"I guess it was bound to happen eventually, the longer we were together..."

"N-Nina, I..." Hidden. "I want your forgiveness. I'm sorry I let myself even think things would go the way I thought they would when I said that. I'm sorry I let my tongue get the best of me. I shouldn't have said what I said. I knew it would destroy our friendship and I let it slip anyway. I should've respected you more, I just..."

Silence.

An unpredictable, inescapable, entrapping silence. One part of it was comforting, another was excruciating.

"Soleil... I've been thinking... wondering, actually." Nina sighed. "If you're telling me the truth, I want to at least know what it is about me that you find attractive."

The other's eyes widened, though still branded by fear.

"Would I have the time to tell you everything before the sun comes up?" she whimpered. "I-I mean... You're cute, but that's the least of my reasons. I think you're so cool, Nina. You're always collected and thoughtful. You know how to improvise, even when your back's against the wall. You're so skilled at what you do, and your tone... your voice... It's incredible! It's incredible how you can sound so humble and intelligent and diminishing and constructive all at once! I've always avoided snarky people, but you... Something about your snark reminds me that you really, really care! You challenge me. You make me want to better myself! You're the first in the entire army I've felt was comfortable with me, even when we're fighting every chance we can get!" She paused to stare, wondering if she would get a reaction. Instead, her voice only calmed. "That's the reason why I wanted to come with you on this trip so badly. I wanted to make sure you were okay... Like I can't trust you in anyone else's care. I wanted to be the one by your side because I knew how much I care about you, and it's more than I've ever cared about anyone!" She froze suddenly, staring as the flush creeping across her cheeks evolved into a crimson fury. Awkwardly, her eyes darted away. "S-Sorry... Did I go overboard there? That must've made you really uncomfortable..."

The response was ambiguous, for Nina simply rolled onto her back, legs sprawled as wide as her arms. Hesitantly, her softening green eyes pondered upon the mysteries of the ceiling. There were cracks spreading across it, but they posed little threat. Even if they did, she probably wouldn't have cared. The moment captivated her so, dragging her deeper into a state of wonder.

"I think you're giving me too much credit," she replied simply as she adjusted her position. Curious, Soleil eased closer.

"How could you-"

"But it's miraculous how this is making you sincere for a change. I don't think I can remember the last time you've been so serious for an occasion that didn't involve life or death." She released a sharp breath with a smirk. "Even then, I don't know if you're serious during those kinds of occasions either. But this one, you certainly are..."

And silence followed.

Was that all Nina was going to say?

Was that her entire two cents?

It must have been, for Nina did not say a single thing more through out the night. Neither did Soleil.