I had a much-needed, quick nap and was back with the group exactly 2 and a half hours after we had dinner.
I was nervous as I entered the room, but Rose had mentioned that I'd meet everyone I'd be working with at dinner. So, I think it was safe to assume that I would not be running into Adrian at all during this trip. He was likely still in Palm Springs and I was relieved.
Everyone from dinner was in the room, except for Abe. Which was an even bigger relief than Adrian not being here.
I set my alchemist kit down on a nearby table and walked over to where Sonya and Lissa seemed to be stationed. "What are you working on?"
"We're trying to get the magic to stay adhered to this bangle, but I can feel it leaking out over time." Lissa answered.
"What material is the bangle made out of?"
"Silver… why?" Sonya asked, turning to look at me.
"Have you considered covering the bangle in gold after it has the magic within it? Maybe the gold will help seal it in. That's what it does for alchemist tattoos."
Lissa and Sonya looked at eachother.
"Do you think that could work?" Lissa asked.
Sonya shrugged. "I don't see why we couldn't at least try it." She turned to me again. "Would you be able to help with that?"
"Yes, but I'd need a few components."
"I'm sure my old man could help with that." Rose said as she approached us with a donut in hand. "Write down what you need and I'll give it to him."
I walked back to my alchemist kit, took out a pen and small notebook, and sat down to write what I would need.
"Where is Abe?" I heard Lissa ask Rose.
There was a beat of silence. "You… you don't really wanna know."
I heard Lissa groan while Sonya laughed.
Almost exactly an hour later, Rose walked back into the room with all the components I had asked for. They cleared a table for me and I got to work. I was glad she came back so quickly because I had already gone through all of my emails and was running out of things to do while waiting.
The process needed to be done properly, slowly and meticulously. It took me another hour and a half to finish. At this point it was after midnight and the impact of the nap had run its course. I was ready to go to bed.
Sonya, Nina and Lissa walked over.
"Can you still feel the magic?" Nina asked them, looking at the now gold bangle drying on the table.
"Yes, but it's still leaking." Sonya responded.
"It's slower, though. That's a good sign." Lissa said optimistically.
"Well, I think the only thing we can do now is wait a few hours and see how much of the magic leaks out." Sonya turned to me. "Thanks for your help, Sydney. I think it's best if you just go to sleep. You can come back once you're well rested in a few hours. We'll just be doing hourly checks on the bangle."
"Okay." I answered as Rose approached me.
"Would you be okay if Dimitri escorted you back to your hotel room this time? I have some things to catch up on."
"Sure." At that moment I realized that I wasn't sure who I felt safer around: Rose or Dimitri. Maybe it was tied.
"Perfect." She said with a smile. She nodded at Dimitri, who immediately joined us.
"Ready to go?" He asked me.
"Am I? I could fall asleep standing up right now."
He laughed and guided me out of the building.
We walked side by side back towards my hotel. It was a nice, warm night. Like earlier, many were out but it bothered me less this time. Maybe I was just too tired to care.
"How are you liking your new assignment?" Dimitri asked. "I heard you moved recently."
"Yes, it's been two months… and I like it. It's boring compared to Russia and Palm Springs, but I don't mind that too much."
"Glad you like it. Boring can be a good thing. Less problems."
"I hope so." I said as we entered the hotel lobby.
Dmitri turned to face me. "Well, have a good night. Let me know if you need anything. You know how to reach me or Rose."
I nodded. "I will, thank you. I'll see you in a few hours."
He left and I walked straight to the elevators. I couldn't get to my room fast enough. As I was waiting for the doors to close, I heard a voice say "hold the elevator, please!"
Immediately, I froze.
Maybe I'm hallucinating. Yes, that's it. I'm just so tired that-
Suddenly, he came into view.
Adrian.
As soon as he saw me he stopped walking. He stopped moving. He looked as shocked to see me as I was to see him. He was standing with his mouth open, eyes wide, and a duffel bag falling off his shoulder when the elevator doors fully closed.
