New Home [lmr/Ob]

[0bserver]

Oh crap...

The very second Nika pulled Sinya, she knew something was wrong. She had completely forgotten about the shoulder! Underneath the robe, her wound was not as obvious as when she was in her dancer suit, with that white bandage glaringly noticeable. The fear and the calling 'Miss' returned immediately, the girl seeming to agree with anything the green twi'lek would say.

Smooth move, Nika. Reeeeeeally smooth.

It was obviously too early for this kind of 'convincing'. Any word said in a less softer tone would promptly send the poor thing into her half-catatonic, obedient state of mind. Removing the hand from the damaged shoulder, Nika brought the Lethan close to herself, in a hug.

- Sorry, Sinya. I did not mean to hurt or scare you... Your shoulder will be treated soon - tomorrow we're going to see the doctor about it. Please, don't be scared... - she breathed out, almost begging the Lethan to not be so afraid and obedient. And hoped that honest concern will go through to her...

Carefully, Nika let go of the girl, feeling ashamed herself for being so impatient. To be honest, patience was never a virtue she possessed, and judging so far, Sinya would need LOTS of that on her road to recovery. For practically no reason, that goal became among the primary ones in her head. Then again, the green twi'lek wasn't much for reasons in her goals. She just followed her heart.

The moment, and awkward silence that followed, was suddenly interrupted, however, by a rather strong knock at the door. Nika blinked, turning her head towards the sound, a bit of a grin appearing on her face. While it may have sounded intimidating, but in truth, none of the twi'leks used the doorbell when they returned. Knocking like that meant only one thing...

Dad's home!

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Nika apologized, but the damage was already done. Sinya was wary and nervous again, her relaxation yanked away rudely. When Nika looked away at the door and released her younger charge, the Lethan girl lowered herself back down onto the couch and curled up in a small ball, staring at a patch of carpet on the floor.

There was nothing noteworthy or special about the carpet. It was completely ordinary and unremarkable in every way, but she wasn't staring because it was interesting. She was staring because she didn't want to look at anything frightening, and she always kept her eyes open when her thoughts strayed. That way the images in her mind weren't so vivid.

At least she was warm now and on something comfortable. For that at least she was grateful.

Sinya'anu slowly forgot where she was and who was around completely, and her old habits creeped back in. Soon she was softly singing to herself, just a few scattered lyrics of old songs, subdued and a little sad.

While she was capable of projecting well, she was a little too frightened to do so now, and her voice was barely above a whisper. It was equal parts sad and endearing.

Not even the smell of the food she'd grown up on was reaching into her now.

[0bserver]

Oh great... now I feel bad.

Nika's mood suddenly fell down, seeing how Sinya acted towards what she did in advance. It was... a bit aggravating, actually. The green twi'lek did not do something too horrible! She just spoke in a slightly harsher tone, that's all! Nika sighed sadly, and shook her head. - I'm trying my best, and look where it gets me... - she muttered underneath her breath, and left Sinya alone for a while, to open the door, mustering a grin on her face, which was a challenge to do.

At least, until the door finally went open, and the green twi'lek embraced the one knocking on it. It was a middle-aged green twi'lek, in a worn mechanic uniform, with smudges and stains of oil all over it. He gasped in a bit of amazement, before a warm, and a somewhat sad grin appeared on his face, and he patted the back of his daughter's head.

- Daddy! You're finally back!

- Ufff... yes dear, I am... Don't cling too closer, or you will get dirt on you too... - the man said happily, but tiredness was obviously creeping through his voice.

- Aww dad, you know how much I don't care about that!

- Eh-heh, yeah. You always were daddy's little girl.

The sounds at the entrance were heard by Sienn, who has just finished cooking things for the family dinner. She had left the room, on the way to the corridor, in order to meet her husband, when she noticed Sinya being curled on the couch and singing something incoherent. Worry crossed the older twi'lek's face, as she approached, her hand carefully coming across the slender body.

- Sinya? Sinya? Are you alright?

Maybe the wound got worse? Or she had a fever? Carefully, Sienn sat next to the girl, and put her hand over the girl's forehead, to check its temperature. She did not feel hot or anything... What was going on?

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya vaguely felt she was being touched, but she didn't jump. She was so walled off in her mind at the moment that she only really took notice when Sienn touched her face, and then her eyes blinked, and she looked up at the green woman, her singing now stopped.

The look on her face wasn't expectant, or even frightened or alarmed. It was instead completely vacant, as if she had literally nothing on her mind. No worries, no emotions, and not even a single, solitary thought. There was a reason for that, as the only thing running through her mind was musical notes.

Her reactions to stress were rarely good without someone holding her hand every second and encouraging her. However, once she was contacted and convinced she wasn't going to be hurt, she tended to become a little more at ease, and that was the case this time. Sinya became a little more alert, and she looked around, taking in the room as if it were for the first time. She could smell the food cooking, and if not for the look of Sienn, she might have thought she was home herself.

"Am I home?" She asked in a disoriented fashion in Twi'leki, looking around again. Her eyes promptly spotted the Twi'lek man and she fell silent, swiftly looking away.

In her experience, men were the ones who hurt. Women were nice and kind, but men came with fists and shock prods, and they hurt you. She hadn't seen a man in her free life save for the man who treated her shoulder, and she was nervous. Her frame of reference for them was unspeakable acts and pain.

Sinya didn't know that Nika's dad was a perfectly nice person.

[0bserver]

- So how was your working day today?

- About average... Am tired though, had to deal with a Correlian freighter all day, and I don't know how that hunk of junk was still able to fly. I swear, one would have to punch the data screen just to make it work! And the owner even seemed 'proud' of it! Well, can't be too proud with broken ion engines, right?

- Totally! Anyway, let's go inside! Dinner's ready. Oh! And we have a guest.

- Oh? A guest? That's unexpected...

With that, the two walked into the room, only to see Sienn trying to bring Sinya back to coherency, and ... succeeding in that, slightly. When her husband walked in, the woman silently stood up, and approached, hugging and planting a kiss on his cheek. Her expression still did not change from worried.

- Glad you're back, Karr.

- Same... is this Nika's friend? - he whispered into his wife's ear, noticing how strange and fearful the lethan twi'lek had become when he walked in. Sienn nodded, and replied quietly:

- Yes, I'll tell you more once we're alone... - Sienn answered and cleared her throat, soon after inviting everyone else to the kitchen. Karr looked at Sinya one more time, quizzically, before shrugging and following into the room, from where tasty smells of food were coming. Nika stayed a little back, putting her hand over Sinya's, and holding it lightly.

- Would you like to join us at dinner? Or would you prefer eating alone?

This was a legit question. Nika was not stupid, and she noticed that the lethan was scared when her father walked in. Knowing she had been a rape victim.. Wasn't really that surprising too.

It's just temporary... I hope...

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya looked a little bewildered when the green Twi'lek didn't answer her question, instead going over to the man and touching him with her lips. She seemed at ease with him, and so did Nika, but the Lethan teenager still felt a little awkward and uncomfortable. She avoided eye contact with everyone, staring down at her own bare feet instead.

Until Nika touched her hand.

Then the Twi'lek girl looked up and made eye contact, all her nervousness translating into her look. Nevertheless, she felt a little of it ebbing away as Nika didn't seem worried.

It was a little funny actually, the way Sinya was so dependent on Nika to know what was safe and what was dangerous, to know if she'd been good or bad. Certainly the red-skinned girl wasn't capable of telling what to wear or what to do on her own. She'd had literally no free will for three years, and old habits died hard.

Nika asked her whether she wanted to eat dinner with them or alone, and the Twi'lek blinked in surprise. On one level she'd just assumed she'd eat with them, but on another she now realized perhaps that was an imposition, that Nika's family wouldn't want a stranger with them at the table. Perhaps she should eat alone...

But on the other hand, she felt lonely just being away from Nika for a few minutes, and she was still frightened that the other woman would leave and not come back. Sinya didn't want to be away from her.

"I... I want to eat with you, if you don't mind Miss Nika," Sinya said very softly, avoiding eye contact for fear of seeing rejection.

[0bserver]

- Awesome! Me and the rest of the family are eager to have you at our table. C'mon! Everyone else is waiting for us!

With that, Nika took Sinya's hand, and practically dragged her to the kitchen, where everything was already set. There were only three chairs, because the family consisted of three, but that problem was solved by Karr, him pulling a bucket to sit on for himself, unceremoniously. Sienn gave him a stern look, to which the man grinned innocently.

- Can't you go get another one for yourself from the bedroom?

- Lazy. - the male twi'lek replied nonchalantly, making his wife sigh and put a hand to her forehead. Men. It figures. And just at this moment, Nika and Sinya appeared at the kitchen. Smells of good, tasty food hit their nostrils. Nika took her place at Dad's side, and Sinya was offered to sit between her and Sienn. Her bowl of Rylothan soup and mush fungus was there. In fact, everyone had the same meal today. Nika's mom figured that since three people would not mind it, she'd have no reason to make a separate meal for herself.

- Have a seat, girls, and lets get to eating. I'm starving! - Karr said, itching on his bucket impatiently, eyes darting towards the mush fungus, before moving to look at the Lethan girl.

- Your name's Sinya, right? I'm Karr, Nika's dad. Pleased to meet you in our home. How d'ya like it here? - he asked amicably, lending a hand for a handshake. Nika blinked, seeing that, not sure how the lethan would react, and leaned closer to him, whispering in his ear:

- Easy, a bit. She's kinda shy... - to that, Karr only pushed her a bit back, chuckling, and replying with the silent lekku language: - Easy, Nika. You're making this awkward.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya was practically dragged by the arm into the dining room, where Nika took a seat, leaving just one place to sit. The Lethan girl hovered near it for a second before tentatively sitting, a little apprehensive about being an equal for once. After all, she was a slave, and these were successful free people.

The red Twi'lek eyed the food hungrily. Bowls of rich brown stew, and a platter of crisp munch fungus. There was even silverware, real utensils, and napkins. It was a little overwhelming. Suddenly Sinya felt a hunger, her stomach rumbling. She didn't know when the last time she'd eaten had been. It was possibly days ago.

The man, Nika's father, extended a hand, and Sinya realized she was supposed to take it. She was frightened to touch him, but she was also frightened to be rude and spurn his gesture. As a compromise, she reached out for a very quick shake, drawing her hand back and staring at the bowl as she replied, carefully avoiding his gaze.

"It is very nice Master Karr," The red-skinned woman said softly, still staring at her food instead of eating it.

She half-expected at any moment to be sent away from the table and to be alone again, but she didn't want to devour all her food instantly, and she couldn't start before they started.

It wouldn't be the right thing to do.

Her old habits were still in place. Don't speak unless spoken to. Always defer to those with authority. Never make the first move.

And so she sat silently, staring at her food.

[0bserver]

...

Sinya never fails to bring awkwardness as the best dish of the dinner table. When she called Karr 'master', Sienn just froze, and Nika let out an inaudible sigh, putting a hand over her face. She told the lethan to not call anyone that way! And now she called Dad, the nicest of people, like that! I will have a lot to work on with her... But... she's really not to blame, is she? It's not her fault! - Nika's mind immediately apologized for the girl, and her stern look softened, looking at Sinya with a mix of pity. She must have been punished for not calling everyone that way...

- You meant 'Mister', right? No need to call me that either, hun, we're pretty informal over here. I get enough 'mister's from my work. Please, just Karr. - the man chuckled softly, his dislike of being called 'master' much more veiled than Nika's. He was an adult after all. Staring to the left, then to the right, then at his bowl again, he blinked, and asked:

- Well? What are we waiting for? Let's dig in!

And that was all the signal they needed. The three green twi'lek's soon were busy eating their stew. It was nice and hot, its earthy smell reminding them of Ryloth, for good or bad. Nika started eating her own, constantly watching Sinya's bowl however, to see if she was eating, and if she liked it. It went to a degree of ridiculousness, when the green twi'lek missed her mouth with a spoon, instead spilling it over herself.

- Oh for the love of...

- Now now... if you'd pay more attention towards your bowl, that wouldn't happen. Here's a towel. And Sinya, would you like the mush fungus? I heated it up just for you...

- Hey! What about me?

- You ate a whole bunch earlier today. And I did not marry a pudgy twi'lek.

The green twi'lek trio then laughed at the joke, enjoying each other's company, but Nika felt a bit of worry touch her still... She did not want Sinya feel like she was 'an extra wheel' over here...

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya was too busy staring at her bowl, wincing over her latest faux pas to notice Nika placing her palm onto her face. He didn't want to be called anything special. Just Karr.

"Yes Karr," She whispered submissively in reply, her voice barely audible.

Luckily, they moved on quickly, and Sinya furtively glanced at the plates of others as they ate, her eyes hungry but still a little afraid to eat with them as equals. The Lethan girl was keenly aware that they were a happy middle class family, and she was a nobody plucked out of a dungeon and taken in out of charity.

While Sinya could be simple at times, she wasn't stupid. She knew she wasn't equal here in terms of social standing, and she wouldn't have dared to consider herself as such. She was far too frightened to do that.

Sinya hadn't even eaten a spoonful until Sienn prompted her to take a piece of munch fungus. Hesitantly a bare red hand moved over the table to reach a platter, and picked up a single piece of fungus, pulling it back to her plate and staring at it for a few seconds before dipping it into the meat stew, and pulling it out.

Tentatively, she took a bite, and instantly her eyes widened.

She hadn't tasted something so beautiful since she'd been at home, and the memories were flooding back. She could see her father in her mind, and her mother. Her siblings were all around the table, and they'd had meals just like this.

Greedily the Twi'lek bit into the fungus, and sent spoonful after spoonful of stew up to her mouth. She ate rapidly, like she hadn't eaten in a very long time, and as she did her eyes started to water.

Soon tears were rolling down her cheeks, but she didn't dare to say anything about her emotions. She didn't want to trouble them, she didn't want to be a disturbance. All she wanted was her moment.

[0bserver]

- Hey, looks like someone was hungry after all!

Nika only chuckled, along with the rest of the family, when Sinya proceeded to maw away the food in her plate faster than the three of them combined. Nobody minded though - all three were well-aware of the girl's situation and felt nothing but pity for her - this may as well have been her first good meal in a while. The green twileks decided not to notice that the girl was crying, in order to make her feel out of comfort zone, treating it like it was perfectly normal.

The rest of the meal went relatively calm, without anything out of place. The result was four twi'leks with full bellies, except maybe Karr, who was not too happy about not being allowed to eat too much munch fungus, but that was their own thing. Empty plates were left on the table to be washed later, and Nika decided to be the first to stand up from the table.

- Aaaah, needed that. Thanks. Tube food from the dispenser back at the starship was starting to get old. I'm stuffed! - the green twi'lek flailed her arms in the air silly-like, before shooting a glance towards Sinya again. Surely she would want to rest after the tiresome space trip, wouldn't she?

- Sinya, do you feel tired? This place has plenty of rooms, and you can pick one where you'll be staying! C'mon, I'll show you around. Oh, and don't forget to thank Mom for the wonderful meal! - she said, excitedly, and made a gesture for the Lethan twi'lek to follow.

And frankly, I wanna take a nap too... - she thought to herself, and yawned a bit, covering her mouth with a palm, as she waited for her new friend to hurry up and get going. [

She wouldn't mind staying alone in a room... would she?

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Sinya nodded hesitantly when asked if she was tired, glancing back at her empty plate and remembering what it was like to be full. She'd been underfed for years, subsisting off of flavorless paste in small quantities for far too long.

Suddenly there was good food, and enough food. Her stomach felt genuinely full to the point of bursting, and she felt like her gluttony had been excessive. Even though she'd just had one bowl of stew and one piece of munch fungus, she felt like she was eating Nika out of house and home.

This kind of kindness and generosity, it was foreign to her. Sinya could barely remember feeling like a part of something.

Nika prompted her to get up and told her to thank Sienn, so the Lethan girl stood and did both, making tentative and hesitant eye contact the way she did.

"Thank you Miss Sienn," She said in Ryl before looking to Nika again and noticing her angelic rescuer looked impatient.

The petite woman pushed her chair back in, as she remembered you were supposed to do at a nice dinner (though where she'd learned that she couldn't remember), and she walked softly over to Nika and looked at her, waiting.

[0bserver]

- Let's go already!

Nika almost dragged Sien out, too eager to show her the rest of the house. Doors to rooms were opened - nobody bothered closing them anyway. So she showed all three bedrooms that were unoccupied - two of them were small and cozy, having a table, a bookshelf, and a bed with a nightlight hanging on the wall. The walls were painted in brown, earthy ornaments similar to those on Ryloth, and were giving the room a bit of... warmness. Warmness of the planet that many Twileks called home.

One room, however, was bigger. It housed a large bed, several wardrobes, a chair, and a table. The painting on the walls, however... was different. It was sky-blue, and there were white dots doting the ceiling. Nika smiled, pushing Sinya a bit in, and said:

- I painted this room myself. It doesn't look much during the day, but when it is dark...

With that, Nika closed the door tightly, and, wrapping one arm around the girl, keeping her close, in case she'd be frightened, turned off the lights. And ... suddenly, the room has... changed. The white dots, they now glowed, like stars in the night sky, and careful brushes of the same glowing paint across the walls imitated a mystic wind, or a blizzard, lighting the room in its alluring, yet haunting light. Nika always wanted to go to space, and... well, this room, at times, helped her imagine things of distant travels to stars beyond. That goal of her was now achieved. But the room kept its allure, even now.

- Do you like it? You can stay here, if you want.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

For Sinya, the experience Nika showed her was magical. In the light, she'd thought the room was pretty, and very big compared to her cramped slave quarters, but when the green Twi'lek held her close and turned off the lights, her nervousness promptly died and was replaced by a childlike wonder.

On Sleheyron there'd always been too much light pollution to make out the stars well, and they looked like tiny dots that could barely be seen. As they'd arrived on Naboo during twilight hours rather than night, she still hadn't seen a proper night sky.

As silly as it might have seemed to someone else watching in, for Sinya, these 'stars' were beautiful, mysterious, and entrancing. They represented something she'd never seen, as she'd been in a semi-delusional trance for the whole of her first space flight, and hadn't been in a position to enjoy the stars.

So this was a new experience, and she couldn't stop staring at the ceiling.

"It's beautiful Nika," Sinya said quietly, resting her head on the much taller Twi'lek's shoulder.

It was gorgeous, and she loved it, but she felt it was a little too bold to ask for it, even though Nika had offered. It was so big, and it was Nika's special room, how could she just take it? But on the other hand, she did want it.

"I... I can have it?" She repeated uncertainly. "You don't mind me taking your special room?"

Just saying that much made Sinya feel bold. The petite Lethan girl wasn't used to asking anything. Strictly speaking, she hadn't asked for anything, but she had asked about something offered, seeking clarification. For her, that was very adventurous.

For once though, she wasn't afraid of being physically hurt. Now she was just worried about being rejected, or of being kicked out. Relying on the kindness of other people had never been something she could do before now, but she really had no choice. Not now.

[0bserver]

Who knew that doing kind and generous things would be so... rewarding.

Not in monetary or any other kind of mercantile way, but in feelings. Nika felt it now, she felt ... strange warmth rising in her chest, and a soft smile appearing on her face, when she watched Sinya. She was... so childish. And adorable, in her own way. Looking at a mere paint-job, as if it were an act of magic. The green twi'lek remembered her own reaction the first time she turned off the light. Even though it was her own creation, the girl felt completely mesmerized at the beauty of stars beyond her reach. And the very next moment Nika felt ... old.

I've been to many stars I drew here as a child... After traveling around... they don't hold that much sway anymore.

Nika still loved her adventuring, getting into trouble, and rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, when escaping danger by the width of a hair... It was fun, it was her life. But it did not mean she was not conscious about the dark corners of the Galaxy. Sinya was a living representation here. A proof to all naive kids who dream of exploring the distant stars...

The Galaxy is not a friendly place.

With that, Nika hugged the Lethan from behind, moving her closer to the large bed, and sitting down, together, smiling and carefully petting the girl's shoulder. - Of course I wouldn't mind. I give it to you, and you could stay here as long as you wish. You should sleep now, the Hyperspace travel must have been exhausting, so... make yourself comfortable. - she said, and opened the corner of the bedsheet for her, before standing up, and stretching herself. A wide yawn was given - the green twi'lek was tired too.

- I think I will hit the hay as well... If you need me, I will be in the next room... - Nika said to Sinya, turning around, and walking towards the door, but suddenly stopping. Would Sinya want to be alone right now? She has been alone for so long... - Nika thought, giving the other twi'lek a worried look.

- Is that alright?

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Nika was giving it to her? The special room was hers now, just like that?

Sinya couldn't quite believe it, and she sat wide-eyed on the edge of the bed where Nika had set her down. As long as she wished. So, this was like a home. It was a real home, and a kind of family....

Part of the Lethan Twi'lek thought this might have been a newer and nicer slave quarters, but only for a very fleeting second as she swiftly realized that was impossible. Nika had rescued her, because she was kind and good, and she wouldn't just put her in another tiny cell.

Nika had given her a beautiful room of her very own, the first thing she'd owned in a long time. And that was the sweetest thing Sinya could remember, the most beautiful thing she'd seen, and the best she'd felt in her heart for a very long time.

The green woman stood and excused herself, walking to the door, and Sinya tried to hide her look of nervous disappointment. She didn't want Nika to leave her alone, even if she was safe. She'd just feel a little safer with her guardian angel there for her. She'd feel a bit less alone if she had someone else around.

Nika asked if it was alright, and Sinya said exactly what she thought. Or rather, exactly what she thought Nika wanted to hear.

"Yes Miss Nika."

The subtle signs of her lie were clearly visible to a keen observer. The lack of eye contact was the chief sign, as Sinya was staring at the floor. She also had a rather glum look on her face as she slowly started to sandwich herself under the sheets, looking away.

Never trouble your master, never make them distressed. If they want something, give it to them. If they don't want you to do something, never do it. And above all, don't speak your mind. Not even your mind is your own.

Those were the lessons Sinya had learned for three years, and they had shaped her into nearly the perfect slave, and most definitely not the perfect free woman. There was a great deal left to do.

[0bserver]

She wan't good at lying.

Synya wasn't, that is. And Nika could clearly catch the vibe in her voice, without even looking at her, and after she looked, the obviousness of the lethan girl's lie was made even more obvious. The green twi'lek sighed, shaking her head. She could understand that Sinya was trying to 'keep a low profile' and not ask for much, but... uhh...

She was ... kind of cute that way. In her eyes, a twinge of fear could be seen. Fear of being left all alone - the kind one could observe in little children, when their mommy's away somewhere. That realization made Nika's heart melt. It felt... good to know that someone needs their presence so completely. It gave the feeling of being ... needed. A new sensation, but... pleasant, regardless.

- Oh, you...

And without any warning, Nika just jumped on that bad, landing roughly next to Sinya, who already hid underneath the blankets, and bounced a bit, grinning widely, and tugging a blanket under the lethan. - Silly girl, there's no need to hide your wishes any more. Ask for whatever you wish, no need to lie and pretend you need nothing. I'll stay with you for a while, if you're afraid of sleeping alone.

The green twi'lek never bothered getting undressed, or even getting underneath the blankets. She just laid there, lazily, and reached for a pillow to pull underneath her head. The girl was used to sleeping clothed, and in almost any place, so much that it felt a bit weird under a blanket. Stretching out, and patting Sinya on the head, Nika yawned, and laid on her stomach, grabbing the pillow with both hands, bringing it underneath her head.

- Sweet dreams Sinya, I... aaaah... gonna take a wee nap too... - she said, and closed her eyes, planting her face into the softness of the pillow. And, after a few more quiet minutes, Nika fell... asleep. Sound snoring filling the air soon after.

Zzzz... Sweet dreams....

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Nika jumped onto the bed, startling Sinya a little, but she managed to recover quickly, chiefly because the green woman promised to stay with her, which prompted a small smile and a nod of her head.

Sinya felt more relaxed already. For her, Nika was her safety blanket. No matter what happened, if Nika was there she'd be safe. There was something deeply comforting about the green woman. Indeed, as Nika lay on her stomach with her back to the much more petite woman, Sinya progressively drew closer.

By the time Nika was asleep, the Lethan girl was pressed up against her back, her head resting on Nika's shoulder. Sinya was curled up into a tiny ball flush with her savior, and before long she was in a deep sleep.

Deep, and content.

There was something special about being safe and at home, a sensation Sinya hadn't had for a long time. Now, it was more powerful than ever. In this room, she had her mighty protector lying beside her, she had beautiful stars above, a soft mattress below, warm blankets around, and kindness.

These were good people, these were nice people. Not one of them had hurt her or so much as said something rude. While Sinya wouldn't stop being afraid in a day, a week, or a month, she did feel safe again here in this room.

In this room, everything was perfect, and she wished it would last forever.