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[neversmall]

"You've reached Nina."

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[neversmall]

[ The weight of her rediscovered locket was heavy on her neck; burning. Nina had friends among the other Corporalki; she was useful, and her value was determined by her use. It was expedient to be her friend. She'd had one friend. Could she have suffered Brum to live, after what he'd done to others, what he'd done to her? ]

I'd have reserved the right to defend myself, as you did, [ quietly. ] It would have been hard. But this is not the place to carry on a war. And I have other priorities now.

[ Simple, heartrending, but true. Some things will never change, and Matthias has taken his place with them. ]

[trassel]

[ Matthias doesn't want to expend a great deal of creativity imagining a scenario that isn't likely to happen — as far as they know, everyone who could have arrived from their world is already here, and there are more pressing problems. The matter of survival still hangs over them, and in this, Nina is not only useful, she is needed. ]

Yes.

[ And this is a good opening. He takes his shot. Gently, ]

Such as breakfast.

[neversmall]

[ Nina still hasn't moved back; she smiles up at him. ]

Are you hungry, Matthias Helvar?

[trassel]

[ — for many, many things, that burn in his eyes for a moment. He blinks, then smiles softly. ]

Let us break bread together.

[neversmall]

[ Nina shifts her grip to twine her fingers through his in response to that look in his eye that, yes, she had been hoping to induce. It's a bold move that hides the fragile, yet overwhelming happiness she feels at seeing it. ]

Let us hope there's bread! [ A quick grin. ] If not, I'll settle for sharing whatever they have with you.