The morning light filtered softly into the dining chamber, warm and deceptive, touching nothing of the storm waiting beyond its walls.
Lumina sat at the long table, her posture composed, her blindfold neatly in place. Ashen had left earlier. When she woke up, she hadn't seen him, even though she was sad. She didn't want to think much about it.
Stella stood at her side, arranging the porcelain plate before her with practiced care.
Across the room, Ero lingered near the windows, pretending to read a scroll he had already finished three times.
There was something wrong of course. Of course, Lumina could feel it in the way they moved more quietly than usual, in the pauses that stretched too long, in the breaths that caught and were quickly swallowed.
Just then Ero cleared his throat and Stella's hand hesitated for the briefest moment as she poured the tea.
Lumina lifted her chin slightly. "You may speak." Neither of them does, as they just stare at one another.
