Caitlyn places her head on the headrest. Genesis places hers on the steer. Their breaths are heavy. They retreated to a safe spot. Caitlyn has yet to check where they are, but at least they’re now away from those tanks. The map says that there is a road nearby which can lead them back to base. But that has to wait. Genesis kept the safeties off as she drove PT away. As a result, his engine malfunctioned. And they are now stuck in open ground with no friendly forces nearby. Still, Caitlyn feels lucky as it didn’t blow PT up. They could leave the tank behind. But they are in friendly territory. That and the fact that it’s Caution’s only tank. It might take days for Command to issue another one. It’ll be a waste. PT is an excellent gunner too.

The maid and her share a glance as they pant. Genesis smiles, but Caitlyn doesn’t. She looks away while wiping her face with her right hand. It was a life and death situation. Yet she didn’t attempt to do anything. She just sat there restrained by her thoughts. It feels embarrassing how the maid could act more decisively than her. She could lead an army if she chooses to. Caitlyn commands a tank because the army needs her to fill the role. She herself isn’t sure whether she is fit for leading. She believes that it’s what caused her to lose her platoons over and over. And she is lucky enough that Command always give her another chance.

“That was a blast.” PT says calmly.

They have contacted their own group. They should be here anytime soon.

Genesis gestures to Caitlyn. “Did that happen to you often?”

“I don’t remember seeing those tanks anywhere before.” Caitlyn replies.

“That’s not what I meant.” Genesis pants. “Been a while since I’ve been in something that hectic.”

“It’ll happen to us often.” PT says. “Maybe, I guess. Stick around and find out, blonde.”

Genesis stretches her arm. “I think I could use a tin right now.”

Fort contacts Caitlyn. He said he’s having a trouble finding a way to her. Charlotte is already on foot. He urges her to link up with the maid so they could extract them. Genesis volunteers. The maid doesn’t even think it through. She just shoots for it once Charlotte is mentioned. Caitlyn watches as the maid jumps out of the tank. She loads a mag to her sidearm before hustling from cover to cover.

Caitlyn looks up. The sun is setting. Darkness will be upon her soon. She might be in friendly territory. But she still thinks of concealed enemy presence around her. Since no friendlies are nearby, there’s no way of checking that. Though she is safe from those tanks, her safety against other telve units is unguaranteed. She takes a deep breath. She then folds her arms on PT’s hull and rests her head on them.

Time flies. She’s pretty sure that she was merely following instructions here and there. And ten years passed already. She doesn’t remember doing anything great. She believes that it’s because she really hasn’t achieved anything yet. Being an NCO is probably one, in a sense. Nothing else. She thinks of Alezia. She might be a rank below her. But she is pretty much Command’s big girl in this front. She is always enthusiastic in her service. Caitlyn counts her medals. She pretty much has everything but the Arched Spade, the highest state-bestowed military honor. She is probably on her way there too.

Caitlyn hates herself for being this pathetic. Where others flew to great heights, she is still on the ground dreaming that her wings will grow soon. She has been waiting too long. They’re still not there to lift her. Maybe she’s tired of waiting. She always feels powerless and she is tired of it. She knows she has to do something. But she just has no idea what. She doesn’t even know what’s bothering her.

“KT.”

“Hm?” Caitlyn leers at the tank’s turret.

“What’s really up with you?”

“Do you have to be this inquisitive on me?”

“Not sure how it could be harmful to you.”

“I had a private the day you saved me. She was assigned to me the day before. She told me a lot about herself. But then she didn’t make it that day.”

“Are you telling me that you can’t make up anything from her stories?”

“I probably can.” Caitlyn shrugs. “She is a human after all. But you…it’s a different case.”

Caitlyn always sees it that way. The Automaton might be designed to keep the crews’ company in the field. But she doesn’t understand why it has to be. Vehicle losses are common occurrences in war. If one were to make friend with them, they would weep at their destruction in the field. They would weep over a fate that surely awaits every combat vehicle. It’s a waste of energy, emotional in particular. It’s not like they’re going to marry them, start a life somewhere in a peaceful corner of the state, raising their own children, or going off to see the world. Though there are some units stationed in bases across the state, they don’t get a leave. Caitlyn can’t see how her life matters to him. She is not so desperate that she turns to him for advices.

“I could die tomorrow and everything you know about me won’t matter.” Caitlyn adds. “It works both ways between us.”

The tank is silent. He lowers his gun.

“It’s because you, or me, could die tomorrow, that I want to know about you.” PT replies.

“But why?”

“It’s obvious. Live like it’s your last day. Knowing people is the way to go for me.”

“You have an odd choice.”

“If I die, at least I died protecting someone I know. And if I get to outlive them, I’d carry on their spirit and their ambition.”

Caitlyn never thought about that notion. She has to be well-acquainted with the deceased to carry it out. And that’s the problem, she never did. Assigning troops to her is like death sentences for them. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t save them. Eventually she stops trying. She then stops caring. In the end, they are all just names in her head. Those that don’t even appear in her reveries.

“But…if you still refused to talk about it, I can’t force you really.”

She still doesn’t see anything worthy in her to be passed on to others. She hasn’t made a name for her yet. But maybe this time, just this time, she’ll do it. The tank saved her three days ago and she has to appreciate him.

“I…” Caitlyn still hesitates. What’s about her that people could know? Or maybe she should start with her feelings instead of her past?

“Do you remember how I looked upon the private’s tag?”

“You were mourning.”

“Not exactly. I think I was. But I don’t know her enough to grief.”

“Despite everything you claimed she had told you?”

Caitlyn lowers her gaze. “There is just never enough for me to care.”

She sometimes thinks that it’s unfair. She wants to feel an actual bond with people, but is not blessed with the ability to do so. She is handed the opposite instead. She didn’t choose to seclude herself. There is nothing good in her that people would like. She always feels that she appears miserable to anyone. That alone bridges herself and the rest of the world. Her comrades perishing before her made that bridge impassable.

“You wouldn’t care for that blonde and I?”

“I would.” Caitlyn clasps her hands. “If I could.”

Caitlyn is dissatisfied with the talk. Again, because of herself. It devolves into a chatter that expose her sad reality. It solidifies the thought that she is miserable. PT must have not appreciated that. It’s what preventing her to converse with him. He must have preferred those talks that keep his spirit up, the ones with banters and spicy words that keep lips inflexing upward. She can’t do that. That inability also keeps her away from people.

Night falls. The cricket chirps. She could bypass the darkness using her own night vision filter. It isn’t active at the moment. She just let herself gaze into the darkness that envelops them. She will be with them sooner or later. She might as well get used to them.

“Still have family back home?”

Caitlyn’s eyelids jerk up as if a large pike is thrusted through her chest. She clasps her hands tighter as voices begin to echo in her head. A storm of anger falls down like an imperial shelling, escorted by sinister whispers that wish ill to her. They crowd into one intangible speech that start out low and inaudible, but immediately grows louder and clearer. She hears her own whimper amidst the chaos. She freezes as her thought oscillates between them. Her processor pulls up a word from the commotion.

…Die…

She begins to take short yet heavy breaths. Her entire body is shaking. The voices are always there. It haunts her day and night, ready to maul her when she is weak. She puts both hands on her head and shakes it. She looks down before shutting her eyes. All she can do is to shove those voices away and hope the image that comes with them don’t glimpse before her. That night, she faced the worst demon she has ever known.

“No…please…” Caitlyn stutters. She keeps on shaking her head.

“KT?”

Alas, it’s a demon she provoked. And it’s still out there. Which is why she can’t get it out of her. Nevertheless, she persists. She controls her breath. Slowly and surely, the voices dissipate with every exhalation. Her body relaxes. She left one hand on her head. It happened to her a lot during her early days of service. She learned how to suppress it. But it’ll still come out when provoked.

She slams her hand on the tank’s hull. “Damn it, PT.”

“Did I…trigger your PTSD just no-”

“Shut up!” Caitlyn shakes her head while shutting her eyes. “Shut up.”

Caitlyn collapses to her seat. She rests her head on the partition to her right. Even that small incursion costs her a lot. She can’t think properly. She can’t act properly. She’ll need a moment to recuperate, to calm her down in its aftermath. She is fortunate that it never occurred to her during battle. She is too focused at doing her task while staying alive. Sometimes she is glad that her job provides her with that much distraction to keep those voices at bay.

Genesis returns shortly after. Her friend, Charlotte, is on foot with her. Behind them is an armored recovery vehicle, the VB12 ‘Seret’, manned by Fort himself. It’s a tracked semi-automatic vehicle just like the Chord. The Automaton could either take a driver role or a utility role; in this case, operating the tether. Fort positions the vehicle so that it could tether itself with the tank. The Seret drags PT. Genesis and Charlotte tag along the vehicle. Meanwhile Caitlyn remains inside of her tank.

They pull PT back to where KP is stationed. It’s a light forested area. The foliage above them aren’t so dense. But there’s a friendly outpost nearby, just behind them. Caitlyn counts five people manning it. They are quite distant from the D230 highway. Those men probably only heard the commotions when the chaos occurred. KP’s container unfolds. Mechanical arms whir outward. They detach the top armor of the rear compartment to take out the engine. A retractable palette emerges from the container. The arms place the engine there before working on it.

“Careful.” PT says. To him, it’s like having his own gut dissected and reassembled, all while he’s watching. He doesn’t feel pain though. And he probably had went through countless maintenance process that involves detaching his parts, so it doesn’t matter.

“Don’t tell me how to do my job, boy.” KP replies.

“Just so you know that I could shoot you right here, right now.”

“And just so you know, your engine might not be the same.”

Caitlyn watches the machines tease each other. They do it flawlessly. They don’t even seem to regret what they’re saying. Their mouth just goes on carefree. They have no life outside the battlefield, so Caitlyn thinks it’s fair for them to develop such behavior. Does she have to give up her life outside the war for her to develop them too? She thinks it’s the best way to converse with her colleagues. But she is not the type of person for that.

Caitlyn seeks the captain. The man is away, busy with his utilizer. There are more lives on his shoulders than hers. Losing a huge part of them must be difficult. How many families does he has to answer? How is he going to report that to Command? How will he negotiate for more troops? Most importantly, how is he going to make up for the guilt of losing his men? Does he have any to begin with? Because Caitlyn doesn’t see it in his face. He remains composed and professional.

She walks to him once he’s done with his utilizer.

“Sir.” Caitlyn salutes. “What’s our next move?”

Fort shrugs. “Regroup and lick our wounds. What else?” He half-smiles.

“How many more do we lost?”

“Apart from our Kris, half of our Crescents I guess.” Fort calmly says. “But our boys made it out. I have requested reinforcements as well, so don’t worry.” Fort walks past her.

Caitlyn’s eyes follow him. “Aren’t you feeling guilty, sir?”

Her words stop him. He turns around. Their eyes meet. Fort studies her.

“Who wouldn’t?” His tone still sounds friendly. There is no hint of grief, or anger. “But I surely didn’t expect some big bulky machines to come down that hill and wreak havoc. The telves always have new toys to mess with us. At least I saved you. Or…got you out of there.”

“You let them pass.”

“It’s something I can’t do about. And I have other things worthier of my attention.” Fort shrugs. “My job, I mean.”

Caitlyn nods. At this rate, he could as well lose all his limbs and he would still be talking the way he does. Caitlyn admires how he doesn’t wail in his failure. He still welcomes anyone. And he instead strives to work things out. She believes he is doing so. It’s a proper attitude of a leader in her eyes. The captain is impressive. It makes her wish that she remains under his command for the rest of the war.

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Fort calls up his Crescent to pick him up. He tells her to regroup when he gives the word. It’ll be a guard duty for them until it comes. Kalibr soon arrives and Fort hops into her. He then goes off checking on his other units. The recovery vehicle follows him. The withdrawal was slightly disorganized. The priority was to escape the carnage. As a result, they were scattered across the front. They’re going to need time to regroup before they could mount another operation.

In the meantime, Caitlyn sits beside PT. She leans against the tank’s side; her legs are close, and her arms are wrapped around them. She watches KP’s contraptions rustle as they put the engine back together. The Creepers are as old as the Chords. The state thought of an all-purpose vehicle that would accompany an armored force. They are that thought realized. And so far, it works well in the field. There are changes made to keep up with the challenges and needs of the army. But its general design is still the same after decades.

It fascinates her. It means that they were already ahead of their time when they were first made. Truly a feat of a state that pioneer developments. Their words aren’t hollow. Though The Primus will always be on its head, Caitlyn doesn’t see how it’s harmful. His vision had bought people’s heart. They are satisfied with all the sophistication he gave them. No one has a problem with him in full control forever. No one. Caitlyn is his product too. She gazes on her right palm. She is grateful to him that she gets to live. But it saddens her that she has only been squandering it.

Success is an understatement to describe the Artificial Creationist. The Primus attributed it not to his own deeds, but to the discipline of its players. He mentioned his statesmen, his military commanders, his officials, his soldiers, his scholars. He gave the utmost regard to his people. It is what keeping the state afloat, allowing him to attend to their interests. Maybe it’s the reason she ends up this restless. She is not discipline enough. It’s the sole demand of The Primus to his people and she is not meeting it. Caitlyn sometimes considers the thought. But how is it possible? The military is a primary endorser of that demand. How is she not being discipline in a job where discipline is mandatory? Perhaps there are other kinds of discipline that she is unaware of.

“Protivotankovyy, your girlfriend needs a hug.” A gentle voice that catches Caitlyn’s attention.

Caitlyn raises her sight. It comes from the maid with the longer hair. “I’m sorry?” She tilts her head. It is an outrageous idea. You don’t take a tank for a walk in a park or a snuggly night on a mattress. Yet Caitlyn doesn’t sound offended. Nor she shows any opposition towards it. She was just not paying attention. She looks at the maid in her usual indifference.

The tank rotates his gun toward the maid. “Think you could talk to my gun instead.”

Genesis is beside her. “She means unromantically.” She follows up.

“Ain’t that a little rude, boy.” KP says. “Being a tank is not an excuse to shove your gun anywhere.”

“Don’t remember asking your opinion.” PT replies.

“Well I certainly don’t remember when did our youth grow to be this rude. No one disrespects their elder.”

“Or what?”

Suddenly one of KP’s arms stop working on the engine. It moves away slowly. But its ‘wrist’ is spinning as it does so. The attachment is aimed toward the engine.

“Okay, okay…” PT stutters. “No need to go that way.”

“Looks like our grumpy Creeper made a friend now.” Genesis chuckles.

“It’s time for him to listen a two-hour rant of why Creepers deserve rights the likes of ours.” Charlotte said.

“A what rant?” PT rotates his gun slightly to KP’s direction.

“You prefer to listen to these Androids instead of your fellow Automaton?”

“Don’t know about these two blonds.” PT says. He realigns his gun with his hull again. “But KT, probably.”

Caitlyn blushes. It’s the first time someone said that. And it comes from a male. It’s still open to interpretations though. She is aware of it. But she can’t help herself from thinking that it’s a bit suggestive. Of course, there is still a lack of motives for her to be interested in.

“Being picky now, are you?” Charlotte says, putting an index finger to her cheek while slightly twisting her head.

“What? You’re telling me I shouldn’t listen to the one in charge?”

The maid only giggles. Her flirty attitude starts to feel unsettling. But she is actually beautiful. Caitlyn admits that she is the most beautiful maid she’s ever seen. Though not as curvy as her partner, she is calm and endearing. Her smile lightens her face. It’s always there no matter how small. A confident smile as if she knows what awaits her tomorrow and is prepared to face it. And to think that she picked them up as her team…it has to be her lucky day. Caitlyn’s squad will be a center of attention to any passing personnel.

The four continues to chatter. The hollow woods become less eerie with their voices. Caitlyn sees herself surrounded by talkative people. She doesn’t know whether it’s a blessing or not. She doesn’t expect much from that. She still finds it hard to develop any bond with them. They’ll probably be liquidated very soon. And it’ll begin all over again. However, her team is not as big as it used to be. It’s just two people and two vehicles. A small group compared to a platoon which consists of about nine people, four tanks, and a Creeper. Her conscience says that it’s more manageable.

PT and Genesis are as eager to approach anyone they come across. Charlotte, though appears to be quiet, seems to be responsive when someone has initiated the talk. And if what Charlotte said is true, KP will out of nowhere bring a topic to the table. It might be a chance that will never come again.

Caitlyn decides to test her luck. Maybe they’re meant for her. She stands up and lifts her hands.

“Be quiet.” She says to them all.

Her voice, though not sounding imperative, struck everyone. They immediately cut the chatter. Even KP’s arms pause. Of course, she is the one in charge. Her squad mates obviously have to comply. Especially when she sounds like she has something important to say. But Caitlyn doesn’t have anything really. She just wants to interact with them.

“Why did you stop?” PT asks KP.

“Are you aware what ‘be quiet’ means?” KP replies.

“Don’t think it applies to those funny-looking arms of yours.”

“Huh…what say you darling-commander?”

That’s an odd way to address me.

Caitlyn points at KP. “Keep repairing, KP.”

PT whistles. A single whistle to flex his triumph over the Creeper for once.

“I’m doing this for her, not you.” KP scoffs. Her arms proceed with the engine.

“You’re still doing it though.”

Caitlyn gently kicks PT’s tread. “Let the woman work in peace.”

“As you say.” PT wholeheartedly agrees.

“So,” Genesis chimes in. “What’s up?”

Caitlyn folds her arms and leans on PT’s side. “We’re on guard duty. Keep it down a bit.” Caitlyn shrugs. “We should be looking around too.”

“I say just leave it to her.” Genesis points to Charlotte. “She got a keen eye and reflexes when it comes to shooting.” Genesis folds her arms too. “Why is she still in the Maid Section you may ask. I can’t answer that.” She shrugs.

“Geny,” Charlotte puts both hands on her waist. “That’s an unfair division of labor.”

“There’s no division of labor in the HMD.”

It stands for Household Manager’s Decree. As far as she knows, it’s a title held by a man named Sir Microv Edward, also known as Sir Edward among the Proxies. He is the co-ruler of the state. Basically, the Primus’ right-hand man. He is the supreme commander of all the state’s maids. The HMD is a rulebook that they follow. It’s mandatory for their action and attitude to be in line with them. Deviation means punishment depending on how severe it is.

“Aren’t we supposed to support each other as fellow maids?”

Genesis leans closer to her. “Emotional support doesn’t count?” She smiles.

Charlotte sighs. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me, Geny.”

KP returns PT’s engine and put his armor back in place. She does it thoroughly, making sure that nothing is missed. PT gives the Creeper a slight remark, appreciating her work. KP just grumps at him. She probably doesn’t mean it. It’s a playful response to the smirk that PT seem to show, at least in Caitlyn’s mind. He doesn’t have a visual expression utility other than his interface screen.

Charlotte grabs her rifle inside KP’s cabin. It’s the Proxies’ standard 7.62mm assault rifle with a scope attachment for magnification. With it slung on her shoulder, she climbs the nearest tree. Genesis helped with an initial push. The sizeable tree is about two arms-length wide. The maid clambers her way to a split at about two times Caitlyn’s height. Caitlyn thought females with maid clothing only belong in large mansions. It’s such a sight to see one doing an attraction. She still looks graceful though. The men would surely love the view.

“You owe me a tin, Geny.” Charlotte said as she draws her rifle.

“You’re not drooling are you, Protivotankovyy?” KP teases him.

“Something is really wrong with our Creeper.” PT replies.

“There’s nothing wrong with checking things up. That’s what I do.”

Genesis leans against PT on her shoulder. Her face shows interest in Caitlyn.

“Please don’t ask me about my home, or my family.” Caitlyn says to her.

“Why not?” The smile on her face faded. She inches closer. Her face turns to show concern.

“It’s like a PTSD to her.” PT says.

Caitlyn sighs. She doesn’t want it to be that way either. One bad day when fate decided. Every day she wishes that it didn’t happen. But it did. And her wishes disperse as quickly as the smoke after PT fires.

Genesis turns her back against the tank’s side. “I wish I still have a family.” She says.

Now she has Caitlyn’s interest. It isn’t usually the case. There have been countless peers who have poured their past to her. Their family’s relationship in particular. But she never paid too much attention. It’s an obvious trigger to the nightmare she is actively avoiding. The maid however, have made one decisive act that saved her. Her conscience obliges her to listen.

“I lived in Dusty Peak, a small village on the Cone Cove mountain.”

Caitlyn is impressed at how she doesn’t seem to mind sharing her past. It should be a personal thing that’s only shared within a close circle. She just met her hours ago.

“It rains a lot there but I still love it. I sometimes drenched myself deep in the rain during total leisure. Though I can’t be sick, dad will always be angry.”

“I’d be angry too if my daughter runs around the village with wet see-through clothing.” PT comments.

Genesis rubs her temple. “Yeah, and I sometimes shiver after that.” She chuckles. “It was worth it, though.”

“How long was that?” Caitlyn asks.

“Ten years ago.” Genesis meet Caitlyn’s glance.

Ten years ago, her village is still in a contested zone. It’s now fully under Artificial Creationists’ control.

“I saw the war broke out through my field. Explosions, air-sorties, artillery duels, all those shiny military flexes. They left my village alone for some reason. Perhaps it’s not strategic enough for both sides.”

“And then something happened.”

“My village is quite remote. The main road leading to it basically becomes a battleground. Dad was a scholar. A great one I think. Even The Primus knows him. He planned out alternative routes to the nearest city through the mountains. And he sent me out to find which route is best.”

“Man got balls to send out his daughter an expedition alone.” PT comments.

“It isn’t a tough walk really.” Genesis gestures. “I used to hike with him and by then, I’m already accustomed to the area. But when I returned, my village is gone.”

“What do you mean gone?” Caitlyn asks again.

“Razed. I returned to a bunch of withered houses that are practically burnt down.”

“The Primus rebuilds, doesn’t he?” PT asks.

“He did. But I lost the claim to what was once my home when I went there. Now I just have a mattress in the Maids’ Quarter.” Genesis sighs.

Caitlyn is impassive throughout her narrative. She is not showing it but she is actually appreciating the story. She paid full attention for the first time. There’s a sense of closeness with her after that. A fellow who shared a similar fate. It feels like they’re both condemned into military service. Caitlyn’s hand moves on its own; it reaches to pat Genesis’ shoulder.

Genesis smiles. “Thank you.”

Caitlyn smiles back.

She isn’t sure why the maid chose this path though. Being a daughter of a renowned scholar should grant her bountiful opportunities. The Primus knows her father. Couldn’t he do something about it? He could cover the cost for her education so that she can replace the role that her father left. He will then acquire a new manpower, while Genesis get a suitable living. Anything that’s not straight up trenches or an overcrowded bunk. Caitlyn used to live like that until she became a color sergeant.

Whatever it is, there’s no way that The Primus can’t help. Non-military labors are always open. Perhaps Genesis has her own motive. If that’s true, Caitlyn isn’t going to ask it now. The maid has told her enough. Caitlyn doesn’t want random people asking too much about her either.

“How about you? What’s bothering you?” Genesis asks.

“What convinces you that something is bothering me?”

“I know a troubled individual when I see one.” Genesis flashes her eyebrows.

Caitlyn takes a deep breath. She supposes she has to return the favor now that the maid has told about herself.

“I just…had a quarrel back home.”

Genesis tilts her head. “And you left.”

Caitlyn nods. “I have no choice. It’s the only way for me to undo my mistake.”

“I am not allowed to ask about your mistake, am I?”

“I’d be happy if you don’t.”

Genesis nods before inching closer. Caitlyn feels her grip on her right shoulder. She turns to meet her glance.

“I guess we’re both castaways, aren’t we?” Despite the unfortunate that befell her, she is able to keep a sweet smile on her face. Caitlyn never thinks that it is possible. The maid is cheerful and high-spirited just like Alezia. But unlike her, there’s an immense loss behind all that. Caitlyn wonders if the generosity of the maid’s smile is actually a way to hide her pain, or forget about them.

Caitlyn rubs her head. “I won’t say castaways per se…” She says. “…just unlucky, perhaps?”

Caitlyn smiles back. There is solace in her presence. She starts to feel it. Perhaps this is what personal attachment is like. Perhaps this is how actually having a friend feels like.

“Do you have a crush on someone?” Genesis asks.

“That’s…” Caitlyn looks upward. “Probably the last thing I want to do.”

Genesis shrugs. She too turns her sight elsewhere. “The captain looks good though.”

“I don’t think so.” Caitlyn says. “He’s nothing out of the ordinary.”

“You just don’t have a taste, do you?”

Caitlyn chuckles.

PT speaks up. “Guess it’s now my turn to tell the time my buddy and I went to-”

“I don’t want to listen.” Genesis said.

The maid’s smug drives Caitlyn to respond the same way. “I don’t want to listen either.” Caitlyn gently says.

“Now that’s not fair.” PT protests.

“I want to listen.” KP says.

“I don’t want to tell it to you.”

“And you’re wondering why you’re being treated unfairly?”

“Shut up.”

Caitlyn looks up to where Charlotte is perching. Her sight diligently sweeps the area. She gestures back to her. All clear for now. It feels unfair leaving her like that while everyone basically messes around with each other. She doesn’t seem to mind though. She is calm and relaxed as she watches over the forest. Caitlyn wishes that she is eavesdropping. They are getting to know each other and it seems like she is left out. Caitlyn hopes she’ll forgive her for that. Caitlyn hopes there’s another time just for the two of them.