"Took you long enough," Dreilla remarked, her voice calm yet tinged with that usual sharpness she never bothered to hide.
She leaned casually against one of the tall poles erected by the Zeraf soldiers, its bright white glow spreading outward in a wide circle that cut through the darkness of the ruined street.
The illumination caught the edge of her cheekbones and armor, casting stark shadows across her face.
Her eyes flicked toward Jinn as he approached, unreadable, though her posture was loose in that typical mix of boredom and vigilance she carried.
"Sorry for ratting you out, man… but protocol's protocol." Zynh spoke up next, his tone carrying a half-guilty lilt that didn't fully match the faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He gave a small shrug, one hand lifting in mock surrender while the other lazily tapped the side of his rifle.
His stance was casual, almost playful, though his eyes carried the flicker of relief that Jinn was still in one piece.
