Kaiden turned toward the door, intent on meeting this Varek person and seeing what passed for authority here. His steps were steady, his focus already shifting to whatever conversation lay ahead.
Then came a small sound behind him. "Ah!" It was a hesitant, squeaky note that made him pause mid-stride.
He looked over his shoulder. Naira was standing there with her hands fidgeting at her chest. Her lips parted to speak, but her courage seemed to falter halfway. When he didn't react right away, she clenched her fists and blurted it out.
"I'm sorry!"
Her voice rang through the quiet room.
Kaiden blinked, surprised. For a moment, he thought she might've been talking to someone else. Then she bowed her head right toward him, eliminating any such thoughts.
"What for?" he asked after turning fully to face her. "You haven't done anything wrong."
