The afternoon light had grown slanted through the window, casting long shadows across the small room.
The platinum-sliver haired girl remained curled on her bed, knees drawn up to her chest, while Sera sat cross-legged on her own mattress, occasionally glancing over with worried golden eyes.
"The gardens really are beautiful from up here," Sera tried again, her voice carrying that determined brightness she used when attempting to lift spirits.
"And I saw students practicing with essence crystals earlier. The light they made was like rainbows dancing in the air."
Lyria's only response was to pull her knees closer to her chest.
"Maybe we could walk through them later? Fresh air might help, and I heard there's a fountain that sings when the wind hits it just right."
Sera's enthusiasm felt fragile, as if she knew her words were bouncing off walls but couldn't stop trying anyway.
Lyria remained silent, staring at nothing.
Then...
Knock!
