Mending Connections

LAIS

I walk towards the conference room, my heart heavy from an early argument. I can't stand…

I sigh. Maybe I shouldn't have brought it up in the first place. Now look at me, a nervous wreck.

I'm so caught up in  my thoughts that I don't realize I'm about to bump into a wall, not until someone grabs my back.

"What's on the mind of the great Flame Emperor to make you so empty-headed this early," a familiar voice says.

I turn. A small face, black, 2 by 3 hair, brown eyes, and lips forever formed in a crooked smile. 

"Everly Dune," I manage to blurt out.

She lets go of my collar, smiling brightly.

"Yow, Lais. Long time no see. It's been since the war games, if we're correct," she says cheerfully.

"Oh, ah, yeah, I think you're right," I reply.

They look at me from head to toe, putting a hand on her chin and shaking her head.