As the group dispersed, Elio noticed Zara quickly walking away. Determined to clear the air, he followed her, his penguin waddling behind him.
"Zara," he called softly. "Can we talk?"
Zara felt her heart race. She stopped, turning towards him with an expression that blended longing and resignation. "Sure, Elio. What do you want to talk about?"
Elio guided her to a more private spot, away from curious ears. Their summons, sensing the tension, kept a respectful distance.
Elio sat beside her, letting silence stretch for a few moments. The city sprawled beneath them, a tapestry of lights and shadows in the fading daylight.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Elio finally said, gesturing towards the panorama. "All those people down there, trusting us to keep them safe."
Zara sighed. "It's an enormous weight on our shoulders."
"It is," Elio admitted. "But it's a weight we now share."