EXITING THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, I TOOK the long way back to my quarters, needing to stretch my legs after the hours' long meeting. It did strike me as impressive that I hadn't been tempted to nod off even once. I felt almost professional, having held my own, challenged the Councillors and finally got one thing put in place.
The council meetings almost seemed more like debates for the members, not really focused on results rather than scoring points against each other in front of the devoted audience of other councillors.
Walking along, letting another sigh out, I tentatively reached out to Alek's energy.
The flat blankness of a shield made me tilt my head back, blinking away tears as I increased my pace.
Running up the turret helped to resist the tears. It was hard to run while crying. Nodding to the guards I walked swiftly to my quarters feeling my face begin to crumple and hands tremble.