Hell Reverse - Part 3

15, First April

Reyna dumped her bag on the table with a very solid thump, careless of what she was placing it on top of. She was glaring very pointedly at the woman in front of her, and trying not to dwell on the fact she was ready to kill someone to get a shower.

"It's good you're not dead." Deceit finally said after a moment, closing yet another manila folder and adding it to an already teetering pile beside her desk. A small elf, perhaps two feet tall at most, spent it's time trying to put them in some sort of order. It huffed, and began anew.

"Nice to see you, too." The venom in her words was thick enough to choke on. Deceit was unfazed.

"I had nothing to do with it, Rey."

"That's quite a lot of deniability. I've been trying to call you for days." Merci piped up from a corner stool. It seemed that Reyna was not the only one angry.

"Phone was off. In the drawer. Locked." Deceit frowned at her sister, and turned to look at Reyna. Her frown only deepened. Reyna's teal locks were greasy, with various questionable bits of... something trapped within it. The rest of her followed suit. "You need a shower."

Reyna gave her a withering look, pushing her bangs out of her face. Deceit shrugged, and stood. Reyna did not miss the slight sway to her friend's step, or the irony of loose clothing- a departure from the normal.

'Merci is here.' Was all that Reyna could think, and she knew quickly that those thoughts were not her own. She watched as Deceit pulled a small key ring from a desk drawer, and walked out of the room. Reyna followed when Merci did not. It was a short walk to the Guest Wing through hidden corridors, but Reyna had a hard time keeping up with Deceit. She could never really keep up, to be fair. It wasn't until Deceit had stopped, and unlocked a guest room that was already prepared, that Reyna finally spoke.

"So you were there."

"Was called in as soon as the being tried to breach the Gates." Deceit's voice was soft only in tone as she pulled the dust cover from the bed. "But I was not involved in the relief efforts this time around. That was Lux, and he's notorious for sub-contracting to locals."

"That explains everything." Reyna sighed. She didn't tell Deceit about the children, or how they were almost certainly dead. She didn't have to, in all honesty.

"I've already made arrangements for recovery." Deceit promised. "And you are welcome to stay here as long as necessary- though this room is temporary." She checked the stock of towels and various bathroom necessities in the adjourning room. "I've already requested that Etna prepare a more permanent room for your visiting needs."

"You don't have to do that again." Reyna finally sat and began unlacing her boots.

"It's not going to stop me from doing it, Rey." Her expression softened, but not by much. "You have a home here, if and when you need it."

"Thank you."

"Always." Deceit nodded, and the subject closed. "Alice should be by shortly with a few sets of clothes, and probably a warm meal. You should shower."

"Plan to." Reyna retorted, making a face. "And then sleep. It's unnatural to go this long without."

"Sleep well." Deceit bade her goodbyes, and disappeared up the hall. Reyna flipped the lock and rushed for the shower.