"Looks like we've got a bit of a crowd, yeah? I wonder what's in the Sun Room tonight." Taura didn't look afraid; neither did the people ranged around the hallway. No-one was injured, or fleeing. Just waiting for someone else to make the first move. They could do that. Even if there was someone inside, it'd just give Asuka a few minutes to catch up.
One of the groups held a familiar face -- the little girl, Rika, from last night. She seemed cheerful enough -- Taura smiled as she passed. Let Teresa and Yomi laugh at her; it was nice to have friends. It was a little strange how easy it had been to make them. Or, if she was honest with herself, not strange at all, given that she no longer terrified most people just by smiling. So few people could see beyond appearances; how many of those she'd met here would?
Would she trade them for her own body? There was a question; not in the sense of a hostage negotiation, but their appreciation. The lack of averted eyes and sharp breaths when she walked into a room weighed against the ability to know the people who did look her in the eye were truly her friends. Put that way, it was no choice at all.
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"Looks like we've got a bit of a crowd, yeah? I wonder what's in the Sun Room tonight." Taura didn't look afraid; neither did the people ranged around the hallway. No-one was injured, or fleeing. Just waiting for someone else to make the first move. They could do that. Even if there was someone inside, it'd just give Asuka a few minutes to catch up.
One of the groups held a familiar face -- the little girl, Rika, from last night. She seemed cheerful enough -- Taura smiled as she passed. Let Teresa and Yomi laugh at her; it was nice to have friends. It was a little strange how easy it had been to make them. Or, if she was honest with herself, not strange at all, given that she no longer terrified most people just by smiling. So few people could see beyond appearances; how many of those she'd met here would?
Would she trade them for her own body? There was a question; not in the sense of a hostage negotiation, but their appreciation. The lack of averted eyes and sharp breaths when she walked into a room weighed against the ability to know the people who did look her in the eye were truly her friends. Put that way, it was no choice at all.