They sat in the parlor, Stephanie, Anya and Basel. Anya sat on one side of Stephanie and Basel sat on the other. An official entered the room. "King Everseau, madam." He gestured to the door, and a man, probably not much older than Anya, entered. He had those bright white eyes that Anya had, and tattoos crossed his jaw, just like hers. There was a silence as he studied Anya. "So," he said after a moment. "You are... my ancestor." "It would seem that way," Anya replied.
The King looked at Anya before looking at Stephanie. "You are the one who brought her, yes?" Stephanie nodded. "Yes. We would be willing to make a trade." The King frowned before gesturing. "Come with me. We should talk in another room." Stephanie frowned before standing, following him out.
She stood up from the couch, her hands behind her back nervously. "Don't say anything, then," she said quietly. "I'm no longer your concern."
She heard the shaky breaths again and looked over at him, her head tilted. "Don't be frightened, Baze," she said, coming and sitting next to him again. "They're not going to hurt you."
His breath caught in his throat and he turned to her, his eyes teary and his voice cracking momentarily. "I.. I don't want you to leave, Anya."
She seemed utterly bewildered by his tears, reaching up and wiping them away gently, her own gaze softening as she looked at him. "Your eyes," she murmured, her fingers soft against his cheek. "Your eyes hold the sun in them."
She watched him as the doorknob turned and the King and Stephanie reentered the room. Stephanie had a conflicted look on her face, but the King spoke lowly and clearly. "Anya, please come with me." Anya's gaze flickered from Basel's and she frowned, tilting her head for a moment before looking back at Basel. She squeezed his hand, standing up slowly. "'Bye, Baze," she said quietly, her hand slipping from his grasp. The King gestured to the door.
She pressed her lips together before heading through the door. The King gave a nod to Stephanie and departed, closing the door behind them. Stephanie stood silently for a moment before coming over to Basel. "Come on, Basel," she said tiredly. "Let's get out of here."
"Credits," she replied. "A lot of them. And freedom. She was quite a commodity. We should get out of here, though. This isn't our home, and we've been asked to leave and get as far away as we can."
