He frowned, resting his head on his knees. "Bad enough to resort to this.. Were so far up that no one is brave enough to venture outside or get food." *** She looked a little surprised, turning her gaze up at him. "..Victor."
She huffed slightly, looking over at him. "Not to beat a dead mouse, but..." She pursed her lips. "You're in a worse position now; my tribe will not be open to negotiation after this." * * * He smiled boyishly, his nose crinkling. "Nascha."
"My tribe doesn't deserve it anyways," he said gruffly. His expression was sad and tired, but his voice indicated irritation toward his tribe. "They should have tried that before sending me." *** She grinned. "It only took a few years to learn."
"Join my tribe," she suggested, leaning against him. "You're already like my brother." * * * "You were faster than most," he replied, sitting down.
"I would," he said, "but everyone I know is at my old tribe. My parents.." *** She sat down as well, leaning back. "Then why did you tell me?"
She was quiet for a moment before leaning up against him. "It will be okay." * * * He shrugged, looking casual. "I figured it was pretentious to keep it hidden for this long."
She looked up at him for a moment before smoothing the blanket over him. "Here. Sleep for now. We'll figure it out in the morning."
She leaned up against him slightly, shifting almost nervously as she settled, closing her eyes. * * * "What were you doing before all this?"
Despite everything, she took his hand after a moment, her fingers lacing with his as she squeezed his hand. * * * "Yes. With the berries."
He held her hand, not letting go. It didn't take long to fall asleep. *** "I was collecting some stuff to make something good. Maybe blackberry pie."
Osiris was still asleep the next morning, his hand over hers. *** She tilted her head. "Rozumi. Why?"
She was asleep against him, her head resting against his chest and their hands in her lap. The door into the cellar opened, and footsteps descended the stairs. *** “Rozumi,” he repeated. “Isn’t that’s indoors? In the basement?”
His eyes fluttered open, and he straightened quickly, shaking her should as he whispered. "Dahlia." *** "Above the basement," she corrected. "In the floorboards."
She woke blearily, looking up at him in confusion. The footsteps approach and a large figure stood at the cell door, staring at them. Dahlia looked over at the figure, her eyes widening. “Oh...” The figure was a large man, bulky and muscular, with sharp, dark eyes and brown hair. *** “Then why are you out here?”
