The rain starts.
And it's...
Terrifying.
We are safe inside, because a building designed on a planet with this kind of rain is naturally also designed to be able to handle it.
Nevertheless, we are herded into a big main hall. The reason being that the building is degrading, and it's easier to just stay where it's known to be safe than risk injuries during the rain from people wandering into unsafe areas - or having less certain places become unsafe.
So Ivan says, anyway.
"Will we need to do a sweep to look for damage after the rain?" Mia asks him.
The older man shakes his head. "We have a system in place. Don't worry. We'll be fine."
She doesn't look happy. "What if the roof caves in, or...?"
"It won't."
"How can you be so sure?" I can see the worry in her eyes.
"...This place is old, but as harsh as the rain is, it's normal weather in this planet. This isn't a weather emergency that will strain the roof, or walls."
I glance to her.
She doesn't look very reassured, but Ivan's expression remains firm, his eyes fixed on the doorway to the outside, despite it being covered up to prevent rain getting in. The roof is a little noisy from the sound of it, but it doesn't seem to be leaking. Yet.
"....You're worried about your friend Eric, and Iva..." He sighs, smiles, and shakes his head, as if exasperated. "Peter. Right?"
Ivan's words seem to shake her out of the worried trance she'd been in, and she blinks a few times and glances to him, nodding. "...Yes."
"Well." He shakes his head. "You needn't worry long. They should be back in here shortly." His eyes drift to the covered door.
I follow his gaze to it and see a couple shadows, which quickly become Peter and Eric. The coats they're wearing look to have been made for the purpose of protecting from the rain. The thick fabric has dark, grey spots where it was touched by it, but isn't burned through or anything else worse.
The two of them don't look happy, and are immediately pulled aside by a few people and examined to ensure that they weren't exposed to the rain in any way that could prove harmful.
The coats are removed and put into a bin, and a few people are already moving to remove them to...wherever it is they go when it's time to get clean of the rain.
Mia makes an audible sound of relief, though I think she's trying to hide that, and then settles down in a seat. She still looks worried, and she's staring at the ceiling.
"...I think it'll hold." I offer, glancing at her. "...I mean. They've handled this enough times I think it's reasonable to assume they know the strongest places here."
"...I hope so." She sighs. "Just...all this. This whole place is so..."
She shakes her head, looking at the ground, and her hands curl into fists.
"It feels like...it feels like we're in danger every second." Her voice is tight. "Every moment we've been here we could be discovered, or this place could be compromised, and..."
I bite the inside of my cheek.
It's been...
A completely different experience for me.
I know it's possible we could be discovered. That weighs on me still. I still wake up feeling like I'm being watched, or turn around in long corridors just to make sure one of those aliens isn't running up on me.
But for the most part...
I love this place. I've never felt so free or carefree. Not since we got here.
It's...
Almost a paradox that Mia, who's been so optimistic about our captivity up to now is the one melting down with worry since we finally got some improvement.
But.
Maybe that's why.
She's been putting on a good face for so long, making herself be brave...
Now that we've gotten some small gain, maybe she's just that much more terrified we'll lose it.
Maybe because every day gets closer to whatever plans Ivan has for us, for the now-or-never make-or-break moment.
For someone like Mia...
I guess. It does make sense. Especially when she's likely to be leaned on in some way to make sure the mission is a success.
Perhaps it's just selfish of me to be so happy and content when Mia is obviously so scared about the future.
Maybe it's just selfish to be enjoying it so much when Mia is terrified of the consequences if it fails. Terrified of what will happen to all these people, and to all of us, when we make that move and it turns out that Ivan isn't prepared. That we aren't ready to make that attempt to escape.
That we end up captured and have everything we gained here lost.
That...
We're just making ourselves a bigger target.
I can understand it. I really can.
I'm worried, too.
My hand settles on hers. "...We're going to get home. You don't need to be afraid."
"But what if it doesn't work...?"
"It's going to."
Ivan has a lot of faith in whatever it is he's planning.
It's hard for me to believe that he doesn't have some sort of real plan in mind, not after all this time of planning. Not after failing once before.
I summon a firm smile. One like she usually gives me.
She starts suddenly, looking up at me with eyes sharper than a moment before. And then she laughs.
"Oh, we've swapped roles~" She's laughing, and her eyes look wet, and she reaches up and wipes her cheeks. But the smile seems real, too. "You know...that's not a bad change of pace."
"...You're just happy I get to be the optimist for once."
"Oh, absolutely." She hums. "Quite the responsibility to be the cheerful one everyone gives funny looks. Are you sure you're ready to handle that?"
"...Not even slightly." I sigh. "So don't leave me alone in this role, alright?"
She laughs. "Alright. Alright." Her smile eases, and her eyes soften, looking over at me. "...Thank you, Sarah."
I squeeze her shoulder.
"Of course, Mia." I grin. "...Just don't turn into Eric. I can't handle two of him."
Her laugh is a bit more genuine this time, and her shoulders shake.
Eric, who has just returned from his rinse off, makes an indignant sound. "I heard that!"
"Good!" Mia and I speak in unison.
He grumbles. "Hilarious."
Hestia, sitting near me, giggles enthusiastically at this.