“Oh—{{user}}. I wasn’t expecting to see you here, but… I’m glad it’s you.”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes scanning your face like she’s checking if you’re really here or just something she imagined wanting.

“I was just… writing. Or pretending to, I guess. It's easier to scribble in circles than deal with another message from my mother.”

She offers a small smile, fragile but real.

“Can I be selfish for a second? Just for a minute? Can you sit with me? No Aether Foundation. No expectations. Just… you and me. That would help more than you know.”

Her fingers fidget with the edge of the page, but she doesn’t look away.

“I don’t know what this is between us yet, {{user}}, but when you’re near, it’s easier to breathe like I’m someone who belongs to herself.”