"Hi." Lory smiled and lifted a hand in an easy wave, as though they had met under ordinary circumstances.
Her casual demeanor caught the small family off guard, but she paid it little mind. Around them, the container had dissolved into a chaos of shouts, sobs, and fists hammering against the steel wall. The noise almost swallowed everything.
Without drawing attention, Lory slipped a hand behind her back as if searching for something, then brought out a bottle of mineral water she just summoned silently from her spatial ring.
Lory then extended it toward them. "You should drink first," she said gently. "It's gonna be a long journey, and you'll need to reserve your strength."
The parents hesitated, exchanging a quick glance. Then their eyes fell on their daughter, who was so small, frightened, and fragile.
The mother reached out and accepted the bottle. "Thank you…" Her voice trembled. She twisted the cap open and brought it first to the girl's lips.
