The clock hand beside the elf's ear stopped moving. The ticking above the clock arena vanished. Only the golden second hand beneath their feet inside the deep blue arena continued turning stubbornly.
During the first minute of Lightchaser's silent contemplation, Rita waited patiently.
During the second minute, Rita frowned up at the sky, tapping the ground lightly with the tip of her foot.
During the third minute, Rita clasped her hands behind her back and paced in a small circle. She began to suspect Lightchaser might be messing with her. But then again, this was Lightchaser. Surely she would not stoop to that.
During the fourth minute, Rita noticed that Unchanged Fate was about to expire. She leaned forward slightly and whispered in the smallest possible voice.
"Lightchaser. Wake up. It's morning."
The only response was silence.
Maybe Lightchaser really was in the middle of some breakthrough.
