They finished cleaning the enclosure in silence.
Ludwig hosed down the last patch of mud while Atlas shook himself dry. Mia wiped her hands on her hoodie, grain dust and deer scent clinging to her skin. The sun had fully risen now, pale and watery behind thin clouds.
Ludwig gave her a single nod toward the main building. No words. They walked back together, boots crunching on the gravel path, Atlas trailing a few steps behind like a silent guard.
The Sanctuary smelled of cedar and coffee as they stepped inside.
The common room was already warm and lit. Long wooden tables, mismatched chairs, a sideboard loaded with bread, fruit, and steaming pots. Ishtar sat at the far end, arms crossed, eyes sharp. Aglaë stirred sugar into her tea without looking up. Octave leaned against the wall, watching everything with that distant, calculating stare.
Marianne stood at the sideboard pouring herself a mug. She glanced over when they entered.
"Morning," she said, voice calm.
Mia felt it immediately.
The slight pause in conversation.
The way Ishtar's shoulders tightened.
The way Aglaë's spoon stopped moving for half a second.
The way Octave's gaze flicked to her face and then away, too fast.
Mistrust.
Not hatred. Not yet.
Just the careful wariness of people who had already been broken by someone who looked harmless.
Inside her head the alters stirred.
*Let me handle this,* Carmilla whispered, soft and worried. *I can smooth it over. I always could.*
*No,* Alice cut in, polished and urgent. *I'm better at this. Let me smile. Let me be the one they remember.*
Ami stayed quiet, but Mia felt her steady presence, waiting.
Lilith said nothing.
She only watched.
Mia took a step forward. The floor felt too loud under her boots.
Odin's calm voice floated from the hidden speakers.
"Good morning. Today will be humid with steady rain arriving by mid-morning. Please dress accordingly."
No one answered him.
Marianne offered Mia a small, careful smile and held out an empty mug. "Coffee?"
Before Mia could answer, the door behind her opened again.
Aster Roth stepped in.
He wore the same dark suit as always, cane tapping once against the floor. His single good eye swept the room, taking in everything at once. When it landed on Mia, the corner of his mouth lifted in the faintest, almost amused smile.
He crossed the room without hurry and stopped beside her.
His hand settled lightly on her shoulder.
The touch was warm. Steady.
The static in her head quieted instantly.
"Easy," Aster murmured, low enough that only she could hear. "You're not on stage here."
He gave her shoulder one gentle squeeze, then let go.
"Morning, everyone," he said, louder, voice smooth and casual. "Smells like Marianne made the good coffee again."
The tension in the room didn't vanish.
But it shifted.
Ishtar exhaled through her nose.
Aglaë went back to stirring her tea.
Octave's shoulders relaxed a fraction.
Mia stood there, heart still hammering, but the voices inside her head had stopped shouting over each other.
For the first time since waking up, she felt like she might actually be able to sit down and eat without the whole room watching her fall apart.
Aster pulled out the chair beside her.
"Shall we?" he asked, as if nothing at all was strange.