That next morning began just like every single other had before it; amazing breakfast before the sun was even up, some mild - and sometimes rather aggressive - flirting, the consequences of said flirting and then a quick wash.
After that we all made our way back to the platform to gather with our respective groups, and I don't know why I was even slightly surprised to find Valentina there all on her own, the black eyed woman staring at me silently as I approached.
It was still early and clearly everyone else was finishing their preparations before coming, so it gave us a few moments of silence that neither of us wanted to break; I stood near her but looked everywhere except at her, and she just studied me like she always did.
