A tense, fragile calm had settled over the main room. Fey was now lounging on a sofa, looking utterly unbothered, while the others were in various states of processing her actual reason for joining them—a strategic transfer by City Lord Glaine, not the explosive lie she had led with.
"So... you're an engineer. And you're here to help. That's... good," Clarissa said, breaking the silence with her characteristic grace, though her smile was still a bit strained.
"Right. Help," Veronica repeated, her arms crossed as she scrutinized Fey with deep suspicion. "Just keep your 'helpful' jokes to yourself."
It was Emma who, ever practical, broke through the lingering awkwardness with a pressing concern. "Okay, okay, enough about that! More importantly, what about our ride? That old armored car is on its last legs after that nest mission. It's gonna fall apart if we hit one more puddle!"
