I put the paper down slowly, letting it rest on the table as if the weight of it was more than just ink and parchment. I leaned back in my chair and exhaled through my nose.
"Ok," I said, breaking the silence, "we have two problems now, taking care of the rebels and putting the heavenly monsters in their place."
Lucy didn't rush to answer. She simply nodded once, calm and steady, like she had already accepted that reality long before I said it out loud.
"Seems so," she replied.
The room fell silent again. I stared at the ceiling for a moment, my thoughts moving faster than my words. Then, without fully thinking it through, I spoke.
"You know what," I blurted, straightening up, "let's visit those pets today, and we can take care of the Rebels' problem on the way."
Lucy turned her head slightly, studying me, but before she could respond, Maria finally intervened. She folded her arms, her voice thoughtful rather than hesitant.
