Phoenix's voice still lingered in the air as she said "Hi". She stood on the small open clearing with Neo at her side, her long cloak swaying lightly in the night wind. Her smile was almost innocent, playful even. Neo, in contrast, was a statue of silence, his face expressionless and eyes fixed squarely on the group before them.
Xander stepped forward, his brows furrowed, jaw clenched with poorly concealed anger. "Where is Emeney?" He demanded.
Phoenix tilted her head as if the question were cute, then replied softly, "She's safe"
Xander's eyes narrowed.
Then Phoenix looked around them with a theatrical glance, and her smile faded into a soft, mocking sadness. "But…where's Rayne?" She asked, a teasing lilt in her tone.
The mention of his name hit harder than expected. Xander blinked, caught off guard. Commander Dion glanced at Xander, equally confused.
"What do you mean?" Xander asked coldly. "Why are you looking for Rayne?"
