"I could feel a bit of her, you know. When we touched skulls." Ivy whispered.
"I know," Lunae replied in a hushed voice. "I've felt the same with Sonera. It's a budding process. Force it enough, and you'll get a bond."
Lila had recovered enough to go check on Rena, having been informed of the situation. Much to Ivy's dismay, she was even more resolute than Lunae in her decision to help. She knew what it was like to be alone and afraid, and felt a duty to give Rena her aid.
The heiress would prefer not to leave her side, but since she still had Lila in her sight and had really no intention of seeing to Rena, the situation was ultimately acceptable.
"She's going to try it, you know." Lunae continued. "She'll ask Yrix. And make a bond with you."
"You make that sound so... ostentatious." Ivy huffed, a bit of sass leaving her tongue. "I don't think I'm ready for that."
Lunae sighed, sitting close to Ivy as they both looked down at Sonera. "I've wanted one with this girl here since the moment she first defended me."
"Love at first sight. Really?" The heiress stated in disbelief.
"Sometimes, you just know what you want."
"I can't relate."
"Oh?"
Suddenly, Sonera lurched upwards, her eyes darting about frantically. She seemed unaware of her surroundings and began to struggle. It took the combined strength of Ivy and Lunae to hold her down.
"Sonera!" Ivy grunted, restraining the girl's arms to avoid getting hit. "Lunae, calm her down!"
Lunae unveiled her tail, using it to caress Sonera's cheek as she whispered into her ear. The lullaby eventually took hold, and the frantic girl went limp. When all was said and done, only Ivy seemed surprised.
"Lunae..." Ivy muttered, staring at her tail, gawking at the way its tip bloomed to unfold a series of tendrils. "You..."
Lunae breathed deeply, cradling Sonera's face. "I know."
Sonera finally released a labored gasp, clutching both Ivy and Lunae's hands. The heiress looked down at her in concern, then began to roll her eyes as the girl leaned over and rubbed her face against Lunae's brow. Something about the pair's unabashed attraction made her a bit restless.
"There you are." Lunae giggled.
Sonera merely panted as a reply. Some part of her was desperate for Lunae, especially after what Yrix had done. The scar left on her mind was rather apparent that way.
"What did she do to you?" Ivy squinted.
Sonera ignored her and smiled. "You made it. Is Lila-."
"I took care of her."
"Good. Thank you."
Sonera looked away in guilt, her words trailing off into silence. She felt guilt for her inability to be of any assistance. That much was clear to Ivy.
"There wasn't anything you could have done. I've faced a strong Psion now. Yrix is well beyond that level." The heiress explained calmly, attempting to ease Sonera's conscience.
Sonera shook her head. "I can't save any of you. Not as I am."
"We're in this together, my radiant light." Lunae smiled tenderly.
Ivy looked on with a judgmental gaze as Lunae's tail wrapped around Sonera's leg. It was as if the alien girl couldn't help herself. Such promiscuity left the heiress off guard and, therefore, very surprised once Sonera reached out and placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"You did well." Sonera broke her silence, nodding her head.
"That's high praise coming from the girl who knocked me out." Ivy joked.
The assassin released an uncharacteristically sly grin. "It was a bit fun."
"Oh, please. Lunae was right. You are a freak."
"If it weren't for Lunae-."
"OH PLEASE."
Lunae giggled. "Take it as a compliment, Ivy."
"I know I'm pretty." The heiress groaned. "And I don't need to flaunt it."
"What's wrong with flaunting?" Lunae snickered more mischievously, shaking her exposed hips. "Let a girl be confident."
Sonera bobbed up and down a bit due to her position on Lunae's lap. She smiled a bit childishly for a brief moment, taking in the view. She rarely ever felt comfortable in that way.
"I wanted to say-." Ivy exhaled. "I'm sorry to you too, Sonera. Jokes aside. You must have had it very rough growing up. I should be bringing out this side of you more often, not drowning it out."
Sonera picked herself up with some help from Lunae before clasping the heiress's left palm with both her hands.
"You weren't ever wrong." She assured the heiress. "Just confused."
"Oh, I forgot about that tidbit." Ivy jested. "We're both racists. We really should bond over that."
Lunae didn't understand the topic whatsoever and simply smiled with a blank expression. What really mattered to her was that the group was still flourishing despite Yrix's efforts. Perhaps one day, she imagined, they could come together and truly resist her.
"So," Ivy continued. "I take it Lunae's filled you in on Rena. Without words, I mean."
"You killed Imura, yes?" Sonera glared, losing her friendly expression.
Ivy nodded.
"Good."
"She did a number on us."
"So did Yrix."
Lunae chimed in. "So you agree?"
"Yes." Sonera nodded. "We help Rena however we can."
The blue-haired girl looked up at the ceiling, seemingly suspicious of the whole situation. If Yrix was willing to lie about their break, then the possibility of her planning Rena's condition was not at all out of the question. Worry and doubt soon clouded her mind.
"I just wish we got a real break," Ivy complained. "None of this trial crap."
"Perhaps we can convince Yrix to actually promise it this time." Lunae pondered, shamelessly rubbing her hands on Sonera's thighs out of sheer nervous instinct. "She never did give her word, come to think of it."
"You think that monster has honor?" Sonera growled.
"No," Ivy responded bluntly. "But we can't keep doing this. Lila won't survive."
"Neither will Lunae."
Lunae looked down in shame. She felt exposed and embarrassed, regardless of how true the statement was. It was an insufferable experience, feeling so useless.
Perhaps her mother had a point.