"There's something I need to tell you."
Aven's voice cracked. He bit his lip hard, trying his best not to look at Elian's eyes.
Elian blinked at him, confused. "…What?"
"It's about what that giant eye said earlier— I want to tell… say that… um," Aven fidgeted. "Your s—"
"Ah-ah!" Crix clapped his hands loud enough to make everyone flinch. "As much as I'd love to hear confessions… we need to check the whole Sector first. I'm going to unwrap my… our new property!"
Aven frowned, but he didn't argue back. What Crix said was true.
But Elian caught the guilt buried in Aven's tone and the way he kept avoiding his gaze, but for now, he let it go.
Who wouldn't want to see the place they'd just fought their asses for?
The Advertiser's tale can wait. It's not like he can go anywhere else.
The team moved out together, leaving the Casino behind. Aven had bought himself a new set of clothes that looked exactly like his previous one.
