The weapon was pushed down, and so was the tension. Aurora had not even realized that she had taken a protective stance in front of Rita but it did make sense for her to do so. She was fond of the girl and Michell was not a soft person.
But it did shock Aurora a little to see Michell of all people coming up to her for a trade. Michell was someone who never did things that did not profit her in the long run.
"An exchange, huh? Now you've got my interest" Aurora felt her curiosity spike as she calmed down. Now that there was no immediate threat looming over her head, she could take the time to access Michell.
"Hey, she just tried to attack us. Should you really be arguing with someone like her?" Rita asked, no doubt still salty about almost being killed. Not that Michell would have done anything to her. Had Michell wanted to kill them, they would be dead by now anyway.
However, it did make Aurora realize that the situation was a little out of hand for her. She needed to get the control back in the next few minutes or she knew she would lose the advantage she had gained here.
"Just to remind you all, this is strictly business for me. If you are interested, follow me. The specter is important to me but it's not invaluable" it was only because Aurora knew Michell that she caught the lie in those words.
The witch was really good at lying her way through any interrogation. Maybe that was why she was such a good candidate to get secret information through.
"Aurora, are we really going to follow her? What if she kills us?" Rita asked once Michell was out of their audible range. Aurora was sure the half-human could still hear them just fine from her range so she did not try to hide her real feelings.
Besides, she knew it was about time Rita got her life set straight. As fun as her innocent days were, she would not survive long with such a weakness.
"Sometimes, it is better to consider the future than the present. People like Michell are rare and it'll benefit to have them on your side. But of course, you don't have to forget or even forgive. Just tone your feelings down for now. She's the only one who can get you home" Aurora knew she was being unfair to Rita.
She should not be the one to inform Rita of all this in the first place. But this was just how the situation ended up as. Aurora could not look Rita in the eye when she followed Michell further inside.
And that was why she missed the curious and frustrated expression on Rita's face as the younger one followed after her.
"You'll take us to the surface?" Aurora asked as soon as she saw Michell observing the wall. Her hands moved all over the surface as she tried to find something there. Likely a trigger or something similar to open a door.
"Yeah. But more specifically, I'll be taking you to the edge of the surface now. You caught me at the best time since I was about to leave this place as well" Michell commented.
And again, another surprise. Not the timing, but the words.
"You don't want the information beforehand? What if we refuse to pay you after you take us up? Not that we're not going to pay or anything-" Aurora stopped before finishing.
This string of fortune was suspicious. She could not see the angle Michell was going for here and there had to be an angel here for Michell to attach herself to the cause. She just had to ask the question.
"What are you planning? You're not such a benevolent soul and for you to delay payment is unheard of" Aurora asked. She could see Rita catching up with the duo and waiting for her.
It also gave her the slightest view of Michell's expression. And the grin looked disturbing and greedy at the same time.
"Don't you worry your pretty head about this? Let's just say it's a part of a previous deal for me that had been paid for. As long as you are willing to give me the specter's location, everything would be alright" now it was confirmed.
The resistance had likely made a deal with Michell on Aurora's behalf. Whether it was a bribe or a peace offering, Aurora could not tell. What she could tell was that she had Michell interested in her.
"Whatever you people are brewing in the background, keep me out of it and we'll have a great partnership" Michell's grin widened at those words.
"Deal. Let's have a good partnership" Rita looked unimpressed at the deal but she did not object to the action. Not that it would have mattered much at this point.
The tunnel they were in was fragile and a single step would cause it to cave down. They had to move in there carefully and follow after Michell to not get lost.
Almost a few hours went by walking before Michell knocked at the upper surface before lifting it. Aurora's vision was filled with green as she lifted herself out of the tunnel.
"Here we are. Now, my payment" Aurora handed the paper with information in Michell's hands. She did not mind parting with that information.
The shout of 'finally, freedom' sounded from behind the pair as Rita made her way up as well. The poor girl barely made it out, her face red due to the lack of oxygen at the end.
"Going? Not gonna question the validity of the information?" Aurora asked once she realized that Michell was starting to move away from the group.
"I don't think I need to. Being in this business gives you a third sense of such things. And besides, you won't live long if this information is wrong. After all, I don't like to lose money" as much as Michell was joking, the last words were serious.
Aurora had seen the lady gut people for less.
"How charming of her to get the last words. I don't like her at all but I'm willing to give her the benefit of doubt. She did get us up" Rita replied in a sour voice.
She looked dirty and tired, but happy to be out in the sun. Aurora just shook her head at the younger actions, not paying her any attention for the time being.
"Let's get you home now. I'm sure you've had enough of my company" Aurora replied, getting back a beaming smile from Rita. She was not sure she wanted to know what was going through her head.