Amara blinked awake, still slightly disoriented from sleep but gradually becoming aware of a cozy weight curled against her side. Elara was fast asleep, nestled comfortably next to her, with a peaceful expression that somehow made Amara's heart do an annoying little flip. She barely had time to process her thoughts when an all-too-familiar voice broke through the morning quiet, as unwelcome as a telemarketer at dinnertime.
[Good morning, Amara. So nice to see you in one piece! You're welcome, by the way.]
Amara stiffened. "Oh, you're back," she muttered under her breath, careful not to wake Elara. "Thought you'd finally left me in peace."
[Oh, no. I'd never abandon you so completely. I was merely… recharging after the little bandit skirmish. You're not easy to save, you know.]
She rolled her eyes. "Right. Because three days of radio silence is exactly what anyone wants from their supposedly helpful system."
