A soft creak of the front door echoed through the quiet halls of the building. They knew they shouldn’t really be leaving, but it’s important. Need to get to the academy to watch them again. Not immoral.
Yao barely had turned the lockpicked-open doorknob before they heard footsteps behind them. Only one person would walk out of a ceremony to go fetch them. They exhaled nervously.
“Yao.” It said behind them.
“Alexiel..” They muttered back.
The person crossed their arms and tilted their head, eyes narrowing. By then, Yao bothered to turn around to see it, and.. the others brought along.
She awkwardly stood behind Alexiel— Head turned away. He looked like he had been running around trying to find the other two for the past minute or so.
“It was a ceremony. You weren’t there. I needed to fetch you.” Said, where it’s clear it’s said this multiple times now.
“Could’ve just went yourself?”
“Davies followed me out. And like the dog Gil is, he followed.”
The man scoffed, “Oh fuck you.” His tone was breathless, still clearly tired from running around. Yao didn’t blame him.
The woman nervously played with frayed edges of her scarf. “.. You’ve been leaving ceremonies a lot, Yao.. I’m worried..”
The men cleared both their throats at the same time, “Only she is. But still.” They eyed eachother. “You’ve been mad suspicious.”
“You’re also going against strict rules. Page 12 says not to leave during important events, such as ceremonies.”
Yao raised a brow, “And you three aren’t?”
“I am permitted.”, it huffed, offended.
Yao rubbed their neck nervously, feeling the collar, “Right.”
A loud silence stretched between the four people.
“.. Let us escort you back.”
He scoffed, “You’re actin’ like a fucking cop—“
She interrupted. “.. Yao, how about you tell us what you’ve been up to when you leave..?”
It and He looked over but shrugged.
Yao looked nervous, “It’s .. unpermitted for me to speak about it.” Which earned a groan.
“Just.. tell us Yao..! We’ll help if it’s possible..”
“We’re gonna fuckin’ what??”
It put a hand up. “No, she’s right. Go on Yao. I am .. curious.”
They exhaled. “.. It’s.. about Ev..”
It perked up like saying the word ‘treat’ to a dog.
He smirked a little, now engaged in the conversation instead of sulking to the side.