[ olivia's fork hesitates over another bite of cake, and her entire body seems to freeze in that moment. how are things going. it is an innocent enough question, general as general can be, but there is a tone to her voice and a look that olivia will know will be there as soon as she looks up from her lap — both things her heart is too weak to endure.

she knows what ramir must mean. knows it as well as she knows of the woman's friendship with achilles, something she does not begrudge anyone for, but it is nonetheless a fact that glares whenever he is brought up. a quiet reminder to censor herself. the last thing she wants to do is complicate other relationships. ]

Fine, [ she says, in a way that makes it obvious her lie, but with a quiet sort of finality that insists ramir believe her anyway. she scrambles for any other bit of news to speak about. ]

I was — able to speak with Mr. Llyod from Human Resources... He thinks there may be a good chance I'll be able to send a letter to the two Qorral I had helped heal.