Ione arrived to her room and almost immedietly took the talisman off of Paige. She needed someone to talk to right now. It would take some time for Paige to get her strength back, but that also worked on her favor. She could get her thoughts in order while she waited. _'Why did I say that? Saoji wouldn't have left if I had just kept my mouth shut. But well, he seemed really interested in Henrietta. Maybe this works both ways. I may have to avoid him too now, if he gets talking with that girl.'_ She slowly got into a sitting position and hugged her knees, while looking at Paige slowly regain mobility. She also took her hat off, it seemed suffocating. 

**"Geez, what was that for? You don't have to get so angry about a simple slap! It's just... being... friendly? Ione..."** Ione was taking the bands off her hair, letting it free again. Her hair was really long, though her usual hairstyle didn't reveal that. **"Why are you crying?"** Paige's question drove it right home. She was startled at the mention of her crying. She quickly wiped away the tears with her hand, though she had just noticed them. 

**"I... I... I don't know! But I'm okay. I swear it... I am."** She fought her tears back and they stopped. She was surprisingly good, after all, when it came to keep the tears in check. She thought he had the same control over her emotions, but it didn't seem like it now. **"I just felt lonely, that's all. I'm... really glad you are here, Paige."** She said, smiling at Paige. Paige smiled wistfully and was about to hug her friend, but then the knocking on the door interrupted their moment. Ione was about to shout at them telling them to get away, she just didn't feel like taking any kind of guests right now. 

However, when she heard it was Saoji, she felt relief in her heart. She was happier, even if a little bit. **"Coming!"** She shouted, from inside the room. Paige was a bit disappointed that their emotional moment was interrupted, but she was happy to see Ione's spirits going up again. She quickly stood up and took off any dust that may have stuck on it with her hand. After clearing her throat, she was finally ready to open the door. She opened the door. **"Welcome."** She said, in her usual cold tone. **"It's good that you came."** She changed her tone yet again, this time sounding a lot more cheerful... Maybe the way a girl her age should speak. She was also smiling. It wasn't a big grin, but it was indeed bigger than the other smiles she had showed Saoji up until now.