[center][h3][color=8dc73f]Kryss[/color][/h3][/center][hr]There were kids... lost in the Abyss.

She already knew she hadn't misheard but to have those fears so casually confirmed through something as innocent as the nod of one's head...

Kryss was opening her mouth to begin a barrage of questions about the where, when, how, who, etcetera when a familiar voice derailed that train of thought. A second later a familiar face followed that voice and she reflexively hid her face, making use of her usually troublesome abundance of hair. Her heart was suddenly hammering in her ears and she barely heard the girl's further explanation and hasty assurance that their friends would be found and that they would be ok.

She nodded silently and after an all but whispered [color=8dc73f]"I have to go now." [/color]Kryss hastily departed. She took the most direct route back to the main library she called home. All she could think about was that there were lost children in the Abyss. Lost [i]human[/i] children that had been born on the surface, not down there in the depths. Up here was their home while the Abyss was a place they had to learn to navigate, not the other way around. How long would they survive?

[B]"Kryssa. [I]Kryssa![/i][/b]" Another familiar voice snapped the girl out of her thoughts. Her teacher and guardian, as well as the head librarian, had a look of deep concern on her aged face. She was holding Kryss' arm gently but firmly and for the first time the girl noticed she had been paying so little attention to what she was doing she had cut herself.

[i]That's right, I was just slicing the vegetables like I always do. I must have slipped. When did I get home again?[/i]

[color=8dc73f]"I-I'm sorry. I accidentally dropped some of the groceries on the way back, and then I was going to go get more and I.. must have forgotten along the way somehow. I'll go back, I'll buy it all back, I'll use my own-[/color]

[b]"Kryss." [/b]The older woman had been cleaning the cut under running water but now she stopped and looked knowingly into her eyes.[b] "What's really bothering you?"[/b]

Adults could be annoyingly perceptive at times. Rarely when you wanted them to be and usually when you wished they wouldn't be. Kryss was silent for a long while but under her guardian's patient gaze she eventually began to explain.

[color=8dc73f]"I was taking a shortcut past the orphanage after I lost some of our food and I overheard some girls talking... about their friends being lost somewhere in the Abyss. From the way they were talking.. I think they went beyond just the first layer. But it also sounded like everyone was still looking for them. I thought... after the first layer..."[/color]

Shutting the water off and retrieving a dry towel her teacher nodded. [b]"I see. It's true in most cases but sometimes there are those willing to search even deeper than usual. In any case you should leave it to the adults at the orphanage. You already know they're good people and if anyone has a chance at finding those kids it would be them. Meanwhile you,"[/b] explained the woman with grey hair creeping into her once brilliant red,[b] "should be worrying about you and be more careful with that knife. Why don't you go wash up, I'll finish getting everything ready here."[/b]

Kryss knew her teacher was right though she didn't like it. She knew all too well what it was like to be lost and alone down there. 

[i]Wait, did she just say...?[/i] Kryss looked up at the woman and wrinkled her nose, to which the other looked almost mildly offended.

[b]"What? Oh fine! I'll just cut up the rest of this and we'll do it together under your expert supervision oh master gourmet."[/b]

Though she didn't feel much like laughing that pulled a little giggle out of her. She nodded and started towards the washroom. Teacher was right of course. Even if she wanted to help so bad it hurt it was better not to get involved.

Right?