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[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/d27ab5e7-ae00-4588-bcef-305ed7c8427f.png[/img][/center]
[code]Grand Ridge Academy[/code]
[sub][@Surtr Inc][/sub]
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Paige woke up early, as had been her habit for a long time. She'd taken up residence in her old room in Grand Ridge, though it didn't feel familiar any more - more like she hadn't been there in years, which was technically possible, since she still had no idea how long she'd been unconscious. She wondered if there was anything else worth taking, having already stuffed a backpack full of spare clothes, water, and what non-perishable good she could find. She looked over at the violin, conflicted - it had great sentimental value, but it was extra weight and would be easy to lose if she was put in danger. In the end, she decided to bring it down to the lobby, as that couldn't do any harm, and she could always leave it behind without too much worry if a quick exit was necessary. Besides, once everyone else was up, she might have time for a performance without having to worry about waking anyone.

That decided, Paige slung the backpack over her shoulders and walked to the lobby, dressed for the cold weather but as usual with barely a spot of colour. She was audible before she was visible, and her distinctive gait meant that Britney would have known she was coming several seconds before she walked in. For Paige, though, Britney's presence was a moderate surprise, and she rose a single eyebrow slightly as she entered, dumping the bag on the floor next to the seat she took. She sat so that she could see Britney's face, but only in her peripheral, so that her own face was slightly obscured by the angle. She also sat quite far away from Britney - they would be able to hear each other at a normal volume of speech, but they were well out of reach of each other. Ultimately, Paige was still unsure whether to trust Britney.

Paige laid her crutch over her legs and sat in silence for several seconds before speaking. "I understand why you didn't tell us," she said, plainly. "The Abstractions, I mean, how we can give and take them from each other. That knowledge, that greed could rip us apart. So I understand your choice. However, I do not agree with it."

She let the words hang in the air for a moment. Paige was not facing Britney, but was watching her dead in the eye for any kind of reaction.