A pit formed in Dahlia’s stomach as she watched Quinn struggle, not just with the thought of the interview, but with having to pick a meal, too. Part of her knew the question was coming even before it was asked, and she scrambled inwardly for the right way to answer it. Was it better to refuse, to push back against the relapse and insist she make her own decision, or at least help her make one? Or was that too much? Would that make her feel worse, make her choice harder and set her back even further than she already seemed to be sliding. 

She felt so helpless—something that had become more and more common since Hovvi. Seeing Quinn struggle was hard, and seeing her struggle [i]now[/i], with all the wonderful progress she’d made, was much harder. 

But the interview was coming, and Dahlia knew that this little slip would be nothing in the face of whatever might happen if things went poorly tonight. So, with regret in her heart and as warm and understanding a smile as she could muster on her face, she took the menu away and sifted through it. 

When the waiter came by, she ordered the burger and milkshake for herself, and a chicken basket with fries and an orange soda for Quinn. She tried to phrase it as if she was just reciting what Quinn had said she wanted.

Then she turned her attention to Quinn’s interview worries. She’d be lying if she tried to say Mona [i]wouldn’t[/i] ask about the duel; Quinn had made a very bold and unprecedented decision, and people were…well, they were confused, and curious, and in other places they were mad but in Runa she’d seen mostly support. 

“[color=skyblue]Just be honest about it. Be honest, and concise, and don’t elaborate, y’know? Mona’s been doing this a long time, she can pick up when her guest doesn’t wanna talk about something. It’s not like a news interview, she won’t try to…[i]catch[/i] you, or anything, if that makes sense?[/color]” She slouched over the table, trying to recall how she’d gotten through her own interview. “[color=skyblue]Just…talk about the things you like! No one really knows anything about you yet, and here’s a hint—people [i]love[/i] to hear about the day-to-day stuff we do. Talk about training, and sims, and even where we eat! It’s really easy for folks to forget how normal we are, they like the reminder![/color]

“[color=skyblue]Here! Like this. I’ll ask you a question, and I want you to give me a short answer, and then, y’know, swerve it into a topic you [i]do[/i] wanna talk about! Ready? Here: ‘[i]Hey, Quinnlash[/i],[/color]” she deepened her voice, even though Mona had a higher voice than she did. “[color=skyblue]‘[i]Everyone wants to know why you didn’t kill the Helburkan girl! What’s up with that?[/i]’[/color]”