[color=67D3D6][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/z1WkyYs.png[/img][hr][/center][/color]

Crying is a strange thing. So many thoughts went through Maive's head that, really, she couldn't pinpoint an exact one. She had an inkling of what made her cry, but couldn't quite put it to words if she was asked. It was more that she was thinking in feelings. When she finally felt the hand of someone else, she instinctively reacted.

Maive's arms wrapped around Sofia's torso as the crying girl grasped for comfort. Anything at that moment would have done.

Then Sofia became acutely aware of a bizarre fact about Maive.

Her diminutive stature didn't mean she was weak.

No.

She was [i]condensed[/i].

Like a vice grip, Sofia was now being fully assaulted by the most brutal hug she must have ever experienced. Two neodymium magnets had suddenly found each other and connected. Sofia's shirt had suddenly been blessed by a deep imprint of Maive's crying and snotty face. Her feverish wailing changed to sobs. Then, it changed to deep breaths and hiccups.

Finally, Maive let go. Her glasses were smudged. Her eyes looked more like coloured marshmallows. She desperately wiped the remaining snot off her face using her forearms. 

She'd bury it. It didn't matter if it was a hatchet or her own feelings at this moment. Sure, she was alone and confused. But she had to be strong. She always did.

Suddenly slapping both cheeks, Maive looked to the trees. She took one last deep breath.

Rather than acknowledge what Imogen had said, Maive turned back to Imogen. Her face wasn't that of embarrassment, nor was it full of sorrow. Now, her cheeks were red from determination--at least temporarily. She stretched a hand towards Imogen. Thankfully, all of her snot had been wiped on her forearms and Sofia.