Nova was quiet for a moment.

Underground.

White rooms.

People in white suits.

None of it sounded like any settlement she'd ever heard stories about.

She noticed the way Alia's voice caught before she changed the subject.

She doesn't want to talk about it.

Nova let it go.

"...Yeah."

She nodded once.

"I'm free."

The words came easily, but hearing them aloud made her realize how strange they sounded.

"I leave when I want. Stay where I want. As long as I've got filters and enough luck."

She glanced toward the broken skyline stretching across the horizon.

"I'm out here looking for supplies most days."

A small smile tugged at the corner of her eyes.

"...But mostly I'm looking for answers."

She adjusted the straps of her backpack.

"My mom used to tell me stories about the world before the Breach."

"Real trees. Blue skies. Oceans you could actually swim in."

She gave a small laugh.

"I've never seen any of it."

Her gaze drifted upward to the endless blanket of gray clouds.

"Doesn't mean I've stopped looking."

Looking back at Alia, she tilted her head slightly.

"You keep asking questions like you've never been outside before."

There wasn't any accusation in her voice.

Only curiosity.

"...Have you ever actually eaten real food?"

The question escaped before Nova had time to think about how strange it sounded.

She blinked.

"...Sorry."

"I just... have a feeling your world's been very different from mine."