Chapter 270: Setting Out

Malachi and Celeste spent the better portion of an hour in silence.

This wasn't by design mind you, but somehow they had settled into a bit of an awkward air.

Eventually, Malachi simply went back to leaning against the wall and brooding silently with his eyes closed. 

Just as it seemed he was on the verge of falling asleep, he felt a pair of hands grab him. 

Or, a part of him technically. 

Opening one eye, he found Celeste holding a very babyish Gwiya as she fed him jerky from her pocket. 

Manda soon became jealous, and he also went over to her side to demand treats. 

"...Is this how it's always going to be between us now?" she asked quietly. 

"What do you mean?"

"You've barely said ten words to me ever since that day that you left our quarters. I thought we had established a better friendship than that."