She looked between Ryley and Mitchell, her small face torn between wanting to stay and the allure of adventure.
Slowly, she reached out and took Mitchell's hand, her eyes still lingering on Ryley.
"Promise you'll come later?" she asked, her voice small and hopeful.
"I promise," Ryley assured her, his smile softening into something more genuine. "I'll see you soon."
Mitchell gently led Rosaline towards the door, her steps tentative but gradually growing more eager as she thought of the ponies.
Ryley watched them go, the room growing quieter with each step they took away from him.
However, just as Rosaline and Mitchell stepped out of the room, an unexpected sight greeted them.
"Rosie? How cute you look today! Are you ready to go?" Mervyn's voice dripped with faux charm, his cunning smirk a stark contrast to the innocence of his words. "Aww, look at the matching trench coat too!"