[Free Time - Yusra]

I’d stopped back at my room for a breather from all the social interaction, but soon I heard the click of a door, to my right this time. If I remembered correctly, that would be… Yusra, next door? I hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to her much– when she wasn’t helping Riko look for an escape route, she mostly kept to her room. Was she really doing okay?

After a few moments to gather my thoughts, I left the room and knocked on her door. She answered with a polite smile.

Yusra smiles.
Yusra
Oh, hello Timaeus. You’re chipper today!
Tim laughs.
Timaeus
Um, hi! I just– I hadn’t seen much of you, y’know? Are you doing alright?
Yusra smiles.
Yusra
Ah, I appreciate the concern, but I am simply a loner by nature. I’m doing about as well as I can under the circumstances.
Tim smiles.
Timaeus
Alright. I did also want to talk to you a little, is that okay? Can I come inside–
Yusra frowns.
Yusra
No. How about the library?
Tim blinks.
Timaeus
Oh… okay?

Her blunt response caught me off guard, but she didn’t sound upset, either? She closed the door quickly behind her and walked past me down the hallway. I followed, not sure what to make of her reaction thus far.

She got to the library well before I did, and sat down primly in one of the chairs by the fake fireplace. She watched me carefully as I sat across from her, fidgeting with one of her rings as she spoke.

Yusra thinks.
Yusra
So… what did you want, Timaeus?
Tim laughs.
Timaeus
I don’t want anything? I’d just like to get to know you better!
Yusra smiles.
Yusra
Is that so? I think it’s pretty dangerous to be socializing without an ulterior motive, in a situation like this…
Tim looks confused.
Timaeus
So you have an ulterior motive, then?
Yusra grins.
Yusra
Of course! And I suspect you do, too. You’d like to know my strengths and weaknesses, or whether I’m a potential threat to the stability of the group…
Tim frowns.
Timaeus
I hadn’t really thought of it like that…

Yusra thinks.
Yusra
I suppose it’s subconscious for most people. But I’m curious now– what do you think? What’s the biggest danger to our equilibrium?
Tim looks confused.
Timaeus
I’m not sure why you’re asking me, but…