The pirate ship, hummed with the low thrum of its engines, a battered haven drifting in the void beyond the Kingdom's reach.
Vera, Aster, and Pako sprawled on Vera's bed, the glow of a recent holo-call with Syn still lingering in their eyes.
The screen was dark now, but the echo of his voice refused to get out of their ears.
Pako leaned back, her cropped black hair sticking out at odd angles, her t-shirt slipping off one shoulder.
"Aww, I miss him already," she sighed, her voice rough but tinged with genuine longing. "Syn's out there playing hero, and I'm stuck here with you depressing lot."
Aster, curled up with her knees drawn in, her blonde hair a golden cascade over her shoulders, nodded fervently, her blue eyes wide and wistful.
"Me too! It's not the same without him. I just want him back safe."
