why are we back here again

But Osk was happy to see her nonetheless. She watched as Robyn moved, looking for any sign of injury, and was glad to find none, at least nothing she could notice from this far away.

If only she could peer into her mind just as easily.

Osk kept her distance, not wanting to startle Robyn or send her running. Again. So she watched from afar, waited for Robyn to come to her. Hoped that Robyn would come to her. Hoped that she would get the chance to assuage her fears and to tell her that she knows it wasn't Robyn's fault. That she knows Robyn would never hurt her.

But for now, the only thing she could do was wait.

So she found a crate she could sit on where she could still see the main command building, and where she knew she would be visible from when Robyn came back out.

It felt good to sit and rest. Her back ached from the strain of the last few hours and her energy was all but spent, not that she would ever admit it. She knew should still be in her infirmary bed, but when the camp exploded into chaos as the tempered turned violent, she could hardly sit by and watch.

She had no doubt A-Ruhn would chide her about it later, not that she would blame him. She would do the same had their roles been reversed.

It took a while, but when Robyn finally did emerge, she looked even more exhausted than before. She took a few steps to get out of the way before stopped and closed her eyes. She seemed to be taking steadying breaths, perhaps feeling the cold air fill her lungs or trying to clear her head.

When her eyes opened, they immediately met Osk's. She didn't seem as panicked as before, that was a good sign, but there was a sorrow in her gaze that made Osk's heart ache.

As Robyn made her way towards her, Osk got up and rushed to meet her half way, and buried herself against her sister in a hug.

"I am so sorry." Robyn's voice was rough with emotion.

Osk shook her head and pulled her in tighter, "it wasn't you. I know it wasn't you."

"Still, I should have stopped him. I should have…"

"You did," Osk leaned back just enough to be able to look at her face, "you stopped him and you saved my life."

They held each other for a while, content to let the world pass by around them.

"Saved only to condemn it once again…" Robyn mumbled.

"What was that?"

Robyn seemed keen to change the subject. "You know I would do anything to keep you safe, right?"

"Robyn, what happened?"

"I've arranged for an escort to take you home."

"What?! No!" Osk fully pulled away, "I can still help! I have been helping all day!"

Robyn shook her head, "it is too dangerous."

"I can take care of myself!"

"Zenos is still out here somewhere and no doubt pouting that his plans were foiled. If he was to come after you while I wasn't here…"

Osk knew she was shouting, but she didn't care, "well, where are you going then? Off to find another city holding all the answers at the bottom of the ocean, while I am forced to sit on my hands and do nothing but worry?"

"Osk…"

"We are stronger together! Let me help you with…whatever it is you aren't telling me, you don't have to face everything alone!"

"I can't save the star while having to worry about you!"

Robyn's raised voice caught everyone's attention as a hush fell upon the camp. The shock even helped Osk calm down and adjust her approach.

"I'm not that little girl who would hid behind your legs in a crowd, not any more."

"I know…"

"I have stood by your side and stared into the abyss without flinching."

"You have."

"You asked me to come here, asked for my help."

"I did."

"Don't send me away, please."

Robyn clinched her jaw and looked down at her feet as she thought. "Do you remember what Emet Selch showed us at the heart of Amaurot?"

Osk nodded, "The final days."

Robyn looked back up at her, "that is what is coming. Your family will need you, the whole Shroud will need you. I…I need you to protect them while I try to fix it."

She knew Robyn was invoking Gatty and the others to get her to agree, but the vision of fire raining from the skies was seared into her memory. "What will you do?"

"I don't know."

She reached out and pulled Robyn back into a tight hug once again. "Well I am sure Y'shtola will figure something out." That earned a chuckle from Robyn, a small victory at least. "Whatever you do, promise me you will come home, alright? If I can't be there to look after you, you will just have to be more careful."

Robyn squeezed her tight, burying her face into Osk's hair.