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After Leana and Crorie finally laid down to go to sleep, Leana found herself staring at the ceiling. She wished it was sky, above, so she could see the stars. Leana could name almost all of the glowing embers. At least the closest ones. Papa said he didn’t know the fainter ones, as well. And more or less guessed their names, from the reaches of his memory. He never said where he learned all their names.

Leana used to imagine all the possibilities, for how he learned… and reasons Papa wouldn’t want to say how he knew all he did.

She remembered hiking up to the top of the hill, not far from their home. All of them. Time and again. How they’d sleep in the grass, way up there, and Papa would point out the different lights. And tells stories about all of them. About why the Star Breather created all of them. Their purposes. Their fears. Their joys. He made one almost believe they were alive, with how passionately he spoke. Bethan definitely believed him, as she’d crawl in his lap, and he’d tickle her. Soon they’d all be playing tag, and laughing, in the rare dark night.

What star are you, Papa? 

Leana sat up, stunned, and looked about the room. Still dark. I couldn’t have been sleeping too long, then? Crorie was either still asleep or still faking that she was.

Leana dragged her feet over the edge of the perfect bed and gently stood. The cloud didn’t creak. She tiptoed, though she didn’t need to on this carpet, to the door. She glanced back, just a moment, and tried to pull open the door. It… Wouldn’t. Budge.

Leana bit her lips together and fear grabbing her chest. Is it like a prison cell? A lock, needed? Didn’t that nice guy mention a lock, when he dropped me off? She gritted her teeth a second. But it was simpler, than she thought it would be. She flipped the bolt and gently pulled open the door.

I’m gonna find Alessio. I can’t just wait here and do nothing. She remembered where their room was.

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@ragnarok @this-is-not-an-alien