Fair.

Doll came to just as Aella finished reading her mother’s diary and closed it.

“Finally awake I see.”

Aella stared quietly at the ceiling, “I could say the same for you…”

Doll looked at the young girl in bed. “It’s true, I think we both needed a rest”

“I’ve rested enough, I need to go help Claire.”

“Not so fast hun” Aella turned to doll, “You might not see it now but you’re in no position to rescue anyone, with my ability I can sense your energies, your body’s fine but you pushed yourself too hard before, it will take some more time to recover fully.”

Aella stared back at the ceiling, “It doesn’t matter anyway, I have no way of knowing where she was taken.”

“I know exactly where.”

Aella sat up quickly, “Where!?” Felling faint Aella fell sideways off the bed and Doll had to catch her.

“See what I mean? You need more rest.” Doll lay Aella back in bed.

“Where?”

“President Polot has taken her to the capital, he’s a banded warrior too.”

“Polot… my mother mentioned him in her diary…”

“I know.”

Aella turned to doll inquisitively.

“Well you were out for a long time, and I couldn’t resist reading the diary of Udo’s favourite student, he always talked about her so much and I wanted to know her too I guess… plus there’s nothing else to read round here.” Doll smiled at Aella “I’m sorry if I upset you by it.”

“It’s ok” Aella couldn’t stop looking into Doll’s eyes. They seemed to be magical to Aella, she struggled on to her hands and crawled to the edge of the bed, leaning over to Doll.

“Hey, I said you need rest, what are you doi-”

Aella’s lips met Doll’s, their softness and smoothness felt so pleasant to Aella, she savoured the second or so that the kiss lasted before passing out and landing in dolls lap.

Doll stroked Aella’s hair before putting her back in bed.

Could she really fight her when she got her strength back? Doll knew she had to win the competition and she thought it was worth any cost, but could she really win and stay human, what would it say about her if she fought this girl who cared for her, who didn’t want to fight. Wouldn’t that make her the same as Cadence?