TRANQUIL - 3

Xayah hadn't been able to rest. Whatever sleep she'd gotten was filled with dark shadows, the smell of acrid metal filling her lungs. Haedians clad in dark iron with black and red robes haunted her dreams. Made a sense of danger consume her, even as she rested. The vayron was exhausted come morning, to say the least. Exhausted and confused. The only interaction she'd had with someone who bore those clothes was Ke'lal, and he hadn't uttered a single word to her. Though... the way he looked at her had the vayron unsettled. It was like he could barely contain the disgust and hatred, all of it pouring out through his eyes instead of his voice. The only others bearing resemblance to him were the groups of patrolling guards Xayah had witnessed many times. Never did they interact with the clans they were in, not that she'd seen herself that is. But... they watched. Always observed the expedition group and Cailu from a distance, now that she thought back on it.

Why Galen had her heal Ke'lal, she had no idea. Maybe to prove that the topsiders weren't an issue? They she and the others were to be trusted amongst the clans and could pull their weight? Even if Xayah were to ask him, prying an answer out of her temporary mentor felt... unlikely. Not out of malice, but just... well, how he was as a person. Galen hadn't proved to be quick with providing answers, but helping find the answers. Handy, yet frustrating in equal measure.

"You look as if you didn't sleep," Galen mused, head tilting slightly as he regarded Xayah once she was out of her room. The haedian's pale eyes narrowed slightly, flickering along her form as he scrutinized her before stopping on her face once more. 

"I... didn't. Not really. I kept having nightmares, but I'm not sure why. I feel... unnerved. On edge and afraid, but with no grounds for either of those feelings. It doesn't make sense." Xayah explained, sighing as the weight of her exhaustion hung heavy on her shoulders. Oh, if she could only lay down and go to sleep now. The threat of nightmares lingering, waiting for her to slip into the realm of unconsciousness served as an effective deterrent though.

Galen let out a quiet, contemplative hum but gave no other response. Not immediately, that is. The few moments he thought over what she told him and what he could do about it felt like they drug on for a longer time than they truly did.

"Come with me. Perhaps speaking with Pyrri will help you, will help soothe whatever is plaguing your subconscious." Galen told her, turning and leading the way only after Xayah started following him. The pair passed by Cislunar, the guard helping Lockheed and Ariadne sort through various herbs once more. The trio wouldn't be joining them, though. They hadn't been weighed down by a troubling fear, so would remain in the apothecary to continue the sorting and mixing of herbs. 

Xayah didn't say very much as they went further into the clan's territory, simply following along behind Galen as he took her further than before. Past the healing den and various other areas of care, somewhere quieter and... serene. Where only the quiet murmurs between other haedians could be heard, the soft grass beneath their paws somehow seeming even softer. Something Xayah was going to blame on her sleep deprivation. The vayron was certain even a stone slab would look like the softest cloud right now.

"Pyrri, we come seeking your guidance." Galen announced as he and Xayah ducked under the cloth door, voice quiet so as not to disturb the calm of the area.

Xayah was faced with a fluffy, white haedian with swirling pink markings that looked distinctly like hearts. Her posture was straight and her eyes were kind as she looked at them. Though, Xayah felt a bit... intimidated. If she were to ever admit such a thing aloud. Being faced with the clan leaders of this underground world wouldn't ever get easier, not with them holding the decision of if the expedition could continue or not. That kind of weight in an interaction was stressful.

"What troubles you?" Pyrri asked, turning herself to face Xayah completely while Galen took his leave. To give the pair privacy to discuss the weighing darkness on Xayah's mind. "Come, sit."

Xayah hesitated for only a moment before finding a spot to sit on one of the many plush cushions present that Pyrri gestured to, her tail winding around her paws in a silent attempt to ground herself some more. The stress of her nightmares was one thing, but the stress of admitting it to a clan leader? When the fear was due to other haedians? Xayah wasn't well versed in any of the many clans' dynamics with each other. What if they were close allies, and she greatly offends Pyrri by admitting this fear to her? 

"I..." Xayah started, swallowing thickly to try to eliminate the lump in her throat. "I'm not sure how to say it. I've never been harmed by them, but... Whatever clan Ke'lal is from haunts my nightmares, and I'm uncertain on why. I healed him with a crystal, and he didn't say a word to me, but... I've been unable to sleep."

Pyrri let out a quiet hum as Xayah explained, the haedian watching her form relax more bit by bit. There was more to this, but talking out loud wouldn't help them.

"Close your eyes and relax your mind. Join me in a meditation so I may see what troubles you, and so I can soothe these worries of yours."

Xayah stared at Pyrri for just a moment, briefly reluctant before deciding to let go and trust that this would turn out okay. She followed Pyrri's lead and closed her eyes, breathing deeply and slowly to she could relax. What she was to expect was lost on her, but soon enough soothing images and thoughts were being shared in her mind. Of how the clan Xayah's anxiety clung to were simply enforcers and eyes for their clan, and rarely needed to act. If that were the case for others, Pyrri didn't show her. But for their clan and those they worked closely with, the Order were nothing to fear. 

"Rest easy, Xayah. While I cannot say what is to come, should you go to their clan, I can assure you that you will be under no harm from them while with the other clans or our own." Pyrri told her, voice echoing almost in Xayah's mind. "Your dreams will be free of these visions. Rest now, and be at ease."