and as you leave there are children playing at your feet

Theory gulped air like she was drowning. She'd spent so long staying upright and brave for Abaven that the release of finally falling apart in front of someone she knew that she could trust was almost overwhelming. All of her grief spilled out at once in an unconquerable wave. She clung to Poem like a life raft in turbulent waters - it was the only thing she could do to keep her head above her own torrential emotions.

"I'm so glad you've come back. Please, you and Mo have to help me. I need a secondary... I need a lead diplomat... I need my sisters," she sniffed, trying to clear her head so that she could make her request clearly through the tears. She was getting by - learning was always fast when it was trial by fire - but she could use the support of her siblings now more than ever. Of course, she didn't know what had transpired when Poem was away or the terrible bargain she'd made for Motif's freedom. All she wanted was her sisters close and life back to normal - or as normal as it could get.