With the imminent threat dealt with, you remember that you had companions with you. Companions who no longer seem to be with you. Before you panic however, Hinako pokes her head out from around the corner. Seeing that the coast is clear, she steps back into the hallway. "Are you alright?" you ask her. Her expression is difficult to read and when she speaks, her tone is neutral. "A bit more warning next time." You grin sheepishly and apologize. Hoping to change the subject, you ask,"where's Imari?" She beckons you and you follow her around the corner, where you find Imari slumped against the wall. She's sitting there curled up in a ball and shivering. Apparently this is a little too much for her to handle. You ask if she's okay, but she doesn't acknowledge you and when you try to put a hand on her shoulder she shrinks away. You look to Hinako, who says, "she always was kinda timid. Let me talk to her."
With that she kneels down in front of Imari and gently takes her hands. She just sits there with her friend until Imari begins to stir. She looks at Hinako as if it were for the first time. "Onee-chan?" her voice is barely more than a whisper. Hinako nods her head and says, "hey, welcome back. You okay?" Imari nods. "Think you can stand?" again, her tone is calm and patient, two things you're a little short on at the moment. "Look, we need to get moving," you snap. You immediately regret it when Imari ducks her head down as if she were scolded. Hinako gives you a glare that silences any further outburst you might have said before turning back to her friend. "I know you're scared Imari, that's understandable. We're gonna get out of here but I need you to be brave, alright?" Imari ponders this for a moment before looking her friend in the eye and nodding. With Hinako's help, she's back on her feet. When she glances at you, you try to smile reassuringly. But she quickly looks away and tightens her grip on Hinako's hand. Guess she's a little scared of you.
After the show you just put on, can you really blame her?
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