Not really, but this is a good chance to know her better.

“Wouldn’t hurt to know a bit more about the boss. Sure, I’ll go with you.” You tell her with your best smile.

“You’re going to be a flirt, aren’t you?”

Your smile widens a little bit more, and you push away from the walls. “I can see that smile you’re trying to hide. I’m just a people’s person, so I tend to say things time-to-time that might be translated as that.”

Amara scoffs, eyeing you suspiciously. “We’re not going alone, by the way. I plan on having Alexandra tag along.”

“She’s pretty hurt, though. Are you sure about that?”

“Questions…” She mumbles. “Yes, I’m sure. She wants promotion of sorts, and if you can’t make a sale, then you aren’t going to be selected for a position like mine: a toymaker.”

You have a dozen questions that pop into mind that you almost ask, but you know Amara wouldn’t want you to ask anything else. So instead of asking her something, you just nod, which seems to satisfy her.

“I know you have questions, and I’ll be glad to answer them when I can. I’ve just got a lot of things to think about right now. Welcome aboard, Warren.”

“Ah, yeah, thanks. Glad to finally meet you.”

When you part ways, Flora takes Amara’s spot and sighs. Truth to be told, you were feeling pretty tired at this point, but if she’s coming up to talk to you after all your lousy couple of interactions, you figure it’s important. “Hey, bright eyes.” Your introduction makes her smirk, but she soon straightens her lips.

“Can we talk? Above ground? Just you and me?”

You look at the others as they unwind and probe Kenji’s side. It seems like whatever he was wearing prevented the bullet from penetrating his body. When you look back at Flora, you find her still staring intently at you. “Won’t the others-”

Flora interrupts. “It doesn’t matter what they think. They know neither one of us can leave. It’d be suicide anyway. But, listen, are you going to talk or not?”

Even though she’s acting like she’s giving you a choice, you can tell there’s no option to decline her request. “Yeah, I guess you and I have some talking to do. Now’s as good of a time as any.”

“Thanks,” Flora says, leading the way up the ladder above ground. You both step outside of the shack, meeting the cold air and gently falling snow. She hugs herself and stays silent for a few seconds. Then, she looks at you and lets out a soft sigh. “I acted super childish back there. I wanted to apologize.”

Flora pauses to consider her following words. “Besides the part where you tried to kiss me. I’m not sorry for telling you off and making you stay away from me, but the rest of it. I’m sorry for.”

You can’t manage much since her apology is kind of lackluster, but you still tell not to worry too much about it.

Under a slight blush, she holds her hands. “I suppose after all that. I do owe you some kind of kiss, don’t I?”

Now you can’t help but let out a laugh. She raises a hand, threatening you that she’s about to hit you, but you speak before she can put any action behind her gestures. “I wouldn’t worry about that either, but we could if you think that cancels any debt between you and me.”

In the dim lighting, you can see Flora smiling slightly. Her mouth becomes crooked as she looks up at you. “Close your eyes.”

“OK.”

Your eyes are closed for just a few seconds before you feel something soft and warm pressing against your cheek. They can’t be mistaken for anything else besides lips. You are taken aback slightly due to the speed she did. Your eyes were shut for no longer than a few seconds; there was no pause or **** behind her decision-making.

You’re staring at her without meaning to. She stares back, expecting a reply. You don’t want to keep her waiting, so you do chase her with something. “You have… very soft lips.”

A giggles parts for her lungs and goes into the open air. “Thanks.” There’s a tiny twinkle behind her eyes that tells you your compliment is well received.

There’s some more small-time banter that you share, but after the small peck on the cheek, there isn’t much that could make the moment any better, so you retire back underground to join the others sleeping…

...

...

In the morning, you wake up beside Kenji, who has passed out still from the stress from the night before. Then, Half-reluctantly, you sit up and see that everyone else has gone topside.

Carefully, you crawl around to get your clothes. Socks, boots, and coat— then up the ladder you went. On the surface, you found it to be much warmer than you expected. The chatter of the girls was accompanied by bird song and the distant traffic of Billings below. Scarlet was the first person to notice you, who waved you down to a dry spot beside her. When you plop yourself next to her, the others seem to detect your presence.

Alexandra and Flora lingered behind, watching Amara as she approached you and Scarlet.

“Good morning, Warren,” Amara says, smirking to herself. “Are you still good to run into Billings today?”

“I knew I was in for an adventure when you offered me this chance last night,” you tell Amara while you look up at her. "But I have to ask to make sure... You really want to take a risk today?"

Amara shrugs. “Is this because you're worried about Alexandra? I know she's hurt, but even she's ready. Don't tell me you are considering the puss out on us both. Do you want some one else to come along instead? Is that it?"

“I just thought she—“

“Hush. Answer the question.”

Scarlet nudges you as if she’s hinting at something, but when you look over, she’s looking down at the ground, plucking the brittle tall grass.

Behind Amara are the others. All things considered, Alexandra doesn’t look all that hurt anymore…on the other hand, your few interactions with her have been interesting, to say the least. Do YOU want to be around her? You’d guess there would be some bad blood between you two if you pick someone else. But, on the other hand, you do know Flora wants to be with Amara since she’s her only connection to her family. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll be increasing your relationship with whoever you choose to take with you.