Zephyr and Nicholas walked out together, resuming their bickering, each trying to prove who had been tougher earlier.
Persephone chuckled and walked up to them, hooking an arm around each.
"We let off some steam on your behalf just now." Zephyr ruffled her hair. "Feeling a bit better now?"
"Sephy, your Grandpa Nicholas' still got the moves!" Nicholas laughed. "But your taste, oh dear. You spent four years in university with that fella... Such a wimp, can't take a beating!"
"Nicholas!" Zephyr pursed his lips. "If you can't speak nicely, then keep quiet. Sephy's feeling upset."
Nicholas glared at him. "What's there to be upset about? Didn't we just thrash that kid?"
"You called him a wimp, implying Sephy can't choose right!"
"She never could. Why can't I say it?"
"You…"
"Grandpa Zephyr, Grandpa Nicholas!" Persephone was amused and exasperated by the two old men. "Could you two stop arguing? I've let go of Samuel already. Honestly, this fight was unnecessary for me."
Zephyr and Nicholas exchanged a glance, understanding without speaking. They knew Persephone might appear easygoing, but she was actually sensitive and deeply committed to her relationships. She might take a while to recover from this heartbreak.
And the best remedy for a broken heart was to embark on a new relationship.
"No," Persephone said. "I mean leaving Centrolis, going somewhere else."
Zephyr and Nicholas were stunned.
"I've grown up, but my life goals aren't that clear. I don't know what I can or want to do. I need time to think."
The two elderly men looked at each other and silently accepted her wishes.
Taking a trip might help. Seeing different aspects of the world might guide her to what she wanted to do.
"Besides contemplating my life, I have something very important." Persephone bit her lip, her tone incredibly resolute. "I want to go to Flinge. Greta might still be alive there, and I want to bring her back!"
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