--- Appoline ---
Wiggles was curled up on one of the many, many nearby chairs asleep, while Grunkle had gone off to do this own thing. It left Appoline alone with her thoughts. Images of chains came to mind and the large, spacious room felt so much smaller. Placing a hand on her chest, Appoline calmly breathed in and out a few times to settle her racing heart. It took longer then she wanted, and occasionally her other hand would twitch towards her storage ring. She didn't reach for it. Not at the moment. Not for now.
*I'm a touch surprised Kat and Lily left me alone. The massive worry-warts. Then again… I have been careful not to show how stressed I've been. Spending so much time outside has helped… but there was more than one reason I took to brewing in the backyard of Steel's house.
