On the day of their first mission, the energy was palpable. The entire brigade had grabbed breakfast together, excited to get out of the Academy and finally put what they'd learned over the last eight months into practice. Theora had even managed to see Reylan the previous evening. While they hadn't broached any heavy subjects again, they had resumed training together almost twice a week, and they were back to their usual bickering. She wondered when he'd invite her to the rooftop again, but she also wanted to give him space to, she hoped, reconsider what she had told him and open himself up to a different mindset the next time they saw each other. She had decided to take Lylesia's advice and take things slow; the chemistry was there, but she and Reylan hadn't been able to establish that t
