Deep Holdings hold an interesting place in Awakened culture. They are almost only ever found in SmallPonds and yet most closely resemble a more typical WidePond society.

  The Holdings themselves exist within the Depths, typically in the 10th or 11th level. Extensive use of Constructs is required to ensure the safety of the inhabitants, most of which are below level 10. Extra care is taken in the areas dedicated to children to ensure they have no issues prior to Awakening.

  Deep Holdings interact with both their local Surface Holdings and the WidePond at large, forming a bridge between the societies. A vital role, even if often maligned.

  ~ * ~

  Seb shifted slightly on the bed as Anya wrapped herself against him. The day had been longer and stranger than he would have predicted before the left the Depths. Finding Fay in their house had been a shock, her utter terror in the moment something he still hadn't come to grips with.

  He ran his fingers down Anya's back as he thought, feeling Anya's contentment over the band as he did.

  Sorry we didn't get to celebrate, he sent.

  Don't you start. We did celebrate.

  Yes but I know we both wanted-

  And we will have time later, she sent back. Fay needed to be part of the day.

  She needs more than that, but it's not as though we can.

  We can't force her to move out of those dorms, no. Seb could feel her agreement and determination. But we can be here for her, we can be back more often and let her be herself.

  Seb smiled at the thought. When he'd left to get food Fay had still looked half spooked. Her clothes were rumpled, her hair had almost entirely broken free of her usual bun, and it looked like her eyes kept losing focus. The serious professional who had explained Paths to them months ago was missing, the engaged researcher who got caught up in sharing her theories was quiet.

  When he got back she was nowhere to be found, if Anya hadn't been smiling he would have worried. She'd refused to tell him anything, letting Fay come down the stairs in some of her clothes tell the story. She'd looked refreshed and calm, albeit still quiet.

  He turned his attention back to Anya as she bumped his chin with her head.

  Did I lose you?

  Sorry, he said. Was remembering I still had to get even with you.

  Oh?

  He ran his fingertips down her side until she started to giggle.

  Stop that!

  Or what?

  He had his answer as she tickled him back, neither of them escalating beyond a bit of teasing.

  Fine! he sent as he kissed the top of her head. You made your point.

  I had her pick out enough clothes that she'd be fine for a week around the house, Anya sent.

  He almost wondered if she'd been reading his mind, known what he had been thinking about when he got distracted, before realizing she probably had been thinking something similar. They were both concerned, they both had seen and heard the same things today.

  Are you going to need to take her shopping? he asked. She's always wearing one of a couple outfits, even if the colours might have changed.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Maybe? I'll have to ask her.

  Seb nodded, his hand having found its way back up to Anya's neck as they spoke to run through her hair.

  I like that, she sent.

  I know love.

  He felt her shiver slightly at his words. They might be past the first few days where either of them saying that word made one or both of the blush, but the word still mattered. He still had mornings where he thought this was all a dream, where he had to remind himself that yes, it was real. He was fairly certain Anya did as well, he'd seen the look in her eyes more than once, the band filling with quiet uncertainty.

  Rios, he said and felt her tense.

  What?

  When you mentioned the coffee shop earlier, he clarified. You were scared.

  I- she paused and he felt her pull herself closer still. Yes.

  He's gone. We're both safe.

  I know Seb. I just, it just.

  He held her and said nothing. He felt her tense and relax, tensing again after a moment only to finally let herself rest against him.

  Rios was bullshit, she said, no heat behind the words. But he brought us together in a way nothing else might have.

  Seb held her, his fingers still running through her hair in idle patterns. They'd had a long day, all their plans had been disrupted. But they had each other, they were here, together and they would have time later.

  And now they had Fay. Not Seer Feh-lan, but Fay. She was still their Liaison, but more importantly, she was their friend. And, he thought, feeling Anya's resolve through the band even though nothing was said, they would be there for their friend.

  ~ * ~

  Breakfast the next morning was a significantly calmer affair. Fay was mostly back to her usual self and the meal went by in near silence. They'd all agreed to move their official update forward a day and Seb had a fresh pot of coffee brewing.

  Anya leaned back in her chair and cradled her cup in her hands. She'd slept well after admitting how much Rios still bothered her, and how conflicted she was over his effect on her life. Seb seemed to have understood even if he hadn't said anything.

  As Seb sat back down at the table Anya smiled at their new roommate. Although this was meant to be their 'Seer Phelann' meeting Fay didn't look the part. Her hair was still down, disheveled from sleep, her professional outfit was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a borrowed robe that was just slightly too big for her.

  "We already mentioned that we leveled up," Anya said. "We also managed to defeat a Horned one, it really wasn't that much of a threat when we work together."

  "It was still a threat," Seb disagreed. "It might not have been as dangerous, or at least not as likely to catch me by surprise. I still had to come face to face with another of those things though."

  Anya glanced over at him, she hadn't realized that he'd been that nervous. She'd felt his anticipation and stress when they found the creature, but that was not the same as him saying that he had seen it as a threat.

  "A Horned one above your level is not an easy foe," Fay answered. "I'm guessing you'll be moving deeper into the Depths for your next trip?"

  "Yes," she replied. "Everything was getting fairly easy at the end and we were having to range further each day to find anything to fight."

  The conversation went on for nearly a half hour. They went over the details of their plans, clarified the progress they'd made with their techniques and generally kept the conversation professional.

  Fay seemed a little disappointed she couldn't pull up the EDN feed and show them what she'd found, however her memory of the details was enough to let them reassure her they'd look over everything and even start making guesses at how it might help them.

  Fay's enthusiasm for her research was a refreshing contrast from her anxiety the day before. She'd always been happy to talk about it with them, to join their discussions when they were all together, but today she was constantly smiling, she even managed to interrupt them a couple times without immediately apologizing.

  Finally their meeting was over, they'd run out of topics that were Holding or Dive related.

  "So Holding progress meeting in a month?" Seb asked.

  "I'll make sure to be here," Fay answered. "On time."

  "And we're having dinner together in 2 weeks. This time we're going to try one of those restaurants we told you about," Anya added.

  "We-, you-" Fay nearly stuttered.

  "We're having dinner with a friend," Anya clarified. "You."

  She could see Fay trying to process, trying to find an answer, trying to-

  "I'd like that."

  The faint smile that followed the words was almost more surprising than the acceptance. It seemed a little forced, but genuine all the same. Anya had been sure they would need to convince her.

  "And no more sleeping on the couch," Seb said in a scolding tone.

  Seb! she sent.

  "I'll sleep there if I want to," Fay answered with more confidence. "But the bed is nicer."

  Seb! she sent again, unable to keep from smiling as she did. He'd pushed, and once again it worked out.

  "I'd hope so," he agreed.

  "I need to get back to work," Fay said as she stood. "I didn't get anything done yesterday, they're going to-"

  "Tell them you were helping us deal with a Holding issue. That we needed our Holding Liaison's advice," Anya suggested. "You were with us after all."

  Fay seemed to hesitate for a moment before nodding. "I was helping the Lord and Lady Holder help a friend?"

  Anya grinned and stood up as well. "Exactly. We had a friend who needed our help."

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