In a dark corner, two hushed voices converse.

<"You did not have to go to such a length just for me,"> he said. <"If I cannot work, I should not eat.">

The gaunt drone hesitantly bites into the poultry following her reassuring handwave.

<"You can work,"> she insisted, <"You have talents she refuses to recognize, but that does not make you useless. When we get out of this place--">

A glance of doubt and an uncomfortable silence.

<"...I do not think we ever will. It would take something...someone phenomenal.">

<"We will in due time, now hurry up.">

His ears flatten and he stops gnawing on the food he tightly clutches.

<"What makes you so confident?"> he asks.

She looks back behind her, listening for stray footsteps.

<"Call it a feeling.">

---

music

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