She kept her head bent low when Engel graced her with a cruel smile. His spill and her tears were warm on her face and shame continued to course violently through her as she remained sitting forlornly on the ground. Theo was trying to comfort her and she nodded in acknowledgement, bent but not entirely broken even though her pride lay shattered by her feet. At least she'd managed to save a life. "It's okay." There was hurt written all over her face, but she meant every word she spoke to him. "I couldn't let him hurt you, escaping was my idea. What matters is that you're okay and we're both alive. We can plan another escape, as long as we're still breathing, we can keep on trying."<br/><br/>Theo didn't strike her as the bold type who went where adventure took him, so she appreciated everything he'd done so far. Even though her heart and confidence were broken, she forced a smile for the bus boy before she rose to her feet once more. "We can talk more when we have a chance."<br/><br/>Leaving Theo, Lyra returned to the Geslack estate with her head hung low. Now that she was alone, she felt vulnerable, even though there was no chance Theo could have actually protected her from anything had Engel decided it was time to get rid of them. She entered the manor once more to find the Geslack siblings lounging around their lavish living room as if it was a normal day, and perhaps cruelty was the norm in their household of snakes.<br/><br/>"Brother dearest," Merci called out as she looked up from her game of checkers. "It looks like your pet is back, she looks a little worse for wear though." There was no mistaking the disdain in the younger girl's eyes, but she hid it well behind her smile. "Loell, are you sure you know how to play this? I do believe I'm, as the peasants say 'whooping your behind' rather badly." She moved her piece and waited for Loell's turn. "Loell and I heard about your predicament from here," Merci commented casually. "It was a little loud. So your pet's taken a liking to the busboy, brother? She sounds like such a troublesome, dirty girl."