Julia didn’t answer and Nova was about to turn back when the low timber of Dragon’s voice came through her implant. Now [i]that[/i], was something she heard. Thanks, cochlear. It happened in his office, too. Something about his tone of voice reached her so clearly, that she longed to hear it more. It shuddered down her spine as she stilled to read. His calling her Star put a distance between them, on purpose? She only half heard the rest, but the words in her vision were clear; she was being chastised. God, she wished now more than ever that she could see his face, just to read him. Was he angry because of worry for her, angry because of disobedience, annoyed, or uncaring and stoic? She bit her lip as she was chastised like a child, and after everything she just went through, fire bubbled in her belly. 

The darker-haired man walked up to her, and she knew what for. Going down on one knee, Nova unclasped her bag and put it in front of her, opening it up to procure the man’s laptop. She wondered what they used it for, but it must be important. Both of them were somewhat glued to it. When the man walked off, Nova looked at the ground while the last of Dragon’s words faded from her vision. Ghost will keep her safe? Her gaze flickered upwards, to where Ghost was further down, having found towels with a big TRUMPET logo on them. Nova didn’t doubt it. Something about the woman made Nova feel like she could trust her with her life. 

She averted her eyes to the water, huffed out a breath and spoke. [color=peachpuff]”What about ‘are you hurt, Star’, or, ‘what happened, Star’.[/color] She said, a small crinkle forming between her brows as she put extra enunciation behind her still foreign codename. She knew she cut off coms after she got slammed by the door, disorientated by the water and Julia’s insistent calling of her name, filling her visions. She was sure Julia had been worried, but it seemed Dragon didn't care much. However, he wouldn’t throw Julia under the bus like that. Didn’t want the woman in trouble. So Nova would take the heat. Though, by now Nova was sure the ‘discussion’ he mentioned would either be firing or strong reprimanding. A bit more restrained, she continued. [color=peachpuff]”I’m fine, thank you for asking. Just bruised.”[/color] Slightly annoyed, started to shimmy out of the diving suit, feeling bruises on her arms, her shoulder damn sore but still perfectly attached. Despite his anger, she just wanted to walk up to the man and have him hold her, to remedy the aches in her body. His hand had been so warm. Would his body be, too? The young woman was sure it would be healing. 

[color=peachpuff]”Next time I get hurt, I’ll be sure to moan into the comms so you get every detail… Sir.”[/color] She added, slight sarcasm in her tone. She swallowed, rolling up the suit and shoving it back into the round bag it was in. She attached it to her pack. Now, she was in tight, dark green cargo pants, a black fitting t-shirt and a black zipper hoodie with a small Voidlights logo on the chest. What was happening to her down here that she so blatantly was disrespecting the man she so admired, and even crushed on? 

She took a deep, clarifying breath. This was her own fault. The last hour or so just wasn’t what she expected. From having to dive to being thrust into action. Her eyes fluttered closed as her temper cooled. She didn’t want to burn a bridge that was barely there, anyway. Hell, maybe it was a figment of her imagination. The way his lips felt on her hand. [color=peachpuff]”I’m sorry… Dragon. It won’t happen again. I told you that you can count on me and I still intend to do just that. I’ll keep you updated.”[/color] Nova turned and saw Ghost looking at her, a knowing look on her face. She muted herself and let out a short laugh. [color=peachpuff]"Such a joy to work with..."[/color] She grinned, happy to find a fellow in Ghost. Unmuting, she went forward and dried off her hair with a towel that was handed by her. 

With a side-eye, she listened in on the boy's conversation, utterly confused on who they were but not decided to question it, for now. However, the darker-haired man's voice was chilly as he stated he didn't follow the Louvre blindly. Wasn't the Louvre a good organisation? She raised her brow, deciding to not entirely trust these two. Much like the rest, she put on the hazmat suit over her clothes and took a breath. What the actual fuck was she getting herself into? She winked down at the girl, who had a suit on that was a little bit too big for her. Gosh, Nova still couldn't believe a girl this young was down here. With a nod to Ghost and the rest, the door opened. [color=peachpuff]"Well, guess the only way forward is... forward. Keep your eyes open."[/color] Nova stated, though she probably didn't have to tell these people that. 

The advice was rendered useless as they were immediately thrust into a tight cavern, filled with some type of smoke too thick to see through. Her hand slid over the side of the wall, Ghost in front, and Nova right behind the girl, keeping a hand on her shoulder to be able to watch over her. The lack of hearing mixed with a lack of sight was an unwelcome sensation for Nova, and a shudder went down her spine, constricting her breathing in a way that was uncomfortable. It seemed like forever, too, until the girl in front of her suddenly stopped. It cleared up as they arrived in a large space, and everything felt multiple shades of [i]off[/i]. The woman's honey eyes followed the somewhat hilariously pointed hazmat finger of the girl toward the middle. [color=peachpuff]"I- I don't know."[/color]