When the day was over, Virka invited Avi and Luna to one of the hotel rooms, with a round king-sized bed and aromatic candles inside, which created a dusk-like ambience.

“You can get some sleep here.” - Virka said, bidding them farewell.

Avi sat down on the edge of the covers. - “We are spending the night together again.”

“If you're uncomfortable with my presence, I can stay on alert and watch over you from afar.” - Luna replied.

Avi lay down, sighing and placing her left hand on her forehead. - “It's not like that, Luna. I... still live our shared moments.”

Luna sat on the other edge of the bed, with her back to Avi. - “...but?”

“I see that you can guess.”

Luna averted her gaze.

“Luna, do you sometimes feel that our friendship is falling apart?” - Avi asked. - “That it's different than when we've just met.”

“No.” - Luna uttered. - “There are good moments and moments when we argue, but it's all part of learning each other.”

“Eh, is that how you see it? Luna... I feel overwhelmed by our interactions.” - Avi explained. - “I feel like I can't catch a breath and sort out my thoughts.”

“Does my presence cause you pain?” - Luna clearly seemed sad.

“No, Luna. No. That's not the issue, I just feel... like we are forced to be stuck with each other. It's hard to describe. When it's just the two of us, our spaceship is feeling too cramped. Don't you feel like this, too, Luna?”

“I...” - Luna fell silent. She wanted to reveal what she truly felt, but the words seemed stuck in her lungs. - “...maybe you're right, Avi.” - She lay down next to her, but their hands didn't even touch.

Avi turned to confront Luna face to face. - “Luna, you can tell me about everything. I want to know what you really feel. Are you also not fine with our situation?”

Luna didn't want to look into Avi's eyes. - “I feel hurt, I feel as if you wanted to discard an essential part of me. It's like you're trying to put a barrier between us, that I'll never be able to tear down.”

“Luna... I didn't know. I'm sorry.” - Avi muttered and wanted to take Luna's hand, but Luna pulled it away. - “Luna?”

“I need neither a break nor more space. I only want you to accept me, not just the image of me that you're seeing.”

“I...” - Avi backed a little, hesitating. - “...Luna, I don't know if I understand your feelings. What do you mean by image of you?”

“An illusion, that has nothing to do with reality.”

“Luna... I can't see inside your heart or mind.” - Avi replied, troubled. - “How can I know the real you? Help me understand.”

Luna turned to Avi, almost crying. - “Can't you tell by looking at me!? Do I have to scream it out!?”

Avi stammered. - “I-If you have to.”

Luna bit her lower lip, tears were trickling down her cheeks already. - “Avi... I hate you.”

Avi felt a sharp sting in her heart. She immediately turned away, and Luna did the same. There was fear in Avi, her heart beat loudly and fast, drowning out Luna's sobbing. A long and uncomfortable night came, and none of the girls could easily change that.

---

When the morning arrived, Luna was the first person to leave the room. She didn't wait for Avi, who still pretended to sleep.

When Avi finally walked out of the room, Virka was standing next to the doorway, leaning against the wall and smoking her pipe.

“How did it go?” - Their hostess asked.

“I've ruined everything.” - Avi uttered with her shoulders low. - “She hates me.” - Avi added, hiding her face in her hands and crying.

Virka approached Avi, pressing her against her chest and gently caressing her head. - “Shhh... shh... It's okay, she didn't mean it.”

“She said that to my face. 'I hate you.' These were her exact words... Virka, I'm so afraid to lose her.”

“Calm down... calm down... We'll figure it out.” - Virka said, gazing at Avi's wet face, which seemed to beg her for help. - “Oh, dear! You didn't sleep at all! I'll make you something light to eat, and afterward, take a rest. I'll handle the situation.”

Avi just nodded, then they both walked to the restaurant.

---

Virka tried to check the cameras to find Luna, but she was nowhere around. She decided to look outside and equipped her space body suit, then entered the gardens. There she found Luna, sitting curled up under the spaceship.

“Luna... why did you say something so hurtful to Avi? You should know how much you mean to her...” - Virka spoke.

“Phi.” - Luna forced out. - “I mean nothing to her. You were right, I should accept this.”

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“That's... a very stretched interpretation of what I said yesterday.” - Virka replied.

Luna took a long pause. - “Avi... is she okay?”

“She is asleep.”

“Virka... I have a request... can you stay next to her? She experiences nightmares, and I don't want... I don't deserve to be next to her after what had happened.”

Virka was worried. - “Don't be overdramatic, she'll certainly be happy to see you when she wakes up.”

“No, Virka. No. She told me yesterday that she needs space. I respect her wishes. She deserves it after everything she has been through.”

“...and what about you?”

“I... I'll get through this, I always do.” - Luna averted her eyes, sad.

Virka sighed, then firmly grabbed Luna's hand and pulled her. - “We're going there, right now. Time to fix it.”

“Virka, no!” - Although Luna protested, she allowed Virka to drag her all the way to the palace.

When she finally saw Avi, drenched in sweat and struggling to breathe, her heart trembled. She sat next to the girl, gently taking her hand, and Avi, feeling Luna's warmth, calmed down.

Virka walked out, closing the door and leaving the girls in private once more.

---

Luna's face was the first thing that Avi could notice after waking up. It didn't have its gentle smile or calm warmth, there was only concern mixed with gloom.

Avi sat down next to her, still not letting Luna's hand go.

“Luna... I...” - Avi muttered.

“There is no need to say anything. I understand.” - Luna said quietly. - “I should apologize for yesterday, I overreacted.”

Avi's lips trembled lightly, and she broke into tears, throwing herself at Luna and hugging her tightly. - “No, I'm sorry. I wasn't even aware of how much I'm hurting you.”

“It's in the past, Avi.” - Luna uttered. - “You and Virka were right.”

Avi drew her face back a little, asking with an uncertain, anxious look.

“Taking a pause will be good for us.” - Luna added.

“I... I don't think that anymore.” - Avi replied, taking Luna's hand in both hands. Her eyes were full of conviction.

Luna sighed. - “Avi, it'll be better this way. Why are you making it more difficult by changing your mind so suddenly?”

“You made me realize how much I care about you. I don't want any barriers between us anymore.” - Avi answered.

Luna flinched. - “Avi... It's too much for my nerves.”

“You don't... want this?”

“What we both want doesn't have to be good for us.” - Luna stated.

Avo averted her gaze. - “I understand. Even if it's not what I desire now, I'll trust you... because you're my friend.”

“It's settled, then.” - Luna sighed.

“...but ...do you have any plan for how this is supposed to happen, Luna?” - Avi asked.

“I always have a plan. I'll find new hobbies, maybe take better care of the garden. I'll spend the time exploring who I am.” - Luna said. - “I've gotten used to isolation.”

“I don't.” - Avi replied with sadness.

“Eh, Virka! I know you're there, eavesdropping!” - Luna suddenly shouted. - “Enter, right now!”

Virka opened the door, nervously twisting her tails. - “Sorry... I didn't plan to... but you know, I was slightly worried... and...”

“Sure, sure.” - Luna said sarcastically. - “Do you want to travel with us?” - She asked bluntly.

“Why the idea...?” - Virka muttered.

“Do you want to spend the next one hundred and twenty years in this hole, or more?” - Luna answered.

“Khazan... is my home, my legacy.” - Virka replied, then added, a bit afraid. - “I can't... I can't fly out there.”

Luna stared at her, analyzing even the most subtle of her body movements.

“Do you want to watch the universe die, alone? Or would you rather prefer to do something about it?” - Luna added, standing up and offering her hand. - “I've come to know you and I believe in you, they need you there, Virka.”

Virka's expression was full of pain. - “You have no idea what you are saying. Nothing good is waiting for me there.”

Luna lowered her hand. - “I don't know why you are having doubts, but our spaceship leaves soon.”

“Go, without me.” - Virka averted her eyes.

Avi observed it, barely understanding. Luna was ready to leave, and before doing so, only added. - “I'll respect your choice. On behalf of us both, I thank you for your hospitality. Maybe we'll meet again someday.”

“You are going back to the spaceship, Luna?” - Avi asked, wiping her eyes and cheeks dry.

“Yes. I think our journey continues.” - Luna replied, then added - “Goodbye, Virka.” - and left without any extra words.

“Goodbye.” - Virka quietly murmured.

Avi stood up too and hugged Virka, which surprised her. - “Thank you for everything.”

“You're welcome, my darling.” - Virka whispered, hesitantly reciprocating the embrace.

“Virka, I'll surely come back, but until then... do you want to remember me as a friend?”

“A friend?”

“Yes. I want us to be friend.” - Avi said with a gentle smile. - “Will you accept my little request?”

“I never...” - Virka paused, staring at Avi's big, pleading eyes. She felt scared.

“Don't make me beg you.” - Avi made a puppy face.

Virka's heart skipped a beat. She knew what her answer should be, she remembered her lessons to perfection. In Khazan, there was no room for friendship.

Virka suppressed the feeling and put on a kind expression. - “Yes, Avi. Let's be friends.”

Avi, overjoyed, threw herself around Virka's neck. - “I won't forget you, it's a promise.”

“Goodbye.” - Virka said, letting her go. After Avi waved farewell, with her last glance, Virka could notice how bright Avi's smile was in the violet sunrays – her eyes were sparkling like a thousand stars. Virka instinctively extended her arm, wanting to say more, but couldn't find the words.

---

Luna waited next to the spaceship, and Avi approached her, beyond happy.

“Did you say goodbye?” - Luna asked.

“Yes, and I officially have a new friend.” - Avi responded.

“Hmm.” - Luna, lost in thought, was staring into the distance. - “That's good. Are we starting?”

“Yes!”

Back inside, Avi focused on activating all the necessary controls. The spaceship slowly rose several meters, and then Luna noticed Virka running like crazy.

“Eee... Avi... I think Virka is there.” - Luna said.

“Did she come to wave goodbye!?” - Avi exclaimed with a smile and walked to the window, waving with her hand, while the ship ascended.

Virka was frantically flailing her hands, barely able to keep running.

“How nice of her!” - Avi added as they gained even more altitude, and soon, she lost sight of Virka.

It only took a moment, though, because when the ship was about to start, there was a loud thud and Avi screamed in terror. Virka's jetpack collided into the windshield, to which the woman glued herself, yelling something with all her strength.

“LUNA! What's going on!?” - Avi panicked.

“Stop the ship right now!” - Luna shouted, running up to the panel, but it still didn't accept her commands.

“How!? How!!? How!!!?” - Avi yelled.

“For heaven's sake... There is no time!” - Luna pulled Avi, leading her to the hallway. - “Create an exit right here and wait for me! I'll grab her!”

Avi touched the wall, letting Luna create a protective forcefield around her, then jumped out of the ship. She was quickly back, holding panting Virka.

“Have you completely lost it!?” - Luna yelled.

Virka took off her helmet to make it easier to breathe. - “I'm going with you.”

“Uhm... just like this?” - Avi uttered.

“OF COURSE NOT!” - Virka shouted. - “Land and let me pack my things!”

Luna rolled her eyes. - “What have I gotten myself into?”