They moved through the lobby in tense silence until Sophia’s face twisted with something between realization and revulsion, her shoulders drawing back as she whispered to herself: “She can’t be replaced.”

The words settled between them with the particular weight of things you understand too late. Her mind refused to process it, filing it away as simple confusion.

“Juni… you said it yourself. We need them more than ever now.” Sophia’s voice carried a strange note of realization. “I think that’s the point.”

“What are you even talking about?” But Juniper’s usual sharp tone had dulled, uncertainty creeping in at the edges.

“I don’t know.” Sophia shaking her head slowly. “I think this is what we were taught when we were little – that there’s time… that we need to know how to slow down.”