"I'm not crying," Tear insisted, averting her gaze momentarily. It was painfully obvious that she had been doing that very thing, however. She knew it, too, and the way her face flushed proved that she was perfectly aware of the fact.

"A-and even if I was, it would be no cause for concern."

She fell silent again, chancing a glance or two around them. They didn't particularly seem to have an audience - that was a relief.

"I spoke with Anise while I was waiting here for you. She's supposed to be checking her location, though I'm not sure where that is yet. It might be a good idea if we all met up; Anise doesn't seem to have been in Paixao any longer than I have, and we still don't know much about this place."

Another pause. Tear shifted her weight from one foot to the other, contemplating.

Then quietly, "I... I missed you." There. She had said it.