The Capital (2)

Morning arrived with the warmth of golden sunlight filtering through the small window.

The air smelled fresh, carrying a crispness that made the fatigue in Leo's body slightly more bearable.

He sat up slowly, stretching the stiffness out of his limbs before glancing at Fiona. Her ears twitched as she opened one eye, groaning softly.

"Yeah," he muttered. "I feel the same way."

Pushing himself off the bed, Leo ran a hand through his messy hair before splashing cold water on his face from the basin.

The chill jolted him awake, washing away the remnants of exhaustion clinging to his mind.

It felt strange. If it was before, back on Earth, he would had gone to the bathroom to freshen up. But he no longer such luxury now.

A knock at the door followed, breaking Leo out of his thought, and Ves's voice came through.

"Leo, you up?"

"Yeah," he called back, walking over and pulling the door open.