Astrid waits a little while to hear if the other woman comes back; after all, Astrid herself has experienced dropping the crystal. But the more that time goes on and there’s no answer, she makes a decision.

She scoops up the offending cat from earlier (it gives an affronted squawk of a meow), shoves her crystal into her pocket, and then goes sauntering downstairs.

After a few months living in a tent outside, the cramped environment of the over-stuffed Gallows feels so very different anew; she misses the open sky and fresh air, but having so many people around her again is a comfort. Abella-and-Teren’s room isn’t far away, so she shows up only a couple minutes later, rapping her knuckles on the door and waiting with a warm purring bundle of fur in her arms.

Emotional support cat. Abella had sounded like she might need one.