Tossed Stones

The faint hum of the cell was unusually quiet, as if even the Creche knew the world outside held its breath. Mina stood smugly in front of the cocoon, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“You don’t know how to play?” she asked, holding up a small set of carved stones she’d brought in her satchel.

Anaxi raised an eyebrow. “No one ever bothered to teach me.”

“Well, then,” Mina said, her tone mockingly grandiose, “prepare to be schooled in the ancient and mysterious art of toss-stones.”

“Sounds ominous,” Anaxi deadpanned, shifting to sit so they could see out of the small window Solace had opened for them to interact.

Mina laid the stones out carefully, her hands moving with practiced ease. “You toss this one in the air,” she explained, picking up a small, smooth stone, “and while it’s up, you have to grab one from the ground before catching it.” She demonstrated flawlessly, catching the tossed stone without even looking.

“Simple,” Anaxi said.

“Simple?” Mina’s grin widened. “Let’s see you try, oh fearless strategist.” She passed the stones through the opening.

Anaxi’s first attempt was, as Mina gleefully pointed out, a disaster. The tossed stone rolled off their fingers, clattering onto the platform while the others scattered across the floor.

“Flawless execution,” Mina teased, laughing.

“Clearly, I’m meant for bigger things,” Anaxi replied dryly, though a faint smile crept onto their face.

They tried again—and again—and by the fourth attempt, managed to catch the stone while scooping up another. Mina clapped exaggeratedly. “There’s hope for you yet!”

For a while, the cell felt less like a cage and more like an oasis, their laughter bouncing off the shimmering lattice.

Mina leaned back, twirling one of the stones between her fingers. “You’re not half-bad at this, you know. Maybe when you’re free, we can have a rematch. Somewhere with a view.”

Anaxi’s smile softened. “I’ll hold you to that.”

The moment lingered, quiet and warm. Outside, the storm of Victor’s ambitions brewed, but here, within the lattice, there was space to breathe.