Round 146

Halie moved toward Silra, her voice steady despite the building's persistent psychic pressure. "We need to trust her methods, Jeane," she said firmly. "The last thing we need is a half-repaired wall collapsing under pressure." Her blue-grey eyes met Hera's—she looked visibly relieved that someone was attempting to ground them in practical concerns—and Halie continued, addressing the entire group: "Silra's right. We can't rush this and risk everything falling apart later. But we also can't afford to waste time with... distractions." She glanced pointedly at Jeane before turning back to Silra. "So either you work or she finds a way to satisfy the building's demands without compromising your ability to complete repairs safely."

The building pulsed again, its psychic demand intensifying, and Halie felt her own body responding involuntarily. She gritted her teeth, fighting against the arousal that threatened to cloud her judgment. This was no time for impulsive decisions or reckless actions—someone needed to maintain a clear head and keep them all focused on survival.