On the plane.
Soft daylight filtered through the business-class window. Ailan leaned against Li Dan's shoulder, her long hair draping over it and covering half her face, leaving only her cool eyes exposed as she curiously examined everything in the cabin.
Her gaze passed over the reading lights above, the coffee cup beside a neighboring passenger, and the backs of the seats ahead.
Yet there was no warmth in her eyes, as though she were merely scanning a pile of unfamiliar objects. Only when her gaze fell upon Li Dan's face did an imperceptible softness surface.
"This is... an airplane?"
She spoke softly and lightly touched the stitching on Li Dan's sleeve.
There had never been such an enclosed yet moving space in the Mirror Domain. There was no solid ground beneath her feet, only the low hum of the engines in her ears.
Clouds streaked past outside the window. The sensation of being detached from the ground made her tense slightly, and she instinctively pressed closer to Li Dan, gently looping her arm around his as though clinging to her only source of security.
Feeling the slight pressure from her arm, Li Dan's heart softened. He reached over, pulled the airline blanket beside him over, and covered her legs with it.
"Yeah, flying lets us reach Rhode Island quickly."
After a pause, he added, "If you feel stuffy or want to rest, just lean on me and sleep for a while."
Ailan nodded obediently without speaking. She merely pressed her cheek closer to him, Li Dan's familiar scent filling her nose as her tense shoulders gradually relaxed.
Her gaze continued to wander around the cabin. She saw a flight attendant pushing a meal cart past, steam rising from the drinks on its tray.
She saw the passenger beside them