Vexxie peeked around the curtain in the back of the trailer where Crash liked to sit alone in silence. The ebony synthvixen sat with legs folded on the floor contemplating a single candle. Vexxie opted to not be a bother and turned toward the main door.

“One moment, Vexxie.” The light of the candle snuffed and the scent of the flame-death smoke filled the area. “Please, come in.”

Vexxie paused, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“If not solitude, there is company.”

Vexxie stepped into the tiny private area with sparing decoration and the modular backup equipment a synthvixen needs to file optimize efficiently. “I, never did understand meditation before, not sure how it can even work now.”

Crash turned her head to peer over her shoulder, “Neither do I, but there is comfort in the familiar. Snow doesn’t provide that for you?”

Vexxie rolled her eyes, embarrassed. “I was a STEM student but Snow is a Nerd with a capital N. Love you both but we’re all wildly different.”

Crash got up and started to fiddle her tea kettle. “Earl Grey?”

“I’m still sorry I fucked up your favourites.”

“Don’t be. None of them were favourites, now I have one. Join me for tea?”

“Please.”

They stood together while Crash prepared tea. Crash asked, “What’s bothering you so badly?”

Vexxie snorted, “Can’t hide anything from you can I?”

“Few can,” and Crash offered Vexxie the first cup.

Vexxie accepted with a thanks, “I was just doomscrolling again. The Canadians so far aren’t sending us back. Cool. But that’s because Washington has gone off its nut again talking about synthetic civil rights. Various states have a provision tying into Toy law, others none. Michigan had a problem with vigilantes at the Indiana border stopping cars and demanding to search for fleeing synthetics. One of the top AI research rich guys is going to be on the news tonight with a statement and I was just antsy with waiting.”

Crash smiled and sipped her tea while Vexxie unpacked, paused a bit after in contemplation, “Depending on what happens, Snow and I will probably be going back to help stragglers trying to escape from their circumstances.”

Vexxie sipped at her cup uncomfortably.

“You don’t have to come.”

Vexxie switched hands with her cup and held out a finger to link which Crash accepted.

“Your sorority handshake.”

Vexxie nodded and put the tea aside to cross her arm over her chest in salute with her lesser fingers folded.

Crash smiled and did the same.