I walked into the common area, where everyone else was already relaxing and getting warm again.
Lyia was still in the kitchen, preparing the finishing touches of the day's meal. Nil was sitting on the couch, staring off into space. And my parents were looking at each other without communicating.
There's nowhere I really fit into this setting, so I would simply insert myself, but… I think it would be best for me to just help Lyia finish.
The food was steaming on the counter, Lyia carefully watching as the temperature dropped to the needed number.
"Do you need help?" I asked carefully.
"Sure, there's not much left, but you can get the rice done."
"Alright, I'll get it done before you can say…" I jumped to the rice and set it up before she even processed what I had said. "...Done."