At the very least, I can do something about it this time.

[Too many times, she has found herself on the wrong end of misfortune, be it in years past or even in recent memory. As used to it as she is... she hates, loathes repeats.

Mei leads the way through the streets, lent their eerie red glow by the unusual construct that stands in the distance; as she does, she opens her comms again, this time to make a proper call. Though getting anything outside St. Fountain would be an issue as things are, it should be possible to get to anyone within the barrier--

Ah.]

This is Bronya.

[...what a relief. It gets her to slow a bit, though not so much that she hamstrings the brisk pace.]

Sorry for calling out of the blue. I found a friend near where the Honkai anomaly was picked up.

A friend...? St. Fountain was supposed to be...

I'll explain later. Right now, we're on the way to the safehouse; can you meet us halfway?

I shouldn't be far off from your location. Just be careful until then.

Mm. See you soon.

[Mei hangs up not long after, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she held in.]

That was more than I really expected...