Ludi Harpastum
The next day, Markus exits his room at the cathedral with a yawn, adjusting his aching back.

"Finally up, sleepyhead?"

Markus: "Good morning to you too, Barb..."

He says groggily, while his sister is in the middle of cleaning some pews.

Barbara: "It's already noon, actually."

Markus: "Ugh, seriously...?"

Barbara: "Did you sleep well?"

Markus: "Does it look like I slept well?! My back is killing me..."

Barbara: "I told you sitting against the wall was a bad idea. But no, you wanted to look cool for no reason..."

Markus: "Shut up. I would've obviously preferred my bed, but Collei needed to sleep somewhere..." He grumbles, while trying to bend his arms behind himself and use his Anemo abilities to 'fix' his back.

Barbara: "Do you... want me to heal you instead, Bro?"

Markus: "No, I'm good, thanks..." He plops down on a pew near Barbara after he's done. "Speaking of Collei, thanks for your help last night."

Barbara: "You definitely surprised me, y'know!? You came back so late, carrying this girl I didn't recognize, shouting: 'Barb, I'll explain later! Please help me find her a place to sleep, and help give her a bath, and give her a clean pair of clothes to wear!'"

Markus: "Well, I didn't want to help her take a bath. That'd be weird..."

Barbara: "That's not what I meant! Where did she come from, and why did you come back home with her so late at night?"

Markus: "I mean, it wasn't a big deal, was it? You were already awake."

Barbara: "Sir Kaeya had just brought Dad home from the party. He was really drunk, so I had to help carry him to bed."

Markus: "Jeez, Dad came home before me? Wow, I guess I really was out pretty late..."

Barbara: "Is she... alright?" Her voice softens into concern.

Markus: "..."

Barbara: "She was covered in bandages. And she insisted on putting them back on after I helped her bathe, even though it didn't look like she was injured in any way..."

Markus: "Lisa told me not to tell anyone about Collei's illness..." He thinks to himself, biting his lip nervously. "There's no way I'm going to drag Barb of all people into this..."

Barbara: "Tell me, Markus!"

Markus: "U-uh, um..." He glances around nervously. "G-gee, it seems like Collei's still sleeping, huh? The poor girl must've been so tired!"

He notices the door to their room open slightly, some green strands of hair poking out.

Markus: "..."

Barbara: "Is that...?"

Markus: "Come out, Collei."

The strands of hair quickly disappear behind the door.

Markus: "Collei, I know it's you. I don't know anyone else with hair that color."

Collei slowly pokes her head out, an uncomfortable-looking grimace on her face.

Barbara: "Are you alright? Did you not sleep well?" She asks Collei.

Markus: "No, that's how she always looks..."

Barbara: "... Bro, what did you do?"

Markus: "Why do automatically think I did something?"

Barbara: "Well... did you? You didn't tease her or make fun of her, or anything like that?"

Markus: "M-murgh...!" He grunts guiltily.

Collei: "W-why did you bring me to a place like this?!" She stammers, shaking. "T-this is a church, right?"

Markus gets up and walks over to Collei, arms crossed.

Markus: "Yeah, it is. I live here."

Collei: "You live here?! You don't expect me to stay here too, do you?"

Markus: "Only if you want. It's not like I kidnapped you or something..."

Collei: "I've been forsaken by everyone, even the gods themselves... To bring me to a place like this... Is this some kind of sick joke?!"

Collei clutches her arm, ruffling the bandages covering them. Markus winces, shaking his head.

Markus: "You won't be 'forsaken' here. Mond will welcome you... if you want."

Collei: "Do you really expect me to believe those words!?"

Markus: "You said you came here looking for something, right? Was it not a place that would accept you, to call home?"

Collei goes silent, eyes widening. Markus attempts to place a hand on her shoulder, but she takes a small step back.

Collei: "Y-you'll be... cursed. You'd... b-best stay away from me..." She utters, a lot more softly, her head drooping down.

Markus frowns, sighing.

Collei: "I-I know better... I won't find a savior in a place like this..."

Markus: "Savior... If there's one person that could be one, it's..."

"Mornin', everyone!"

The tension is interrupted by a cheerful certain someone approaching Markus from behind, who places a gentle hand on Collei's head.

Collei: "A-ah?!"

Markus: "Morning, Amber. Although it's already noon now..."

Amber: "So you really were brought here, Collei. Did you borrow those clothes from Barbara? They look so cute on you~!"

Collei suddenly jumps back, slamming the door shut.

Collei: "Y-you all are too careless! You'll be...!"

Amber: "It's alright, Miss Lisa already told us what you have wasn't contagious! You don't have to worry about us getting sick!"

Collei: "Lies! That person doesn't know what she's talking about!"

Barbara: "Collei is sick?"

Markus flinches in shock after noticing Barbara is now standing right behind him, overhearing everything.

Amber: "Oh, yeah, she..."

Markus: "Ssh!" He quickly shushes Amber before she finishes.

Amber: "Hm?" She blinks, obliviously tilting her head in confusion.

Barbara: "Bro, you're not hiding something from me, are you?!"

Markus: "I-I don't know what you're talking about..."

Barbara: "I want to help her in any way I can! Didn't you ask me to be her friend?"

Markus: "H-huh? What do you mean?"

Barbara: "Before falling asleep, you practically begged me for help. Saying she could really use a friend." She becomes a bit teary-eyed. "You... haven't begged me for anything like that before. At least not for a long time..."

Markus: He looks away from her, a pained expression on his face. "You must've been imagining things, Barb..."

Barbara: "Markus!"

Amber: "Wait, that's a good idea!" She chimes in cheerfully. "Barbara, you and Collei are the same age, so I'm sure you'll make a great friend for her!"

Barbara: "Wait, she's 13?! But she's so... u-uh..."

Amber: "Small?" She giggles. "You won't be mean and call her a 'shorty' like Markus did, I hope."

Markus: "I-I'm... sorry about that..." He utters, feeling genuinely remorseful.

Amber: "Come to think of it, maybe her size is related to her illn-..."

Markus: "U-uh...! H-hey Amber, where'd you get that mark on your face from?!" He suddenly exclaims, dramatically pointing at her face.

Amber: "What?" She places a hand to her cheek. "Oh, it must be because I was sleeping on the library table for so long!"

She places her hands on her hips, pouting at Markus.

Amber: "Speaking of which, I can't believe you just left me there last night! Why didn't you wake me up, and have me help you carry Collei to the cathedral?"

Markus: "You were snoozing so... comfortably, so Lisa suggested we not disturb you..."

Amber: "Likely story!"

Markus: "I'm not lying!"

Amber: "Hmph! I missed breakfast because I slept so long! And I'm super hungry!"

Markus: "Well, you can have lunch with us instead if you want. I guess..."

Amber: "Great!" She cheerfully knocks on the door that Collei's still hiding behind. "Collei! Come out and have lunch with us!"

Collei: "No way! I don't need your food!"

Amber: "Why not? You not hungry?"

Collei: "No! I..."

A sudden, very loud growling sound erupts from Markus's and Barbara's room.

Barbara: "I'll head to the kitchen and get started on food right away." She suggests, while stifling a chuckle.

Markus: "Heck no, I'm not letting you cook. I'll do it."

Barbara: "Isn't your back hurting?"

Markus: "I healed it already..."

Barbara: She sighs. "I promise I won't make it spicy this time, Bro. Not when we have guests."

Markus: "So you think it's fine to make it super spicy when it's just me?!"