"Yeah. I swear, she won't get hurt." Rita replied solemnly. "If anyone even thinks about hurting her, I'll give them a piece of my mind." Her cheeks were tinted the slightest red, embarrassed at being nice. "A-anyway. I'll...come around for Estellise sometime, and whenever I come to get her, I'll bring her back by nighttime. Is that all right?" Finally, she could study the seventh fonon! And Estellise could experience freedom...

No.
Stop.
That.
Thought.
Estellise was not her friend! Just...an assistant!