Stepping out into the surface once again, the group had discovered what was once bright rays of morning was now the dead of night. Just far into the evening, they did not know, but it was dark enough to justify they had long since missed sunset. In pairs they ascended the steep cliff of the sink hole, leaping between sheer clefts in the natural wall as trained, made their way though the city's tiers of ruin, nearing the home of the young woman who restlessly quivered in her father's arms.
<< Brothers, head on home. I'll take Etoile back. >> Lothaire said as they reached the crossroads where their base of operation lay and just beyond, the sunset hall. They would have protested, but it had been long enough of a day, and not one among them had the breath to spare in an argument between stubborn folk. Each man took their turn to approach the silent little wayfarer and bid her good night before heading down the path. Eidola took a moment longer to whisper something into her ear; something that made her twitch, then calm for but the instance of a moment.
"It is but a temporary inconvenience- [Rest well, little star.]"
The remaining climb was one of deep thought for Lothaire. What could he tell Vinh when he presents to him Etoile in the way she was? The nearer he proceeded to her front door, the harder it was to think. It would seem to be better to just answer him as he asked, even if he didn't know how to answer everything. She'd tell him in time, right?
<< V- >> He took this time to clear his throat as he stood just outside of the entryway, then took a step in, shouldering aside the curtain that kept the light from leaking into the vestibule, << Vinh, we're home. >>
