"Okay," Janius whispered back to Meesei, before quietly closing the door again and heading back to bed. He intended to mention what was going on to Kaleeth if she hadn't fallen back to sleep yet.

The pause in the conversation lasted for long enough for Fendros to look at Meesei impatiently. He had no idea how he was supposed to come to an understanding with Monderyn if he didn't even know what [i]he[/i] wanted. It was no use giving up, though. Meesei was not going to budge until they worked something out.

"Monderyn," Fendros started sternly, looking to his brother's feet, "I don't know what you think that I feel, but I think you need to know..." Fendros took in half a breath, released it, then took in another to speak. He needed to stave off his pride to speak in such a way after arguing, "...even if you hate me for leaving, I never forgot about you or anyone in the family." Monderyn still faced away, apparently not reacting. Fendros continued despite his stance, "It never fails to make me sad that I never got to say goodbye properly. If that would help you as well, perhaps we could try that."

Another long silence passed before Monderyn responded. For whatever emotions that ran through his head, he was keeping it all bottled up behind a stone face. "You have changed a lot, Fendros," he said, surprisingly matter-of-factly, "You're not going to change back, I can see that." Monderyn held his mouth open as his nose blocked up. It was the only trace of sadness that he displayed. "Maybe...maybe I can come to accept that, now that I've seen it with my own eyes." Monderyn turned to face Fendros, but didn't look him in the eye, "I don't think I can forgive you, Fendros, not yet. But...goodbye might help."

"What are you going to say to mother and father?"

"Nothing." Monderyn answered immediately, "I won't make them suffer any longer."

There was one last loose end that Fendros needed to tie. "Llarasa is still afraid of you. What are you going to do about that?"

Monderyn was less certain with his next answer. "I promise that I won't take out my anger near her. I don't ever want to hurt her, that's the truth. My rage was with you and it wasn't fair on her. I'll try to make it up to her, and I'll control myself."

Satisfied that he had made as much progress as he could, Fendros stood up, glancing up at Monderyn's face, but not catching his eye. He extended a hand for Monderyn to hold. Monderyn looked at the hand, considering for a while, but didn't take it. He looked at Fendros directly and spoke flatly, "Goodbye, Fendros."

Disappointed, Fendros slowly retracted his hand and watched as Monderyn walked to the door. Monderyn looked past Meesei as he addressed her. "May I leave, now?" He asked in a seething tone.