By habit at this point, Ariel looked to the counter as soon as she walked in the door and approached Rukeewei with a wide smile. "Hello, darling," she said, putting a hand on Rukeewei's arm and shoulder and placing a light kiss on his lips. "Yes, I couldn't leave today for work with my sister visiting." She flashed a grin for a moment, but it did not last. "There is also some important business that I want to share with you, but first..."

Ariel let Rukeewei go and turned to the rest of the pack. "Hello everyone! It's been too long." She approached with another wide grin and visited each around the table with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"It's good to see you again, Ariel," Fendros said.

"And you too. Oh! Sabine and Meesei tell me you and Ahnasha are wedded now! Congratulations!" Ariel placed a hand each on Fendros and Ahnasha's shoulders. She then took a long inward breath and her grin broadened when  Rhazii looked up to her from Ahnasha's lap. Ariel leaned in to speak with an endearing voice. "Rhazii? My stars, Meesei told me you had grown like a Cathay, but you were so tiny when we last met! Hello!"

Rhazii stared blankly up at the woman he was too young to remember.

"This is auntie Ariel, little one," Fendros explained. "She's Sabine's sister. I promise she's nicer than Monderyn. Say hello."

"Hello," Rhazii said in his still high voice.

"Hello," Ariel repeated with a giggle.

Around the table, Ariel's greetings continued. "Lorag, greetings to you as well." She placed a hand on his shoulder as well. "You look like you haven't changed a bit."

After hearing Lorag's reply if there was one, Ariel gave his shoulder a pat and moved on to the remainder. "Ah, Kaleeth and Janius, I've heard so much. And this must be little Newt. I couldn't imagine anyone more cute!"

Janius smiled just as broadly as Ariel and gave her a nod. "It's good to see you in health, Ariel. How has your shop been faring?"

"Well, very well," Ariel kept her eyes and grin on Newt. She leaned in to speak to the toddler at a high pitch. "Hello!" She gave Kaleeth-rei a glance. "You have a beautiful child, you two."

[hr]
For all the comfort Yizan-Lei had about his fate, Gallus knew a grieving child when he saw one. 

After giving the others a quick look, he carefully lowered himself to sit next to Yizan's prone body, making sure not to accidentally touch the root. If he was listening to the Hist, Gallus knew that his comfort would be one in a crowd, but he tried anyway.

Gallus reached and placed a hand lightly on Yizan-Lei's arm, looking at him with a frown. "I am sorry. I did not know your mother for long, but as someone with sons of my own, I think she would appreciate any less suffering you held."

After another quiet moment to allow Yizan-Lei to weep, Gallus spoke softly again. "Even if you do not wish to leave the Hist, I still made a promise that I would help you. If there is anything I can do for you, anything at all, let me know."