Ariel didn't pretend that it would be easy. She witnessed the very same thoughts coming from Rukeewei as she was having when she was told. She had it in her mind that a believable story would be a special commission for an alchemical medicine that would require them to travel. However, those sorts of details could come later.

The current detail was Rukeewei's acceptance. Ariel was pained at the struggle he had deciding, but felt her stress begin to melt away in his arms. She returned his hug and breathed out into his shoulder with her nose. "I don't want to go without you," she said in return.

They remained embracing for a few moments longer before Ariel slowly pulled halfway out of the hug. "There are a lot of other things, many particulars to work out. I'm unsure how I could feel any guiltier about throwing this upon you like this." Ariel looked down again. "Is there anything else you want to know?"