Ariel took in a short breath through her mouth and quickly nodded. "Yes, I did say that I would at least show Kaleeth-rei around the city." She raised her head and wiped her eyes with two fingers on one hand, one after the other. "I think some air will help." She sniffed. "I just need a moment to be...presentable. I do not want to worry anyone else."

Just beneath Ariel's line of sight, Sabine stood up and wrapped her arms around Ariel's torso. Ariel was surprised for a moment, then released her breath, brought her arms around Sabine, and began silently shedding tears again.

[hr]
The remainder of the day had Ariel happily giving the pack a newly informed tour of Thorn, or at least the places Ariel frequented. As was to be expected from someone who had lived in a city and been in contact with its natives, she showed the pack all sorts of places that would never have been apparent to fresh tourists. Places to eat, places to shop, places to carouse, and many more things to know. They were even introduced to new merchants that gave better prices for the kinds of things that the pack would sell for coin; hides, alchemical ingredients, and the like. A particularly resonant moment was when Kaleeth was even given a look at one of the few overlapping features between the city and her old life -- a religious ceremony at the central hist tree.

Even with all Ariel was able to fit in, the day ended quickly. The pack settled in for the night with Sabine looking to Meesei for comfort. She was understandably worried for Sabine, though it was not difficult to give some effective assurances. Ariel did not have such assurances when she ventured home.

Somehow, through a night of sleep-depriving worry, Ariel woke up as early as her daily schedule dictated to her. Anxiety gave way to grogginess and a desire for breakfast more than anything. She had motivated herself in her mind to leave seeing Rukeewei for after her morning routine. It made her eat slowly.