"Our daughter-in-law speaks the truth, Aeramina," Remus confirmed. "She is not learning to fight. She is learning in case she has to fight."

Aurana was not responsive. She continued to quietly cry into her hands.

Janius asked softly. "Aurana? Are you going to be alright?"

"I don't know what I want to do, Kaleeth," Aurana's muffled whine sounded through her hands. "I do not know what's out there for sure. But...I'll decide what I want to do."

Remus was apparently unaffected by her tears. "There are many people that you can meet in the Imperial City with occupations befitting this family's standing. I will introduce you to them and you can see what they do. Provided, of course, that you fulfil your part of the bargain."

Aurana's tear-streaked face emerged from behind her fingers. She was smiling. "Thank you, father. Thanks for giving me a chance."

"Thank your brother," Remus said back, still refusing to smile. He gave Janius a sideways look. "And his family,  our new family members, Kaleeth-rei and Kaj-Julan."

"If you will still come to court and behave yourself, I will..." Aeramina breathed in and out slowly to try and calm herself in her corset. "...I will accept this new...these new little adventures."

Aurana pushed herself out of her seat and, against all good manners, sprinted around the table, colliding with Julan in a strong hug. "Thanks nephew, thank you, thank you..." She just as quickly let him go and gave Kaleeth the same treatment. "My sister Kaleeth, thank you so much! I love you. I love you all!" Janius did not get away either. "Thanks for coming back, brother. I love you, thank you! Thank you!" Her happiness poured out in a mix of smiles and tears.

[hr]
Lunise did not remain standing for long once Meesei motioned to relax. She sat down with her legs curled to one side and one arm supporting herself at first. Then she looked up at the way the sun danced off the surface of the water a distance above them. Its hypnotic pattern locked her eyes. She laid down flat on her back to watch it, the same neutral and relaxed expression on her face.

"I could never forget yesterday," she said, weaving her hands together on her navel. "Not either could I forget today. You keep giving me kindnesses, even when you have your own problems to deal with. Your own...harrowing matters."

Lunise's head rolled from the light above to see Meesei laying next to her. Her eyes wandered up and down, starting and ending at her orange eyes.

"You do not need that dress," Lunise quickly said without immediate context. Her eyes rolled back to the light above, slightly less relaxed than before.