Rhazii did not display any rush to fill Julan in on the mystery. The group walked back to the dining room with Harald in the lead and rejoined Julan's parents and grandparents.

A short while of civil conversation passed over some tea that solidified their acceptance of the new state of affairs. During this time, Rhazii and Jatinha noticeably exchanged smiled, despite their attempts at hiding it. The group would have stayed for longer, perhaps even until sunset and beyond, but Janius soon picked up on Julan's impatience and began the ceremonies to leave. Aeramina had a knack for continuing their talks such that it took twenty minutes just to get to the door.

When Harald pulled the front door open for them, it was the final step that Aeramina did not hold them back from. They stood standing ready to leave in front of their reunited family.

"Well, this will be goodbye for now," Janius said with a smile. "We move around a lot, but we will write to you and tell you where you can send responses. I want to hear about your adventures, Aurana."

Aurana opened her mouth to speak and only managed a shuddering breath out. She instead threw her arms around Janius, tears forming in her closed eyes. "I'll miss you all."

Janius returned the hug. "I'll miss you, too, sister. I'm glad I got to finally meet you." Janius spoke carefully. Kaleeth, at least, could tell that he was holding back his emotions. They separated and Janius clapped a hand on Aurana's shoulder. "Welcome to a new chapter of your life."

After a laugh, Aurana turned her tear-streaked face to Kaleeth. "You have been so nice to me, Kaleeth-Rei. I couldn't ask for a better sister-in-law." Julan got a similar treatment when Aurana hugged him again. "That was really rash, coming here without telling your father. But I'm glad you did, Julan." She chuckled. "You're my favourite nephew now." He was her only nephew.

Meanwhile, Janius stepped up to his parents. There were no words at first, only an awkward staring contest. Remus extended a stiff hand. Janius looked at it, looked at Remus, and grasped it. Both their expressions faltered and they stepped into an unpractised, yet still genuine embrace. Aeramina skipped the little ritual and went straight for holding Janius and quietly sobbing. She didn't look like she was in any hurry to let go.

During the distracted moment, Rhazii took a risk and gave Jatinha a quick hug as well. He murmured something under his breath in Ta'agra that made her giggle while embraced, but they made it quick before separating. Their hands slid free of each other last. Rhazii stepped back. He was smiling, but his eyes kept flicking between the floor and Jatinha's face.

[hr]
Lunise let her hands slide down to the sides of Meesei's legs as she sat up. She hummed at Meesei's touch and let her eyelids lower and rise. "Meesei," she said at a low pitch. "You exaggerate too much." Her cheeks flushed just enough for Meesei to see in the dim light. "Perhaps it is telling of you exaggerating your magical power." Lunise's hands ran gently up Meesei's sides.

As if the sentence made her realise something, Lunise halted her ministrations before they could escalate further. She looked up at Meesei and turned her head slightly. "I am your first Altmer partner," she said curiously. "It is obvious now that I ponder on it."