Although his insides churned with anxiety, Ghent remained focused. Not long after he pictured Smaya, he experienced the change in the air as the Betwixt replaced the Safe Zone, challenging his senses to adapt within a matter of moments. The sounds of the campsite had faded completely, replaced by what he assumed was rushing water. Gone were the smells of smoke and wood, morphing into the sweet smell of earth, similar to that of freshly fallen rain. The temperature grew warmer and more inviting, offering an opportunity to escape the cold. Visually, everything was different as well, but Ghent hadn't opened his eyes yet. Fearing what new horrors he might be met with, Ghent cracked open an eye. He looked to his hands as he flexed his fingers, relieved to find that he retained mobility. It was a promising start, a noticeable improvement over the last time he crossed over into the Betwixt. Even the emotions of the dead were gone; the only distress he experienced was due to his shiny new staff being left behind. Tensing at the sight of the tendrils, Ghent swiped his hand through the air in an attempt to disperse the intrusive swirls. He got to his feet and hurried forward to escape them, turning his head in every direction as he absorbed his surroundings more with every step. “What is this place?” The fear Ghent harbored was suddenly gone. The clearing was so unbelievably beautiful, he half wondered if he had somehow died during his transition from Hollow Forest to the Betwixt. Awestruck, the boy walked onward until he stopped near the waterfall, a spectacular sight that defied gravity and logic all at once. He knelt near the edge of the pool to look in, the ripples obstructing what should have been his reflection. The flow of water was calming, hypnotizing. It was enough to make him overlook his aches and pains, his troubles brought on by Wonderland and those associated with it. Rising, Ghent's gaze followed the waterfall until the sky took over his attention. He tilted back his head to get a fuller view, amazed by the show of stars above him. They looked close enough to touch, twinkling in a display that couldn't be rivaled. Movements slow, Ghent pulled down his hood in order to have better visual, his dark black hair unruly as ever. He glanced to his side, nearly expecting to see Drust or Elayra there. It almost felt wrong to witness something so incredible on his own. The thought was ironic, for in that very moment, a familiar voice sounded directly behind him. "Whoa!" Ghent spun around, startled by the sight of Smaya standing so close to him. The woman was just as he envisioned her, her presence adding a surprising splash of color to the clearing. Unlike the Betwixt, she hadn't changed, her aura of sorrow prominent as ever. "Oh [i]man![/i]" Hand on his heart, Ghent took a step back in order to see the taller woman's face. "You scared the crap out of me!" As soon as the words flew from his mouth, he regretted them. The statement probably wasn't the most appropriate way to greet the Guardian of Hollow Forest. Thankful Drust wasn't present to chastise him, Ghent turned to watch the waterfall alongside Smaya. He glanced sideways at her as she spoke, fearing his outburst had offended her. "Huh? Oh, yeah! It's not. Er. I mean...it is. We, uh...we don't have waterfalls like this on Earth." Ghent tripped over his words in his hurry to respond, feeling like the world's biggest idiot by the time he’d finished. He rubbed at his neck, touched by her welcoming him back. At least [i]someone[/i] cared. Wrapping the drawstring of his hoodie around his finger, Ghent studied Smaya through an occasional side glance. Much like Elayra, and females in general, she was impossible to read. Left with few options, Ghent decided to open the conversation by thanking the woman. "My..." Ghent paused, brows pushed together with thought. He still didn't know what word to use for Drust and Elayra. 'Friends' was out of the question, and even 'companions' felt too chummy. He hated to think what they referred to [i]him[/i] as. "My, uh, [i]associates[/i] wanted me to let you know that they're grateful for your help," he continued without taking a breath, feeling a bit like a businessman leading up to an important deal. "I'm grateful, too. We wouldn't have made it to the Safe Zone without you and Margen. I...[i]we [/i]really appreciate it." Without giving Smaya much room to reply, the boy babbled on, his nerves aiding him in what threatened to be a long winded ramble. "I know it’s asking a lot, but I was wondering if you would kind enough to help us again.” Ghent smiled as innocently as he could, the same tactic he used against his mother when asking for something expensive. “I know I just asked for help, but we're kinda at the mercy of the spirits, and, well, I was hoping you could use your super cool spirit magic to keep them in line for us.”