Illyana ate until she physically could not eat any more. Faolan had also brought extra water back for everyone, and she made sure to drink her fill. Though she was usually a smaller eater, she surprised herself by getting through almost half of the sandwich before she was unable to eat another bite. She was a bit worried that her body would be unable to digest it, but hoped that the water and whatever Lucien's healing had done would help her to keep it down. Maybe he would offer to help her again before going to sleep...but then again, she really wasn't sure what the limitations of this were and whether he would have to touch her to do it. She weighed her options mentally as she ate, wondering if it would be worth it to try; if it would take away the pain and if she could...control herself. That was the true test, whether she could stand to be in skin-to-skin contact with a person in the state she was in, especially given the strong feelings that were radiating out from Lucien at all times. Either way, she would wait for him to offer. Illyana was not one to ask.

Once she was finished and Lucien had asked his question, she nodded toward him almost ferociously, though she was caught in the middle of a yawn. [color=598527]"Oh, yes, please. I'm ready to go."[/color] She said this matter-of-factly, as if they had no choice but to leave right away.

Faolan had watched the girl eat, and though he was dissatisfied with the amount of food she had chosen to ingest, he knew it was best not to push her in her current state. He wrapped the remainder when she was done and handed it back to her so she could have it if and when she decided she was hungry again.

At her answer, Faolan raised his eyebrows and shook his head, "I'm afraid we can't leave tonight, miss." He answered her tone with a hard line of his own.

Immediately, Illyana's face fell as she looked at Faolan and then back at Lucien, her eyes growing in size with each passing second. She thought it had been clear to them...she wanted to leave as soon as possible. It would only be a few hours of driving into the night if they left now...but the big man's voice was flat and final. He had decided, just as her mother had that night...she knew there was no changing his mind.

[color=598527]"Oh..."[/color] she answered, dejected, [color=598527]"I'm sorry, I just thought...well..."[/color] she looked into her lap and the sandwich she held there. She'd gripped the hem of her dress and was squeezing and twisting it in her hands. This was a nervous habit she had been trying to kick, but she had so far been unsuccessful. 

[color=a36209]"I'm sorry."[/color] Faolan said, softening his tone a little when he saw the girl's reaction. [color=a36209]"I didn't mean to come off harsh, but Utica is almost five hours from here in the bus. Even if we left now, we wouldn't arrive until around midnight, and I doubt your parents would be happy about that. Besides, you need a good night's rest. Let's get you some sleep and breakfast, and we'll head out first thing in the morning."[/color] He looked at Lucien when he was finished, hoping for agreement.

[color=598527]"I-It's okay. I...I understand."[/color] Illyana said, staring down into her lap with an intensity she could scarcely muster. She had been looking forward to seeing her sister's face again...her smile, to see someone happy to see her for once. But waiting another night...it wouldn't be so bad. At least she would have a roof over her head, and blankets...