Illyana was also surprised by her sudden outburst, but Faolan's words and the look in his eyes had been too much for her. She had never experienced anyone, much less an adult, standing up for her and protecting her. It was all too much to bare, especially after she had shared so much about what had happened to her. She expected people to recoil from her, because that was what her parents did. Never in all her imaginings would she have guessed she would feel so safe with a pair of strangers. Maybe the world and the people in it weren't as bad as her mother had made them out to be...Lucien and Faolan and Aurel certainly proved the existence of Goodness.

Faolan was relieved to feel Lucien's return of his gesture. He held the girl until her tears calmed and she was able to breath again, and even after that he did not let go, not until she was ready to. It was strangely energizing to be comforting this girl this way, despite her despair...this action gave him a new outlook on his purpose. He needed to help her, no matter what, to let her achieve the goals she had in her life. The goals that others would never be able to see through to the end.

At some point, the Irishman noticed the absence of Aurel, and he glanced over at the boy to see him crying as well. Instead of returning this sad glance, Faolan smiled at him and held out his arm, waving him over. There was no need for any of them to suffer alone, not any more.

Aurel joined them and Faolan pulled him in so he was between Lucien and himself. The boy was so gentle and soft when he returned the hug, but the Irishman could tell he needed it as well. He hadn't been aware of ever needing a platonic hug like this, not until now.

When Illyana had finished crying she slowly pulled away from Faolan, leaving a large wet spot on his shoulder. She wiped her face, her nose, her eyes, repeatedly with the sleeves of her shirt, sniffling and coughing as she did so. Faolan let go of her, but did not move from the position he had taken in front of her.

[color=598527]"Thank you..."[/color] Illyana said, so quietly even at this distance it would be hard for someone with normal hearing to pick up the words. She couldn't look at anyone, knowing they were all crowded around her, she was too embarrassed.

Faolan, who still had his arm around Aurel's shoulders, fished a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to the girl. [color=a36209]"Here you go..."[/color] She took it without a word and used it to clean herself up. [color=a36209]"When you're ready,"[/color] the Irishman added, [color=a36209]"You let us know where you want to go and we'll take you there, okay? And if you don't know where, that's okay too. The three of us are just trying to find our way too..."[/color] he looked at Aurel and over his shoulder at Lucien and smiled, for real this time. Though it was short, it was sweet, and the happiness in it touched his eyes.