Illyana was relieved to hear Lucien was ready to go. She had wanted to come along, but Faolan had explained that seeing their little niece with strangers asking questions about her parents would only raise suspicion. It was better if Lucien went alone.

She took a spot next to Aurel so she could watch Lucien speak with this woman at the door. She was supposedly related to the lady, a redheaded woman of short stature who opened the door. Her brow furrowed a little bit as she searched the the resemblance, but by the time they entered the building she could only admit that their hair and size matched.  

She glanced at Aurel when he made his comment and couldn't help but agree. She didn't know how Lucien did it, but she assumed it had to do with his aura. She had known for a while that even if regular people couldn't put their finger on it, couldn't see it or describe it, they could experience and aura if it was strong enough. It was the same reason that dogs reacted badly to her post man, his aura was dark but it was the opposite of Lucien's, like he was filled with malice and anger. The woman at the bakery down the street from her...old house...had an aura like Lucien's though. It wasn't as potent, but she radiated kindness and acceptance, and made the most fluffy muffins the girl had ever eaten. Illyana would miss her most of all...

While they waited, Faolan read maps and Aurel fell to sketching as was his past time, but Illyana was unable to sit still. Though the adults had acquired several books for her while they had gotten supplies, she was too wound up to read any of them. She simply paced through the bus, up and down the hall there with her hands clasped behind her, in front of her, toying with her hair and the hem of her dress. 

Faolan knew that the girl was full of nervous energy, and while it was irritating to watch her pace while he was trying to concentrate, he kept this to himself. He knew that she was feeling excited and scared and uncertain, and if this was what helped her get through it, then so be it. It had been easy with Aurel, he was a quiet child and sat so still at times that one could forget he was there. The Irishman was quickly learning that this was not the case with Illyana. In an effort to make herself seem less conspicuous, she drew attention with her nervous energy. 

Only moments passed before Lucien returned from the house with his news. Illyana nearly jumped from her skin when he opened the door, like a cat with its hackles raised, she turned to the man. He wasted no time in explaining, and Illyana felt herself deflate with every word. She had thought that if this person really was related to her parents that she might have more information...She had always known that her parents were secretive, but this was too careful. Either they truly did not wish to be found or they were afraid of something...she hoped she was wrong, but she knew she was right about one or the other possibility.

[color=598527]"West..."[/color] she said quietly, then sat on the bench once again, all of the energy gone from her tiny frame.

Faolan knew that this was bad news for Illyana, but he has expected as much. Every turn of this had been one for the worse, and he didn't expect it to stop here. Still, he smiled at Lucien, grateful that the man knew just the perfect way to look on the brightside.

[color=a36209]"Have you ever been West, Illyana?"[/color] The Irishman asked, leaning over the driver's seat with a map in his lap.

The girl looked up at him with heavy eyes and shook her head. She had read books about animals that lived in the west, and had seen maps before, but had never been further west than Pennsylvania.

[color=a36209]"It's beautiful there. I'm sure you'll love it, you and Isabella both."[/color] He smiled at her briefly, then went back to the map. Now that they had a direction, he had to start plotting a course.

Illyana's mood seemed to brighten again. Faolan's smile had a way of making her feel like everything was going to be alright. She looked back at Lucien and tried to smile as well, though she was sure it looked like a frown. [color=598527]"I'll find someone. I know I can,"[/color] she said, her voice filled with renewed confidence. Isabella needed her, and she wasn't going to be defeated in her quest to find her twin. She had no other choice, they had to be together.