Quinn had only ever ridden the elevator when she was on [i]Ablaze.[/i] The only thing she'd ever seen was the cold darkness of the cockpit, and the only reason she'd ever gone to begin with was training, again and again and again.

So she was [i]completely[/i] unprepared as the elevator platform dropped down beneath the rim of the Aerie, and the hardlight sheath opened up around them. For just a moment, she was looking through the window of the house by the lake again, and she leaned over the railing, holding out her hand, barely a foot left between her fingers and the channel, almost like should could touch the spreading colors and twirling leaves. "[color=ffe63d]Woooowwwww...[/color]"

A moment passed and she regained her balance, eye glimmering as she stared out at the world that was arrayed beneath her. Another unfamiliar feelings flowed through her. She'd been afraid of so much, and for so long, that she'd almost forgotten the feeling that she'd only [i]really[/i] felt on one warm afternoon, almost two months ago now. She was nervous, yes. She was nervous, scared, worried. But...

[i][color=ffe63d]What I'm helping protect...[/color][/i]

Descending into the whirlwind of pastel colors as autumn took hold, she felt the heady rush of [i]excitement[/i] as well. The flowing, swirling, erupting colors bloomed beneath her, almost like...like...

She hugged Besca tight, and felt a warm tear roll down her cheek as she did. And there were some tears in her voice, it was true. But despite that, it was more than evident that she was undeniably, irrefutably, and [i]deeply[/i] happy. "[color=ffe63d]They're like fireworks, Besca.[/color]"