Ascot had been so tired, from these emotionally trying times, that he had failed to answer Jake's question. This tiredness had not proceeded from the fight he had been in; his reserves were not so easily taxed by that. No, rather, this tiredness was [i]emotional[/i], coming from the rollercoaster of upheveals that Lucus' coming and Amelia's near-death experience had brought to being.

"I'm here now, Mom; are you okay?" Ascot said as he arrived at Rose's side. He smiled as he saw her cuddling Amelia; it seemed as though Rose was all right, after all. The boy then looked at Elyse, who was feeling jealous, and sat down beside her, taking out a few lollipops from his Inventory and handing one over to her in a placatory gesture. He then said:

"'Want some, Elyse?"