"To Never Falter..."

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

"Happy?" Kalenel marveled at the word, disecting its meaning within his mind and soul. "Happier than I was before the attack," Kalenel answered firmly, assured that this was really how he felt. He was his own person now, and he answered to no one. He also had Faust, and the rest of House D'Rinishad at his side willing to face any of his opponents with him.

"I stayed in Vortex since the attack, only before Autumn did I venture outwards. I recently arrived back from Acumin, and after that Portshire," Kalenel's mood picked up as he mentioned his adventures. There was much outside the world of Vortex, and Kalenel now understood that.

"How long will you stay here in Vortex?" Kalenel asked, hoping inside that she would be staying awhile. "You are free to stay here as long as you like, we still have a lot of catching up to do."

[Muse]

Muse was glad that the conversation seemed to be picking up in strength. She hadn't liked the gloomy shadow that had been casting itself over them most of the time. It seemed Kalenal had been other places besides this city, and for that she was rather glad. There were more things than what was between its brooding walls.

"In Vortex?" she echoed, her eyes wandering about herself as though she had just realized where she was. "I'd rather not impose," she said. "I have the money to pay for a room for a while. I don't have anywhere particular to go.... I suppose I just came here because things felt unfinished." She looked at her hands a moment, unsure as to how to explain herself. But perhaps there was no need. "I will stay as long as you like - otherwise I'll only just wander away again."

She looked back up, her gaze resting on him. "We should do something," she proposed, her eyes brightening somewhat. "Something other than sitting around in dark places, speaking about things that have hurt us."

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

After all of the painful memories that had arisen once again in his mind, Kalenel managed a genuine smile that would hopefully end any tension between the two. "I agree, Muse," he had to get used to her new name, "let us enjoy this darkening!"

Throwing on the finest cloak he had, which wasn't saying much in Kalenel's case, he opened the door for the lady and ushered her outside. Offering his arm, the vyystichi gave her another smirk. "Where to?"

[Muse]

Kalenal's conversational resilience made Muse smile gratefully. She would have rather left things as they were, and accepted that the only member of Vamai'tai who deserved to live had, indeed, lived on. They could talk about what had happened during and after those difficult ordinations, but she preferred that they enjoy each others' good fortune as it was.

It was almost immediately after Muse's suggestions that Kalenal had grabbed his cloak and opened the door for her, but she was certainly not complaining. She stood from the man's chair and murmured a thank you as she exited the hovel, and then paused just outside as she waited for him to join her.

He offered his arm and at first she seemed at odds with herself. Still, her hesitant expression did not last too long, and she slipped her fingers almost timidly against his sleeve and accepted him this time.

She paused again, this time at his question. She honestly had little recollection of Vortex as a whole, mainly because she had been just a child during the bulk of her time on the surface. Garamond had been sure to take her from this place as soon as possible after the rescue, and she had not been back any time since. She pursed her lips thoughtfully, and then looked to Kalenal for advice.

"I don't know this place well," she admitted to him. "What do you think?"