"I know, but you will learn to tune it out. We'll work on it together."

To Anders: "Blaise is a spirit. Not sure what of, but he's very empathetic."

Anders is interested in Blaise, from a very scholarly point of view, but he cannot help the wonder he feels at hearing Karl's patient, teacherly voice.

"I missed you, every day."

Karl reaches up to pull Anders down to kiss him again. "I thought I'd only see you again in the Fade."

Blaise skitters away slightly, watches them in confusion.

"Dad-" Cia says, and then abruptly claps a hand over eir mouth.

Anders breaks away from Karl to stare at Cia, open mouthed. Did ey just...call him Dad?

Karl laughs. "Darling, you should've warned me you had kids!" He teases Anders.

Anders smile is giddy. He actually giggles.

Cia grins and skips forward, thrusting eir hand out. "M'Cia, that's Ilska."

"It's lovely to meet you both." Karl shakes eir hand. "I'm Karl, though I suppose Anders has already told you that."

He gestures to Blaise. "This is Blaise, he's a friend."

Blaise gives a tiny wave when attention is drawn to him.

Cia softens eir smile. "C'mon, think we could all use some sleep?"

"I'll, uh, keep watch?"

"What's wrong, love?" 

So long apart, and he can still read Karl like a book. The familiarity settles on him like a warm blanket.

"I keep thinking I can hear them. They were going to drag me off, and even though my phylactery is gone I still-" 

Karl sucks in a breath, feeling a little anxious.

"Got it covered," Ilska says quietly. "No-one gets in without me knowing."

"We've got the place pretty well warded as well," Cia adds.

Karl smiles warmly at them. "Thank you both. That does help somewhat. And knowing Blaise and Rae and Defiance are with me helps too."

He wraps an arm around Anders' waist. "You're going to sleep too?"

"How can I refuse an offer like that," Anders says, kissing Karl's temple. 

"Not going anywhere," Raeli assures, apparently still awake.

Lines of light flicker over her face into that carnival mask. "Put too much effort into getting you out to let you get caught now."

"Very true. Wouldn't want you to waste effort," Karl laughs.

"First things first, Ilska and Cia, off to bed. I'll check the wards."

Ilska settles down stubbornly beside the door, leaning her head back against the wall.

Cia on the other hand, heads back towards their bedroom.