"...hello, Mother. I'm sorry I got stranded in a strange universe for ten years," says Sable.

"I'll just leave you two to catch up," says Ehail. "Let me know when you want to be unsummoned."

"Thank you," says Sable's mother.

"You're welcome." Ehail lets herself out of the office and shuts the door most of the way.

Sable hugs her mother. Catching-up is had. She gives her mother some presents, some of which are to be passed on to her father. (She is relieved to discover he's still alive, and that the world still hasn't ended.)

"I've got lots more, but I think that'll be enough to start with, especially the life candies - they nearly fixed my ground," says Sable. "And Rithka is eavesdropping on us." She turns towards the door. "Hello, Rithka."

"Your mother left it a little open. This is my mother, Camellia Arrowsmith. Mother, this is Rithka. She was watching me write my letter, too."

"...Pleased to meet you," says Camellia.

Rithka turns into a human again. "Hi."

Sable giggles.

"What? What'd I do?" asks Rithka, looking down at herself. "I'm not interesting, I'm not even allowed to pierce my ears yet."

"In the world we're from, there aren't any people who can turn into shapes other than the one they started with," says Sable.

"I'm a dragon," says Rithka. "I did say. Do you only have, like, Barashin kinda dragons?"

"We have stories about dragons but not any actual dragons to go with them. At least as far as I know. There was that one incident with the bat-malice but I don't think that's the same thing at all."

"Oh. Well, I'm an actual dragon, and so are Mom and Cenem."

"Dragons seem to be very magical."

"Yeah, it's pretty great!"

"I can see that."

"Should I get Mom or is your mom staying longer?"

Sable glances inquiringly at her mother.

"I think I should go home and reassure Azal as soon as possible," she says.