She turns to Tayab as they catch up, see his expression, and smirks. "So, this entire neighborhood is mostly the Collective, 'Hema's clone line - which is very convenient, they all like 'Hema and they're pretty good neighbors. House has five floors - we can add more with the interdimensional magic, it can do space warping, but we tragically haven't actually run out of usable space inside yet. First floor is common areas and some guest space - Elesse claimed one of the rooms down there. Second floor is suites for my mom's group and the interdimensional group. Third floor we didn't have any ideas for other than just space for everything else to vault into. Fourth floor is a dungeon and some unused space, and fifth floor is my suite and then a lot of unused space, and then there's gardens on the roof... We can set aside some space for you guys if you want to stick around."

"A dungeon on the fourth floor, how novel."

"I mentioned all the hooking up, right?"

"I suppose it would be more convenient than a basement."

"Yup. This way we don't have to move any pipes, or worry about the water table."

"Efficient," she says approvingly.

"Though a space expanded magic basement between the first floor and the stuff below it would have been really cool."

"Surely it is not too late to add something along those lines?"

"Certainly not, and there would be an advantage to a second dungeon... Though I might instead ask for a space expanded one on my floor, just for me and those I invite in."

"Something private and access-restricted. Very sensible."

"Customized to my tastes, no chance it's in use by another group... Fewer chances of getting interrupted..."

"There is little worse than an unexpected interruption in the midst of a... delicate task."

"Absolutely. It can be quite disruptive to any in progress tasks, too. You might have to start all over."

"Always a shame."

"Especially for anyone who'd rather the task be finished in a timely manner."

Occlus laughs.

"Disappointment can be character-building, or so it is said."

"Being left hanging can be good for developing problem solving skills, too."

Occlus hums happily.

"It might also be an opportunity for a lesson to be learned."

"The lesson is likely more effective when planned by the teacher, though."

"Mistress tells me that everything is a lesson, if one can find the proper perspective."

"Of course, but some lessons are a bit more efficient than others."

"Serendipitous chances must be taken when they occur."

"No reason not to set the stage when you can."

"Indeed."

Small smile.

And then: the house! In all its glory. Lily unlocks the door, letting everyone in, and calls out, "I'm home!"