And he appears. After a moment: "Are all of you doing alright?"

"For now. Fixing things will... be an ongoing process."

"It will."

"I have a lot to investigate, myself - and I'll help where I can."

"Do you have any more information right now?"

"Nothing specific, not yet. There's - avenues of research, is all."

A pause, and: "I know regrettably little about the nature of Solar Exaltations - we stayed out of each others' processes, so betrayal by one wouldn't bring all down - but something about yours seems... Different. Clearer, I suppose, but - I don't know if that's just a response to your own emotions, or if the difference is causative."

"I would like you to compare my daughter's, if you can."

"I can. I got a decent look when she first Exalted, too, so I can see what's changed in her."

"That should be helpful."

"When's best for me to come back?"

"Tomorrow, perhaps?" She looks to her wife.

"Yeah. It's - best to get this moving sooner. Maybe as soon after moonrise as you can?"

Solemn nod. "Of course."

"Thank you."

"Anything for my favorite girls."

Heh.

Smug grin. "You know it."

He laughs. "I'll pursue more of what I can over the day - the Maidens might know something, or I can pick back up 'where did Autochthon go' - but, regardless, I'll try to have more for you tomorrow night."

"We'll see you then."

"See you."

And he leaves.

Bed time for Elathea and Gleam?

Yeah. Gleam's... Tired. Wrung out.

(Sore. She's glad Luna didn't offer to put her Exaltation back in reach. It would've been very, very hard to say no.)

Gleam doesn't seem set to sleep well tonight.

"Do you want a sleeping potion?"

"I... Yeah. I think I need one..."

"I'll make one up for you. Do you want to come along or should I bring it to your room?"

"...I'll come along."

"I - I used to like watching you work."