Strange warm pleased feelings. Some disbelief, that she is in anyway comparable to Pradnakt. A resolution to be better, to live up to that pride.

Good.

The art gets nicer, from there - still more angular, angrier, than the pieces on the other trail, but that's not the focus, so much. They're more representational, too - this one, set into the side of a cliff, gives the effect of looking out a spaceship window; this one is a study of desert plants, with dozens, maybe hundreds, of fantastically colored succulents tucked into a shallow cave; this one uses a more primitive version of the technique she's already seen, highlighting the banding of a stone pillar with metal and gems, with the addition of sleeping buried creatures and one birdlike one breaking its way free.

Pradnakt keeps a close eye on Rhoda, making sure that she's drinking regularly and doesn't show any signs of overheating; it's hot out here.

She might need, on occasion, reminded to drink, because she's pretty enthralled by the art, and not quite used to this kind of heat, or this kind of exertion in it. She does, however appear to be paying better attention to her own physical state in terms of the heat, and warns Pradnakt when she feels a little too warm.

They can stop for a break, then. The long polelike thing she's been carrying turns out to be a big umbrella, for extra shade, and she's got snacks, too.

And the snacks prompt Rhoda to realise she's hungry. And the extra shade is definitely pleasant. And there are many things about this that has Rhoda smiling, and silently expressing happiness.

Dusk fishes around in her pack and passes Rhoda a packet of cheese-flavored crackers, and then finds some tiny chocolate cookies for herself. Want to try one of these? They're sweet, but you might like them anyway, you haven't tried chocolate yet.

She considers. If you don't mind?

Of course not. She passes one over.

Thank you. Rhoda eats it slowly. It's...pleasant. But definitely something to be eaten in moderation, too much would probably get sickly. She enjoys the crackers much more.

I have some real chocolate at home, if you'd like to try it sometime.

She half shrugs. Maybe. She isn't entirely sure on the matter, and besides, right now she has more interesting things to think about - like more art? If Pradnakt is ready to move on?

Sure.

There are a few more pieces - a swirling mosaic of stones and bits of metal; a tall spire that rises from the sand and branches into dozens of moving, draping wires tipped with glass prisms that throw tiny rainbows everywhere - and then Pradnakt declares that they've reached the end. It's faster to just follow the rest of the loop back home, but if you'd like to go back the way we came we can stop and see everything again; we should have time for that before Daisy gets back.

The spire very definitely gets Rhoda's attention, with all tiny rainbows.

She doesn't respond, immediately, to the choices on the directions of their return. After a little while, it will probably become apparent that she's not actually able to make the choice. On the one hand: seeing the pretty art again. On the other: it is warm out here, and she is starting to get tired.

Go home, have a shower, cool down? We can come back whenever you like.

After a moment, Rhoda nods. That's easier to make a decision on.

All right.

The walk back is shorter but less interesting than the walk out; there's no art, just the scrubby, rocky terrain.

Rhoda follows, her pace now a bit slower. And scrubby, rocky terrain is still pretty fascinating for someone who's used to sheer metal (even if it is less pretty).

Pradnakt keeps to Rhoda's pace, slowing when she notices something she wants to look at.

As they near home, she pauses, looking into the distance as if she hears something.

Rhoda pauses in time, immediately scanning the horizon, and tensing slightly, wondering if she's about to See something.

- not impossible.

There's an injured animal out there - oryx, I think. I'll go take care of it while you're in the shower.

Rhoda tilts her head, obviously curious about what an oryx is, but she inclines her head, and heads back towards the house.

Oryxes are a little bit like goats, but bigger and wild. There should be a picture in one of the books Daisy's bringing. Walk walk.

Rhoda will continue following.

And shortly they're home. Pradnakt drops the things she's carrying off on the table and retrieves a different bag from the cabinet. Take your time with the shower, I'll be a while. If Daisy gets back before I do you can tell her where I went and that I don't expect to be gone very long.

Rhoda nods again, and will wait for Pradnakt to leave before following her instructions.