Helly had obviously been to see Cynn Numair in nir absence; ne spoke cheerily about it while ne led Liya up through the Palace. Nir voice broke the otherwise eerie quiet of the dark hallways lined with their white blank-eyed statues.

They were climbing a staircase Liya was beginning to recognize soon. The statues here were of weird eel-like animals with blunt noses and beady little eyes; they looped themselves easily around illuminated white stone globes.

"--And Highness said if you're willing to work with me in the infirmaries, he'll make sure your immigration paperwork goes through," Helly was saying. Liya had only been half-listening, but this took her attention. "Isn't that nice? I can sponsor you!"

Liya said nothing. She'd said nothing the whole way up. Helly didn't seem to notice.

"He's always doing this sort of thing," ne continued mildly, smiling a bit. "Helping people slip through the system."

They reached a hallway full of carved eels and reed-mat floors and yellow light. Liya found her own door without trouble, and tested it, seeing that it was still unlocked.

Helly went quiet for a little bit, watching her open the door, some of nir gentle anxiety seeming to return.

"He's really very kind, Liya," ne said after a while, hesitantly.

Liya slid open the reed door, which rattled in its frame.

The room beyond was cavernous, cold, and dark. Moonlight was coming in from the far window, and the walls were clad in flags and frescoes, but the room still seemed incredibly empty. It did not feel lived-in, or even used at all.

Helly looked anxiously in at the unwelcoming room, and then at Liya, who was merely standing with an expression of quiet desperation on her face. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Did Yoshi show you around the Palace?" Helly asked finally, somewhat timidly.

Briefly Liya's brow knit, and her lips pursed indignantly. But then her throat shut tight and hot tears had filled her eyes, and she could not hold in a miserable sniff.