Outside it was sunny and clear; leaning up against the brick wall, in the entryway that led out onto the street, was a dark-skinned spirit in a teal, hooded uniform. Their head was shaved except for the top, which was grown out very long in a deep reddish ponytail. They had high cheekbones and a gold piercing in their lip, and seemed quite relaxed.

"Halloh," they said.

"Oh," Liya said. "It's you."

"It's me," Luu agreed, flashing her a big, fanged smile.

"I didn't know you had friends in the army," Shinobu remarked to Vlad.

"A few," he replied. "I'm hoping the gatekeepers give us less trouble with Luu around."

Luu offered Shinobu an arm as they approached. "Shall we, professor?"

"Stay out of trouble, you," Vlad told Liya, who was hanging back with a frown. Yoshi was just about to follow the others, when she spoke up.

"Uh...Yoshi?"

She glanced back; Liya wasn't quite looking at her, but said with some embarrassment, "Uh...when you get back, tell me about Enodia. OK? It's prolly not much like home," she added, rubbing the back of her neck, "But...I dunno. It's still...my world."

"I can do that," Yoshi answered, and held out her arms. Liya hugged her, flushing.

"Good luck."

Liya stood and watched then as the four others headed off down the sidewalk together. For a moment she just stood there thoughtfully, before turning around and walking the other way.