She pottered round the kitchen, collecting her pots and pans and the like. Reaching over to grab the bread knife, she proceeded to cut six slices off of the loaf in front of her. She had planned a special breakfast just for him.

The bacon was sizzling on its pan, and the bread was in the toaster. All that remained was for him to get up and come to eat it.

She called his name up the stairs, loudly and clearly, and it seemed to reverberate all round the rooms of the house. She couldn't understand why he wasn't replying. She called again, louder, more insistent. Still he did not reply. She began to worry, yelling over and over again.

Finally, a figure appeared at the top of the stairs. Her heart leapt, then sank almost immediately as she focused.

"Mum?" a sleepy Elysia yawned. Gracia realized what she was doing, realized what she had done. She remembered once more, the pain coursing through her body.

She returned to the kitchen, tidied up her pots and pans, and threw the extra bread and bacon away.

Breakfast was quiet without Maes.