When Gale and the Shade landed, they were inside the home of Rory Hawthorne. It was a quiet District 7 home, and it was peaceful. Rory was eating dinner with his wife, his son was not there because he grew up and joined the army.
His wife asked him a question when he seemed glum. "Honey, is something wrong?"
His response came after hesitation. "I talked to Gale today."
His concerned wife muttered. "I don't know why you bother with him. He's not going to change."
Rory chuckled, but his eyes betrayed his real feelings. "You sound just like Posy and Vick."
Unlike Rory, Gale's other two siblings have long since ceased to waste energy attempting to stir him from his bitterness. Even Rory does not actually think Gale will change; he is simply fulfilling the duty of a sibling.
"But why do you bother with him?"
Rory sighed with melancholy. "He's my brother. I am obligated to check up on him and keep in touch. I'll do so with the hope he'll lighten up, even though I know he won't. It could also be because I pity him; going through life the way he does is not a good way to do it."
"Why is he so bitter?"
"If I knew I'd tell you. Must be because of something that happened during the war?"
"We all suffered during the war; that's not an excuse for him to mope his life away."
"I hope he doesn't. Until the day he dies, I'll still hold out hope that I can see him again. I haven't seen him in person for over a decade, and it is not easy to imagine what he must look like based on a picture."
"You must miss him."
"I do."
While Gale was watching this conversation, he sighed glumly. He wondered how Rory would react if he knew his older brother will die in five years.
The Shade turned to look at Gale, asking him. "Is there something wrong?"
"No ... its just ... I wish I had told Rory something during my last conversation with him."
"We should go now. There is still much to do."
When Gale said nothing, the Shade grabbed his forearm and the surroundings shifted once again.