Exiting the cottus, Cassius gave Isole a wide berth, keeping Ahmma at his heel….She came out following them and stood apart from Cassius and Ahmma, a few steps to their left, uncomfortable with him and his company, but not at all shy about setting foot beyond the cottus doors.

She let her eyes go where these wished: The cottus grounds at eye-level were laid-out before her, ending at a far gate with white-bricked walls rising at regular rectangles, thin and concise, every twenty meters or so, and between these white "crosses" were the spikes of the gate bars, rising as silver-blue arrows to the sky….Leading to the far gate was a gravel path, decorated with a "thoughtful" golden and white pattern among the pebbles used to set this path itself, and behind her were the vast doors of the cottus, flanked by colonnades that spanned left and right in a circle out from the entrance….Cassius watched her view the plots of gardens and fountain-pools filling the nearest grounds on either side of the pathway, and the little trails in between their groupings. She had the briefest flicker of a smile on her lips at this first sight of the grounds up-close….She glanced at Cassius and saw him observing her, "….Why do you look at me like you do."

Cassius gave a start and blinked, "….Once in a lifetime ago, we were soulmates…." He heard the multitudinous whispers of The Many surge in the back of his mind, warning him not to do what he had done again….nor attempt to help her remember….What does it matter….He looked away from admiring her profile and hair, Isole having not spared more than that glance in his direction, "….This is Nualavera, Nefen….Let us show you around?"

"I wish to walk on my own," she did not look at him, "….Is it safe to go about without your constant watch?"

His expression darkened, and Cassius flipped his hand towards the city before them, "….As you please, Nefen….but stay in the cottus grounds, and if you go farther than the gates, go not beyond the city walls." She took a few steps forward, Cassius reaching for her suddenly, taking hold of the silks she wore without having tied these properly….She turned to look at him tying the ribbons and sashes hastily before she could stop him, and then Cassius was done….He backed away, watching her reaction….Isole stared at him with uncertainty but her defensive posture was no more.

She stood erect and stately, then, "….Thank you….I was wondering what those were for…." Cassius tilted his brow downward in a gesture of welcome, "….Will I be able to return here….when, say, I tire?"

He smiled, pleased she had not shouted nor struck him for fixing her dress-silks, "….Always, Nefen."