Though she'd spent many nights in Kugane during their first expedition, Alisaie never had time to truly experience a night in the city. While it was Scion business that had prompted their return, this time she and her fellows had time to spend as they wished, however brief it may be. Such was their first free evening, meeting up for tea before the others split off for a night of drinks and revelry, even convincing her brother, with his new found sense of frugality, to join them. She'd planned to retire to the Bazaar, had Tataru not made plans on her and Sari's behalf.

Though she'd been hesitant at first, once she'd stepped into the hot springs, her troubles had melted away. The Empire, Ascians, Asahi's threats, all naught but a distant memory as she'd let her body relax. Strolling through the streets, she looked back over her shoulder, her body yearning to return to the soothing waters again.

"I see I'm not the only one yearning to go back."

She looked ahead to see Sari's playful smile staring back at her, the young Xaela nimbly walking backwards. Her smile was infectious, Alisaie finding she couldn't help but smile back.

"If only...though if we return, we might never leave again," she replied with a sigh. Had Sari not convinced her, she'd have missed out on such a wonderful night. Back in Sharlyan she'd rarely had the chance to spend time with children her age. On the occasion she did, she'd felt like an outsider, her early admittance to the Studium creating a near insurmountable barrier…

Lost in thought, she looked up to see Sari running ahead, only to stop at the street corner, staring at something on one of the stalls. Following her gaze, she noticed the small orchestrion, the device emitting a soothing melody that cast her mind back as she looked to the stars, remembering that night in La Noscea, just her, Sari and Ga Bu…

She looked back to see Sari gently swaying to the music. Her eyes were closed, her body moving in time to the piano, twirling slowly as though in a waltz. She'd heard Sari mention she liked to dance, but seeing her enchanted by the music, Alisaie couldn't help but stare, the urge to join her almost too much to…

"Oh hells…"

"Lady Sunako!"

The sudden sound of retching pulled both of them from their trances. She ran to Sari's side, her eyes widening as she spotted Alphinaud and an Auri Raen standing over Sunako, the young samurai knelt over the bridge's railing, clutching her stomach as she groaned loudly.

"Well, it was nice while it lasted."