"Well, I am as full as ever. Shall I escort the young miss to her room?" Rowen said almost a bit too giddy as he looked over to Gaius who was now on his third drink of the night after his own supper. Gaius could very well hold his liqueur, and tonight was no exception. From the looks of it, Esther declined every offer instead of something else. Rowen and Esther had trailed behind in idle conversation while Gaius silently taking in everything.

She was a curious person to both of them, and they wanted to know more about her before he gave his absolute trust. However, from what Rowen witnessed so far she would have that in no time. Her family had been caught up in a Schism rupture twenty years ago and much of her family was lost. Rowen did not mention Exodus simply because she had not. Her last name rang a bell with him and he knew where he heard it before. Alvin, or rather Alfred, had the same last name and he couldn't help but wonder the relation. However, the way she talked she had no idea of their involvement. In fact, his name never even popped up. Lily was the center of her world. They were just two sisters getting by when the main family excluded them from much of their luxuries.

"I do not see why not," Gaius said as he set down his now empty glass and turned to Esther, not even a little bit awkward from his drinking. "Sleep well. Rowen here will probably tire you out before we go through the paperwork you sorted in finer detail. I have matters to attend to tomorrow morning, so I will not be able to come with."

"Oh, of course," she said rather confused at his rather dueling personalities. Her instincts told her he was a dangerous man. But another part of her said that he was just a lonely man who enjoyed the company of others when they offered it. The conflicting emotions were hard to sort out considering he was so intimidating. However, there was something about him that pulled her to want to know him. Or at least be on his good side. "It's lovely here. I'm glad to be able to be a part of this project of unifying the two nations, no matter how small the job."

"That's the spirit, but I assure you that you have no small job, Esther," Rowen said as he stood up and watched her follow. "Good evening, Gaius. I shall see you bright and early before I take my leave with the tour."

"Good night, sir. Pleasant dreams," she said without even thinking. Covering her mouth with embarrassment, she saw the pull of a smile at his lips as he tilted his head. The poker face he had came back on and he looked as serious as ever.

"Thank you, Miss Esther," he said simply as he walked away.

Rowen took the opportunity to tap one of Esther's shoulders so she would turn around. "This way, if you would," he said with an amused look. "That is the first time I witnessed anyone tell him to have 'pleasant dreams'. You truly are an endearing person. Although, that look of surprise on his face, that you no doubt couldn't quite see, was something an old geezer like me can enjoy for many years to come."

"It just slipped. It's something my mother said to me and so I always say it to Lily. Speaking of, I should call her on my GHS this evening and make sure that she got wind of my transfer. I feel bad to have just left her, but I didn't have a chance to refuse even if I wanted to. Traveling and seeing Rieze Maxia has been a fascination of mine for six months now. I can't wait to see it all," she said with a small smile that Rowen noted as also rather sad. To leave one's family was never easy, no matter the age. Gaius had to sever ties with his sister, Karla before he was even twenty years old. The road to the throne had been a hard one, but Gaius never wavered.

"Well, it is a wonderful phrase. I wouldn't want you to forget such heart-warming memories while in this cold place. Kanbalar is quite cold, but not a wasteland. The snow covered mountains just above us have a majesty all their own. Fitting for a throne," Rowen said with pride as he took her down one of the halls that were normally blocked off by a rope between two waist high poles. There were masked guards, but they nodded as they recognized Rowen and let them pass.

The rest of the walk was filled with talking about the history of Kanbalar and Auj Oule territory in general. Their customs and traditions, it was all interesting to her. Especially when she was told that the youngest fighter was only twelve when he won in the Coliseum in Xian Du. "That's extraordinary! Only twelve… I was still in bed most of the day when I was that age and he was fighting off monsters of all sorts, even other men too! I would like to meet him someday, if he's still alive."

"Rumor has it he will not die easy. I'm sure you will meet him someday," he said with a smile as he opened up the guest room. The room itself was traditionally decorated with Kanbalar's finest. A restroom off to the left of the room and a large bed enough to fit at least five of her were what caught her eye the most. "I shall send someone up with proper garments for the conditions of tomorrow's tour. Feel free to rest up and speak to your sister. Good night, Miss Esther," Rowen said as Esther turned around and wished him what she wished Gaius. 'Pleasant dreams'.

Sighing as she was left alone in her room, she saw her bags in a corner and went to retrieve some of what was necessary. Her GHS was in a smaller bag and that was the first thing on her mind. Lily had to know from her just what was going on. Her sister's GHS was almost picked up immediately picked up in a frantic manner.

"Essy! Where are you? They told me you were on assignment and wouldn't tell me where, and and…"

"Calm down, Lily," Esther said as she sat on her bed and told her sister just what was happening. By the time she was finished, Lily was more shocked than anything. "So, I'll be here a while, but I'm sure I can come visit once my duties subside a bit more. Right now, I have a lot to work on."

"Oh, I see… So, is the guy scary? I heard one of the girls here say that her father saw him and said he was frightening. If you're in danger, just tell me and I'll kick his butt, sis!"

Smiling at the enthusiasm, Esther couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Well, he is intimidating, but not really scary."

"That doesn't make sense…" Her sister's confusion was evident, but she didn't want to give the wrong idea.

"Well, I can tell you that he poses no immediate threat to me for you to come and save me," she said with another laugh. "He could probably take out an army for all I know, but he isn't a bad person who would do so on a whim. I can feel that from him. But in any case, I should go. I need to get sleep and so do you. Sorry for calling so late. Pleasant dreams, Lily."

Saying her good-byes to her sister, she didn't even notice the looming stance of the man she just spoke of near her door. Deciding it best to just turn and go, he did so as he saw a handmaid with some clothes for her to choose from. Stopping her, he looked at the selection and picked out a blue set of clothes from the few that were in her arms. "This one will do. Carry on," he said simply as he told the woman to go on as he went to his own quarters down the hall.

As the handmaid smiled and nodded her head, she walked the short distance to the room and knocked. Setting the blue one on top of the four sets of clothes as Esther thanked her for the clothing. They were in plain sight on a chair and Esther couldn't help but admire them all, but especially the blue one on top as she readied herself for bed.

Once she was prepared, she slipped into the warm bed with furs all around her. She felt like a woman in luxury for once in quite some time. The tears started to overflow as she tried to stop them, but to no end they seemed to have a mind of their own. All the confusion and conflicting emotions, it finally broke through after having a brave face all day. Crying herself quietly to sleep, she found herself dreaming of a time where things were not so complicated. A time when her parents and Lily lived all together in peace and happiness. It was one of the best dreams she had in quite some time despite her tears before the dream.

It was only when light reflected off the snow outside her window that she awoke. The pink and orange sunrise peeking over the mountain in a majestic view as she wrapped her blanket around her shoulders and went out to her small balcony she had only just noticed. Slipping on some boots that the handmaid had brought in last night along with the rest of the clothes, she walked outside and looked at it as if she could simply take steps closer and touch it.

"You'll catch sick if you stay out here long," said a deep voice from a few windows over as his head poked out and he stepped out onto the balcony of his own room. Her body tensed as she had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from shrieking. None other than the king in… not much. He had a long pair of pants, but no shirt. A view that made for more than just her cheeks to heat up, her entire body felt red with embarrassment. Looking down at herself, she noted that he couldn't see that her top was rather low cut or her pants were made of silk. Not that her body had much to offer with 'views', but still… she was a woman despite not being a curvy one.

"Oh, I uh… was just out admiring the sunrise," she said rather sheepishly.

"You don't have them in Elympios?"

His tone was both mocking and curious, but she decided that she wouldn't be prey to mockery this early. "Of course, we do. This is just a different place. Everywhere has a different sort of vibe to it, and this is no exception."

"Vibe?"

"You know, feeling… like how different people are regarded a different way, it's the same with places. Every place has its own story and personality."

"Interesting take on the topic, but I suppose you have a point. Forgive my rudeness," he said simply as he walked back in, not leaving room for her to say anything more.

If this was how the morning was already… she could only imagine how the rest of her first full day in Rieze Maxia would be.