Despite the rather strange circumstances of the move, Atash was excited to return to Volans. He'd been away from home for far too long. Without the finances to travel, the young dragon been unable to see his family in almost a year, and letters, no matter how long, just couldn't replace an actual visit.

He was so excited to go home that the fire dragon had finished packing the same day the Guardians had announced that they would be leaving the Temple. Not that a quick pack was much of an achievement, everything Atash owned could be fit in the small trunk that had been provided him with plenty of room left. Even with the mountains of notes he was quite sure he'd need for classes, the fire dragon was carrying more empty space than anything.

The airship had arrived a day before they were to leave. The next morning Atash was awake before the sun. After a short walk around the perimeter of the Temple to wake himself up, the fire dragon stopped by Athkin's shrine for morning prayers. He was the only one there this early, but he didn't mind. He washed his forepaws in the ceremonial water basin, then knelt before the image.

Atash didn't stay as long as normal. He made sure to give thanks for opportunity to go home, requested a safe flight, and asked for a blessing on the day but was finishing by the time the other early risers were starting to shuffle in. On his way out, he smiled, and mouthed a 'good morning' to Ly-Lich, an older earth dragon and regular at the shrine.

Afterwards Atash made his way to the mess hall to wait for breakfast. The sun was peaking it's warm head up from behind the Silver Mountains, basking the Temple grounds in a honey gold light. The night's chill was just starting to disperse, leaving the ground in a cool mist. He was almost tempted to go for a second, longer walk, when he spotted Lila sitting alone at the far end of the hall staring absently at the ceiling mural. The fire dragon blinked, Lila was never up this early, but it looked as if she'd been sitting there for a while already.

As Atash made his way through the mess hall towards the purple dragon, the smell of sizzling bacon drifted from the kitchen, and he realised how hungry he was. He sat down next to his friend, and, trying to sound nonchalant, said, "Breakfast smells good this morning."

Lila started at Atash's sudden arrival. She smiled a little, but looked distracted as she replied, "Oh, hi. Sorry, I was thinking... didn't see you. Good morning."

"You excited for the move?"

Lila thought for a moment, "Yeah."

"You're not in the slightest, are you?"

The purple dragon frowned, "Am I that bad of a liar?"

"Yeah."

Lila pretended to pout, but Atash saw a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"So what's got you up so early?"

Atash felt bad as he saw his friends fake disappointment turn real, "I... Just woke up early."

The fire dragon raised an eye ridge.

Lila sighed, "I... Dunno. I've never lived anywhere else. I've barely even left the Temple..." She trailed off.

"Remember when I first came to the Temple?"

"I remember how me and Suishou thought you were a mute for like, two weeks."

Atash chuckled, "I knew no one, and I'd never been away from home."

"And of course the best way to make friends is to say nothing for almost half a month."

"Yeah... I was pretty bad," The fire dragon shook his head, "Regardless, I know exactly how you feel. It stinks, but it gets better."

Lila smiled a little, "Nah, I'm just being a wimp. You had it worse, at least I'm moving with friends."

Before Atash could reply, several of the kitchen staff trotted into the room, carrying platters of food. The fire dragon's stomach growled loudly causing Lila to laugh, leaving Atash unsure of whether he should be embarrassed at the rude sound he'd just made, or happy because his friend was too. He eventually decided on happy, and joined his friend. One of the kitchen staff members gave the two giggling dragons a funny look, which only made them laugh harder. It took several minutes for them to finally stop.

"Oh, gosh," Lila chuckled, "I think I'm crying a little bit."

Atash, pleased with himself for getting the purple dragon out of her slump, started piling his plate with scrambled eggs. Lila soon followed suit. The two ate in silence for a few minutes, both too hungry to bother with much else. After a time Lila asked, "Do you know where Suishou is? She's normally up by now."

Indeed, Suishou was normally awake well before the purple dragon, sometimes even beating the well known early riser, Atash. The two glanced at each other, both wordlessly asking the other if they should go check on their friend. Lila finally said, "She was acting odd yesterday."

"How so?"

"She offered to help me pack..." Lila trailed off, not quite sure how to articulate herself.

Atash almost said something to the effect of 'Wait, she was actually helpful? That is odd.', but thought better of it. He decided instead to say, "How's that odd?"

"I dunno, she was just... quieter than normal. Something was on her mind at least."

Atash thought a moment, "Her family lives Volans, right?"

Lila nodded.

"When was the last time she visited home?"

Lila tilted her head slightly, and was silent a moment, "I don't actually know... It's been a long time. Years, I think."

Atash nodded slightly, "I can only think of once as long as I've attended here. I don't know what her family situation is, but I can't imagine it's all that great if she's only been home once in the past four years."

The two were silent a moment.

"Well," Lila said, "When she visits home, we'll go with her. If anyone's a jerk to her, we'll kick their ass!"

Atash chuckled, "Well, we don't even know if her family's the problem. But if it is... I mean, I'd rather not kick any butts... But I think we should go with her. If nothing else, it'll make her feel better."

Lila took a couple more bites of her eggs, looking quite pleased with her plan. Then without warning she jumped up from her seat and said, "Come on, let's go get her up! Tell her she doesn't have to worry!" And with that she darted towards the door.

"But I can't go in the girls..." But Lila was already gone, "Dorm," Atash finished quietly. Then, when he realised Lila wasn't going to come back, he piled another spoonful of eggs onto his plate.