Location: Lux Cantatio, Deep, Sinis

Abbyline watches Xander demonstrate the game. She seems interested and takes the tablet, but is interrupted by Azandra clearing her throat. "Perhaps we'll have time for games later, but for now I believe there's something else to discuss."
Of course. How could she have - Abbyline gives the tablet back to Xander without a hint of regret, walking back around to Reylan. Azandra puts a hand on her shoulder, however, stopping her when the two are beside each other. She looks down at the girl, unsmiling. "Would you like to come back to Pax with me, to keep a lonely mother company?"
Of course Abbyline does. But she hides her initial excitement, looking up at Azandra with wide eyes. "Why are you lonely? I thought you had a wife... and daughters. Did... something happen to them?" She looks worried.
Azandra sighs. What can she say to this?

    The smile is still warm and delighted, and Lys turns his attention back to his guests as Xander resumes his game.
    "By all means, of course!  A student's studies are theirs to determine, so if she feels that she is able to pause in her work and resume it later then that is her decision.  Her room and possessions will be kept as they are during her absence, so she may be able to pick up right where she left off upon her return."  The smile shifts to Abby as he holds his tea in both hands.  "Well?  If you desire to depart for a time that is your decision to make.  No one can force you to leave if you are unwilling."

Reylan smiles to Lys's answer. "Excellent." At least Abby's studies won't be harmed by this. But Abbyline's answer gives Reylan some mixed feelings. His daughter is intelligent, sure. But could this mean Azandra will take both of his and Phoebe's children? What if Abbyline will wish to stay with the princess? "I believe it is set, then. Abbyline will go to Pax with the princess," he replies regardless of his personal thoughts.

  Abbyline beams at Lys. "Thank you; you've been too kind. If I could go back and take some of my practice books with me, to look over while I'm gone, would that be okay?" She turns to Azandra. "Do you have a music room?"
  Azandra nods, smiling at her with an uncharacteristic softness. "Of course I do. Originally, it was made for me to use in my singing. You might have noticed that I used to be a student here."
  "I did! And from what I hear, you were one of the best." This isn't exactly true, but Abbyline can see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice, the way she talks about it. The way Lys seems to almost be proud of her, despite her standing as a rising Sinian leader.
  "I am," is all Azandra says, looking at Abbyline softly.

    "By all means, bring anything that you think you will require," Lys replies, finishing his tea, "if there is anything that you cannot carry yourself inform the staff and we will assist you with bringing it to your mode of transportation or ship it to your destination. If you desire it, Abbyline, your companions are free to join you in obtaining your belongings.  And I am certain that you will be interested in how things have changed yet remained the same, Azandra, and I hope that this is a place of fond memories and experiences for you.  Ah, it is good to see the descendants of my companions doing so well for themselves.  I never desired children, but I happily live vicariously through the success of theirs and love them as I would my own."  His smile fades as he stares into his cup, once more holding it in both hands.  "Aevra, my dearest friend, you did not deserve the end that befell you."  Xander looks up from his tablet and smirks.
    "You know she was interested.  You two could have populated a city together."  Lys glares at him sharply, making a slashing gesture with one hand.
    "Do not ever speak of her like that!  She was my dearest friend and I would never suggest something so vulgar.  I desired friends, not lovers or a family.  ...But I have outlived them all, or been betrayed.  Never again..."  He speaks the last part almost too quietly to hear.  The smile is gone now, and one can see the weight of millennia resting on his shoulders, his hands shaking as he grips the cup tightly.  Xander is uncharacteristically concerned, caught between giving him space and going to him.  Abruptly, Lys remembers that he and Xander are not alone and turns as red as his hair.  He clears his throat and adjusts his glasses.
    "Ah!  I-  My apologies, forgive me.  I do tend to ramble on, think nothing of it."  He smiles again, but it is colored by sadness, despite the mask of hospitality he wears.

    Once again setting the tablet face-down on the table, Xander gets up and approaches Lys, despite the glare that he other man levels at him, and puts a hand on his wrist.
    "Hey, sorry, I shouldn't have said that.  I remember what you two meant to each other, she was a good person."  Lys doesn't answer immediately, but finally nods and flashes a small smile.  Squeezing Lys's hand, Xander walks around the desk to the doors.  Lys adjusts his glasses again and addresses his guests.
    "It was good to see you again, Azandra, I hope that your work advances as your vision demands, and that Abbyline is able to help you achieve your dream.  You always did dream so big, and so few truly appreciate it."

    Lys's smile is warm and welcoming once more, and he bows to his guests.
    "My sincere thanks, and I am pleased to have met you as well, Reylan.  Please, if there is something concerning your daughter, do not hesitate to contact me at any time."  Xander opens the door, trying to look bored and indifferent, but unable to hide a small grin at his companion's courtesy.

    Xander's grin is polite but fanged, and something about it is completely infuriating, yet there's no way to call him out on it without looking petty or foolish.  Lys returns the hug, and upon straightening, taps the side of his head as he sighs.
    "By the AllSong, I am growing daft in my old age.  I very nearly forgot.  You are leaving so quickly that it's possible that you might forget something.  Here, let me give you a way to reach us if you do."  He walks around to the other side of his desk, opens a drawer, removes a pad of paper with a letterhead on it, and writes swiftly but legibly.  He returns and hands it to her, pressing into her hand under it a small item that he had palmed when reaching into his desk: an enameled pin in the shape of a flame, with a small slip of paper that simply reads: "Moths are not the only ones drawn to a flame. Speak the name of my dearest friend and birds will sing your song."

Abby looks up at Lys quizzically, not quite sure how to use the gift she's been handed. She doesn't have a pocket, but the pin is concealable enough, and she slips it into one of her socks. "Thank you, Headmaster."
Azandra observes the girl's leg go up, (6) and her hand slip something into her sock. She'll have to ask her about that later. But for now, she keeps silent about that. "Yes; thank you, Lys." Obviously he'd given it to Abby and not Azandra for a reason. She won't touch it with them here. Just like she won't touch the girl while they're in sight.