RP:Hate To See You Go... Love To Watch You Leave

Summary: The death of Pilar and Yozenra has shocked the realm, and as word of their bitter ending reaches the tapered ears of Lanara, she finds solace at The Fallen Star Inn. As she stares into the fire, Daermon enters the room, equally as distraught over the deaths of his two closest friends. The vampire is drunk and belligerant, on a quest to drown his sorrows in an endless supply of whiskey, and as he storms upstairs, the witch is quick to follow. The pair bond over their memories of the recently departed, and Daer's attraction to Lana's sister, Talyara. Coming to common ground before Lana leaves for the evening, Daer jests about a contest in where he'll judge the siblings best physical features.

Lanara sits before the hearth, idly twiddling her thumbs, and staring into the flickering flames. The Fallen Star Inn is rather empty at this time of the night, seeing as it’s nearing the midnight hour, and most of the patrons had headed home or rented one of the rooms upstairs for their slumber. The witch, herself, should have headed home to her betrothed, hours ago, yet here she sat, alone, despite for the barkeep sweeping the floors. Eirik was likely busy with one of his meetings in Denubyrg and probably wouldn’t notice that she hadn’t returned home for the evening. He also, likely, wouldn’t be able to sympathize with what she was feeling at this very moment, as Pilar wasn’t the ex-witch killer’s biggest fan. Lana had found out, only hours before, that Pilar and Yozenra had perished in a house fire, in Chartsend. They were newlyweds, filled with life and love, and now they were nothing more than broken dreams and ash. The minutes tick by, as she listens to the crackling of the fire, and the swooshing of the broom against the floorboards, before the barkeep retreats to his station behind the bar. A tear trickles down her cheek, and she lifts the cloth napkin to dab, yet again, at her eyes. “It’s so unfair…” She whispers, unable to tear her gaze from the flames, as though they held the answers to the untimely death of her friend. Cuthwine approaches Lana, and rests a calloused hand atop her slender shoulder, while his opposite hand offers her a mug of ale. “Life ain’t fair, Lassie. I’m sorry to hear of yer friend. Bah! Fire and water are jest about the worst o’ ways to go. Keep yer pretty head up, alright?” With that, the barkeep leaves Lana to her solace, as she raises the mug to her lips and takes a sip, feeling utterly alone.

Daermon, much like Lanara, had learned of the fate relatively quickly. He'd been bonded to Pilar, having taken the younger vampire into his bloodline. It had been an unpopular decision. Larewen, who Daermon had technically pledged his own loyalty to, did not care for Pilar one bit after the younger vampire had made a few costly mistakes. But that hadn't mattered to Daermon. She had been his friend. His closest and truest of friends for quite some time. She'd been there through all his darker moments of late. And Yozenra...sweet, beautiful Yozenra. She'd been the light of Pilar's life and the older vampire couldn't have been happier for them. But he'd felt the bond snap, like a band under too much strain and it had pulled him to their burning home. He'd been one of the first there, and though he'd looked, he couldn't find his friends anywhere in the extreme blaze. It had left less than ash and so he'd retreated into a bottle. He'd stepped away from his friends and had been bouncing between taverns, moving on as one kicked him out or he overstayed his welcome. And that was how he and Lana found each other. He stumbled down from a room upstairs he'd been renting. He looked a mess, like he'd been sleeping in his clothes and in his hand was an empty whisky bottle. "Damn you Cuthwine. I paid you good gold to keep my room stocked up on whisky so I didn't have to come down here and bother your bloody patrons." he sneered, slurring his words a bit. His eyes were the kind of red that only comes from crying though, and for all his bluster, he was a fragile thing.

Lanara snaps from her flame-filled trance as she hears a familiar voice, and upon turning her head, her chocolate hues lock onto Daermon’s blood-shot eyes. The vampire had been crying, that much was obvious, and from the slur of his words and the empty bottle in his hand, she assumed he was sobering up, getting drunk, or somewhere in between. She knew that Daer was incredibly close with the late Pilar, as the newlyweds took his last name as their own, and as he gave such a touching speech at their wedding. It was the closest thing to kin either of them had, and she knew that this sudden loss had to be hitting him like a brick. Cuthwine, somehow, manages to ignore Daermon’s outburst, as though he hadn’t heard the enraged, yet slurred, complaint. The barkeep hums, loudly, to drown out the man’s voice, and proceeds to polish some drinking glasses, which were neatly arranged upon the shelf at the back of the bar. Lana’s tapered ears had managed to catch each slurred word, and she finds herself lowering her drink and rising to her feet, sorrow in her gaze, as she wordlessly closes the distance between them, and pulls Daer into a gentle hug. Slender arms wrap around his torso, and she rests her head upon his chest, as he’s a good head taller, and this was the best that she could manage. “I’m so sorry for you loss.” Those six words would speak volumes, as she speaks of more than what currently has the man in such a state. She knew that he had lost Brennia to the darkness in Schezerade, before Raven had taken over her body. The rumors were circulating wildly about recent happenings at the university, but she hadn’t been back to check and see what was and was not the truth. And then, the death of Pilar and Yozenra had struck mere weeks after that incident. Lana’s fingertips splay on the middle of his back, and she gently rubs against the fabric of his shirt, attempting to offer what little comfort she can. She doesn’t utter a single syllable more, as there are no words that can begin to ease the multitude of emotions that were coursing through the distraught vampire. She had never seen Daer without a smile upon his lips, or that mischievous twinkle in his gaze, and her heart breaks for the man.

Daermon hadn't yet noticed Lana, which was perhaps a first for the beautiful elf and the vampire. He might have been actively chasing her sister, but he could still appreciate her beauty, though not this day, not yet. As she moved to him and draped him in a hug, saying those words, he froze. It had been the first friendly contact that he'd had since he'd heard the news and it threatened to shatter him. "I..I.." he starts and stops. "Thank you." he manages, breathing fast and hard and she'd see too that he was struggling through the anger stage of grief. Perhaps that's why he'd secluded himself from his friends and those close? Hopefully Lana wouldn't take it personal...and maybe she'd see that he needed someone and insist, for his next movements were to pull away. He glared at Cuthwine. "What am I paying you for then?" he snarls, seeming to have forgotten the likely shocked Lanara as he reached over and plucked a bottle of whisky from behind the bar. "Add it to my bloody tab." Which was getting high. He'd been here so far the longest. He hurled the empty bottle into the hearth, cracking the new one open and taking a long drink as he staggered back towards the rooms.

Lanara narrows her eyes on Daermon as he breaks from the embrace and snatches a bottle from the shelf. The sound of glass crashing could be heard from upstairs, and someone on the floor above angrily stomps their feet, as they’ve been woken from their slumber. Cuthwine lowers his head to the floor, though he doesn’t react to the vampire’s sudden outburst. Even he knew that Daer was hurting, and he didn’t have the heart to step in. The elf, however, plants her hand on her hips, purses her lips, and scowls as Daer turns towards the stairs. He was really going to just ignore her and drown his emotions in liquor?! Lana stomps up the steps after him, and as he aims to slam the door to his room, she quickly slips in, before the wood smashes against the hinges. Her arm snakes out and she grabs him by the forearm, aiming to wrench the whiskey from his grasp. “What the hell is wrong with you!? Quit acting like such a jackass! Pilar and Yozenra would –not- want you to be mourning them in this fashion! Haven’t you ever heard of living? They can’t live, so you must! Hold their memory in your mind, the love you had for them in your heart, and speak of them as though they are in the next room. Daer… By getting drunk, and wallowing in a rented room… You aren’t helping anyone. So snap out of it!” To further emphasize her point, she pulls on the bottle, and rests it on the end table, before her expression softens and she gently takes the vampire’s hand in her own, leading him to the bed. “Sit down. I want to talk. Okay? Let’s just talk for a little bit, about our best memories of Pilar and Yozenra… And then I’ll go.” Lana’s eyes well with tears, though she doesn’t let them fall, as she gives his hand a squeeze, and sits at the edge of his bed.

Daermon had not expected such tenacity from the beautiful elf. He had indeed intented to slam the door in her face, but she slipped past, then was wrestling the bottle from him. They both knew, deep down, that she wouldn't get it unless he wanted and seeing that she was trying so very hard, he let her have it. He gave a soft sigh, letting her lead him and following her to the bed. He sat beside her, then found her eyes. Her tears smoothed his anger, but didn't erase it. "Lanara...pardon me for saying so, but...you don't really know me well enough to tell me what they want." he says softly. "We had a fun time dancing, and then, between all that happened after, we haven't spoken hardly again. So excuse me for hurting and being in pain coping with it in the way I know how." he found her gaze with his eyes, and raised a hand to brush away her tears. "However, if you are insistent on staying, then I insist you join me for a drink." he tells her, finally giving her a slight smile. "And then, I will talk to you about Yozenra and Pilar."

Lanara feels her cheeks flush as he brings up their ‘dancing’ and she immediately diverts her gaze, recalling the kiss and the close contact they had shared on the beach. She also, stopped offering her ‘romance and dance’ class after their near-sexual encounter. It wasn’t right to mix business with pleasure, and she considered Brennia a dear friend. It also didn’t erase the sensual nature of the vampire sitting beside her on the bed, so as he lifts his hand to dry away her tears, she swats at his hand, her eyes narrowing on his face. “Daer. You are not a man that’s very hard to figure out. You love with your whole heart. You can play the part of independent, badass, vampire all you want. We both know you are a softie. You’re hurt. You’re hating the world. And you think to find your solace in the bottom of the glass.” Her gaze returns to his piercing blue hues and she sighs, running her fingers through her long locks, before twirling the tips of her hair around her fingers. “I’ll have –one- drink with you… Half-way through our talk about them… Deal?” She knew to get, she’d have to give a little, and if she was willing to bend, her bet was that he would bend, as well. Lana’s expression softens as she sniffles, and crosses her legs. “Have you seen my sister lately? Taly is better with the empathy than I am, but right now… I am all you’ve got. So tell me. What happened? Was it an accident? Arson? What do you know about the incident surrounding Pilar and Yozenra’s death?” They’d reminisce in time, for now, she wanted facts. If someone was to blame, she’d make sure to give karma a nudge.

It was his turn to turn a bit steely eyed as she swats his hand away. "I won't touch you, if that is an issue, but don't forget that technically you started it. It was a platonic touch, Lana. You're a beautiful woman, but I am interested in your sister. As for seeing her...I haven't since the day after the ball." he admits. "I got the news right after and haven't been able to break myself out of this enough to go see her." he admits, looking down at his hands. "Yes, I'm hurt. Yes, I love with all my heart. After the mess with Brennia..." he scowled, took a breath and stopped, showing a glint of his anger for that situation as well. His voice became flat as he spoke, emotionless, another mask to hind behind. "Supposedly it's an accident. Or that's what everyone is Chartsend is telling me. But then...I'm not sure how a home accidentally burns so fast and bright that a vampire can't escape." he says. He reached over, picking up the whiskey and took a long pull from the neck, provided Lana didn't interfere. Yes, they'd shared a very personal, amazing dance, back before his and Bren's mess had been started or sorted. But then, the vampire was known to have rather broad views of the sexual nature. Not that he'd intended that with Lanara. Nor especially now as he was actively attempting to court her sister. This was the first time he and Lana had spent any time alone since that first time and it was a bit more intimate than a private beach, being in his room. Perhaps the pair would discover a deeper friendship out of it.

Lanara didn’t have any qualms about a friend drying her tears. No, her issue lay in the fact that he had reached out to provide comfort, -after- bringing up his spicy dance lesson, on his bed, in a private room above the Inn. She may have misread his intentions, but she knew that liquor mixed with sadness often led to a bad ending. One which she wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. She was engaged to Eirik. Had he known she was offering comfort, to a vampire no less, it would end badly for Daermon. Her lycan wasn’t exactly cuddly with eligible bachelors that looked upon his elf with desire in their eyes. Not that anyone could entirely blame a man. Lana was a stunning woman, and she had Lithrydel’s finest derriere. But the woman was often difficult, had a tumultuous past, and was oblivious to the effect her beauty had upon others. So, as Daer offers up an explanation, her lips curve into a frown, and she shakes her head. “It’s fine. I know you didn’t mean anything by it, Daer. I just am an engaged woman, now, and I know that you have a flirty nature.” A beat. “Don’t tell Talyara I’m engaged. She will find out in a few weeks at this fun day I have planned for us. I just want the timing to be right. And… Did you just say you are ‘interested’ in my little sister?!” At this, she watches him take a pull from the bottle, and she reaches out, needing a drink, herself. Pressing her full lips to the spout, she takes a large gulp of the amber liquid, her chocolate hues glued to Daer’s face as he describes the accident. Swallowing, she dries her lips with the sleeve of her shirt, and sighs. “I don’t understand it, either… I’m told that their bodies weren’t found… Was there a search party?”

Daermon would have been quite unconcerned with Eirik or anything he thought about things. And Lana, bless her, had nothing to worry about from him. Certainly wouldn't do well to attempt to do anything with one sister while courting another. But that was neither here nor there. The moment passed and the vampire decided to keep himself to himself. "I won't tell her." he says, tipping back a bit more drink once he got it back from Lana, or took it back, whichever happened first. "And yes, I did say I was interested in your sister. Surely you must have noticed how much time we've been spending together?" he asks, questioning. He gave an easy shrug. "I like her. She's fun and kind. Beautiful." Another shrug, then a soft frown, eyes blazing hot for a moment. "Of course there was a search. I couldn't find anything unusual about the situation. Not a damn thing. Which frankly is unusual in itself. But..." then the sadness came flooding back, full and raw and real, only held off for moments by his anger. "The bond I had with Pilar snapped. It broke. That shouldn't be possible, short of death." he says in a hopeless tone.

Lanara watches Daermon’s face closely as he speaks of her sister, looking for cues to see if he was being sincere or if she were to just be another notch upon his belt. She knew of his history, hell, she had almost been a part of it! It wasn’t her place to judge his interest in a beautiful elf, though it was her place to look out for her sibling. Clearing her throat, she passes the bottle back to the vampire, and toys with the tips of her long locks. “I only ask that you are always honest with Taly. She has a fragile heart and she’s been through a lot, her entire life. I ask that you are honest about your intentions, should they be a casual affair, or something long-term. I know you have quite a womanizing reputation, and I’m not judging you on that, as I do think there’s more to you than your lust. However, I’m fiercely protective of my little sister. So know that a mark against her, in any way, is a mark against me, as well.” Lana doesn’t comment any further, nor does she sugar coat her threat. If he abided by the terms of honesty, she wouldn’t hold him at fault, should something go awry betwixt her sister and the vampire. Sensing the anger in his next statement, she feels her eyes brim with tears, and she shakes her head. “Another good soul has left this realm… I’m sorry, Daer. I know what they meant to you… “ A pause. “Tell me. How did you ever end up meeting the pair?” Perhaps turning the conversation to happier times would give the male some comfort. After all, she was here as a friend, and she hated to see anyone hurting.

Daermon's face was earnest, but then, he was schooled in showing whatever he wanted the world to see. His face was always a mask. The million little things that humans or mortals take for granted that he has to mimic to fit in, because death is frightening and the stillness unsettles people. Yet, she might feel that he was sincere in this. "I will be honest. I have always been nothing but honest with those I've been with. And perhaps you don't judge, but I can see a bit of condemnation in your eyes. And that's fine. Most have that. But where I am from, sex was not a thing hoarded, or spoken of in hushed whispers. It was a joyous thing and a normal thing to have sex with anyone who wanted to with you. So yes, I have indulged, but I never lie or cheat to do it. And I am looking to try something different. One woman, one relationship. I don't know if it will work...and I don't know if it will be with Taly. But I promise that I will do the very best I can to not hurt her. I care for her already. As a friend and a bit more...but that is for her to decide if I'm worth trying with." he says, and again, a sad little smile graced his face. "Thank you Lanara. Truly. I'm not sure that you and I are friends...but if we weren't, then this, you being here, makes us friends." he says, finding her eyes and her hand to squeeze. "I met Pilar when she was new to this land and still seeking to be of Larewen's blood." he explains. "Though Larewen was always busy doing this or that, so the young fledgling fell under my supervision, then, my care. I took her into my bloodline instead and taught her much of what being a vampire was. Her creator had sired her by accident it turned out and thus, had left her alone to fend for herself. Like any child, a new vampire doesn't have the skills to survive alone...usually." he admits.

Lanara locks her gaze onto Daermon’s cerulean hues, and she sighs, albeit softly. She says nothing about whether or not her sister will give him a chance, for she didn’t know that they had developed such a close bond. Either way, she wouldn’t influence Daer or Taly’s decision. When it came to matters of the heart, it was best to sit back and let it unfold as it should, much as she had done with her lycan. Most would have dubbed him a ruthless witch killer, and not have given him a second glance, let alone a first date. But this little witch had given him her heart, along with her hand in marriage, should that day ever come to fruition. Second chances were what made the world spin in its circular fashion, and she wouldn’t test fate, she merely hoped that neither her sister or her vampire friend would end up with a broken heart. Folding her hands over her lap, she listens intently as Daermon talks about how he came to know of Pilar, and how he became like an older brother, and mentor to the young vampire. A smile graces Lana’s lips, as she softly replies, “You were good to her, and she was lucky to have someone that cared enough to show her the ways of your kind… I met Pilar at the hot springs, in Frostmaw. I had invented this game, and we all were splashing around in the pool. Talyara was there with Linn. Artia came along, and the two of us were competing to see who was sexiest in our bathing suits! And there was this strange dragon fellow… Savio? I think that was his name. Anyway, he had an exposed rib. A freakish abnormality. And poor Pilar turned so pale and she panicked and left! It was so funny… After that, we became friends. Though we didn’t see each other all that much over the years, as most of my time was spent between Sage Forest and Frostmaw…” Lana pauses, thinking of the last time she had spoken with the vampiress, and her eyes shine with moisture. Pilar had agreed to give Eirik a second chance, and she had surprisingly been accepting of their engagement. And now she was gone.

It was Daermon's turn to listen as she spoke. He smiled, then let out a soft laugh at the sound. "You." he says when she's done, then, clarifies. "You are sexier than Artia. So I can only imagine that you are sexier in a bikini." He says, "Pilar was a timid sort at first. Very timid. But she had a kind heart. Unfortunately it didn't always steer her in the right way." he says, smiling sadly as he looked at his lap, the folded hands there. "Yozenra was a perfect compliment to Pilar. Bold where Pilar was timid. I knew they were going to be a thing before they did." he says, that same wistful smile. "When they told me they were getting married and Pilar asked me to be her man of honor, they actually fought about it, playfully, about who would get to have me stand on their side. Pilar won because she of course had known me longer." His voice cracked a bit at the end as his eyes welled with tears, though he was managing just to not actually cry.

Lanara laughs as he casts his vote on who he thinks is the sexier of the two witches, and she can’t help but roll her eyes. Despite her smoldering gaze, flawless physique, and the face of an angel, the elf truly didn’t find herself all that attractive. She worked hard to keep her figure, and she believed beauty to be nothing more than skin deep. Though, the compliment is noted, and a faint blush appears on her high cheekbones. “Thank you, Daer. Out of all the vampire’s in the land, you would get my vote, as well. Though… I would prefer –not- to see a bunch of men in bikinis!” She gives him a gentle nudge, hoping to lighten the mood, though as he mentions being the best man for both women at the wedding, she lowers her head. That crackling of his voice causes her to wince, as she knew he was going through all of the emotions of grief. He had lost someone important to him, and she could relate, all too well. Taking his free hand, she gives it a gentle squeeze, as he sips from the bottle, and she catches his gaze. “Okay. So full disclosure. I was petrified at the wedding. I had only heard of Yozenra, but I never actually met her before that day! And I literally wanted to run screaming and crying when I saw that she was a naga. But… I contained myself and the next day we met up for lunch, and I gave them their wedding gift. Yozenra’s appearance unnerved me, as she was related to a snake, but she had a kind heart. And she’s the only naga that I have been in the presence of, and felt safe. I’m glad that I overcame my fear and had fun at the wedding. Only Pilar could have given me that strength. They truly were a perfect pair.”

Daermon grins a bit wider. "Men in bikinis is never a good thing. Although, I bet I could pull one off." he muses. He didn't know the real Lana, this being one of the few times they'd been around each other. But if she gave him a chance, he'd love to get to know her. And while he could flirt, and compliment, he would do nothing serious. Not since he was actively courting her sister. "Only the vampire's? I must be getting soft then." he teases her, smiling and giving a nod at the compliment. As she took his cool hand, he squeezed back, happy to have the contact. "You don't like snakes?" he asks. "And that is very brave of you. I'm glad you stayed for the wedding too, and that you overcame your fear to learn a bit about Yozenra. She really was wonderful. Her abs were almost as hard as mine." he says, smiling. "We once had an ab off which was hilarious and had Pilar blushing furiously. It was before they were an item."

Lanara squints, as though she were trying to picture Daermon in a barely-there bra, and bikini bottoms, before she finds a faint giggle passing her lips. If the vampire truly took the time to know the witch, he’d notice the similarities between the sisters, as they both had quite a sense of humor, and were prone to being overcome with giggles. Aside from that, they were very much different, as Lana was an inch taller, her hair was several inches longer, and she had captivating chocolate hues. Taly was a shade paler in skin tone, her hair was often untamed, and her eyes were mesmerizing orbs of emerald. Lana looked to be about a year or two older, though elves were notorious for not showing any signs of physically aging, and though she was the elder sister, she lacked the maturity that Taly possessed. In some ways they were exact opposites, and in other instances, they couldn’t be more alike! One thing is for sure, that they have big hearts, and a charming demeanor, should they take a liking to you. Lana finds that her mistrust is somewhat wavering towards the male, as he speaks of the late Pilar and Yozenra, and her smile is genuine as he reminisces about comparing their abs. “Poor Pilar! She was notorious for blushing when she was uncomfortable! And I’m sure you and Yozenra didn’t take it easy on her!” A beat. “And here I thought Taly and I were the only ones to compare our body parts… She has the better bosom, and I have the better derriere. At least, that was the conclusion we came to, though I can’t say we’ll model for you.” She gives the man a bemused smirk, her eyes full of mischief, before she rises to her feet. Giving his hand a final squeeze she points to the half-empty bottle of liquor. “That’s the last one for the night. Okay? I know you’re hurting, and you should take all the time you need to grieve… But know that there’s still good in the realm, and that you have friends that care. I have to head home now, but I’ll be seeing you?”

Daermon smiled back as they spoke, as they grew more used to each other. He'd of course noticed the differences in the sisters, what he'd observed at least. And if he'd known that Lana was warming, her mistrust slowly melting, he would have been pleased. He knew keener than any his reputation. He felt it was mostly unearned. He came from a land where sex was common, not taboo. So to him, when someone wanted to sleep together, it was natural. Now sure, if you were in a relationship, you could choose as partners to not sleep around, and he'd done that before as well in these lands and his home. But Taly was not sought because she was to be a notch in a bed post or belt. She was sought because he genuinely cared for her. If she chose to stay as friends, he'd accept it and move on. It was really very simple. As she tells him of the sister's comparing body parts, he can only smile a bit wider, imagining it much as she had. Who hasn't thought of sisters in that light? When she tells him that is his last drink for the night, he slowly rises to his feet. "On two conditions." he says, though his voice was playful, showing that his conditions were not serious. "First, you must consider comparing for me with Taly. You two need an impartial judge..." he says, barely keeping his smile. "And second...only if you walk very slowly towards and out the door." the better to watching her hip swaying booty of course, though he didn't say. If she couldn't figure it out, then she wasn't paying attention."And thank you. For this. For everything. You helped. And I think this will be my last night indulging so. As for seeing me...I am always around. If you can handle a bit of friendly flirting, and maybe some over familiar hand or what have you touching, you will have no problem finding me." he says, dipping his eyes to her in thanks. She'd seen a bit of the real him, the one past the mask of the flirt and that meant a great deal to him. Not many made it past that mask.

Lanara waits to hear the terms, a quizzical look on her fair face, as she purses her lips and studies Daermon. Upon hearing that he desires to judge the sister’s assets, has her bursting into a fit of giggles, and she merely shakes her head. Eirik wouldn’t approve, even if it was all in good fun. Not to mention the fact that Talyara had low self-esteem and would be too shy to pose for the vampire, despite his affections towards the elf. But she could let him dream, couldn’t she? Being her good natured self, she eyes the bottle of whiskey, and merely wrinkles her nose, her cheeks turning red. “Alright. But you have to be unbiased!” Another giggle ensues, before she turns to walk away, not fully understanding why she had to slow her pace. Was there a loose floorboard that she’d missed on her way into the room? She saunters over to the door, the delicate switch of her slender hips causing that legendary rear to sway from side to side, when she puts the pieces together. That pervert! Lana snorts, stifling the urge to crack up again, as her hand closes around the knob, and she steps out of the room. “Be seeing you, Daer.” She mutters, her fingers wiggling in a parting wave, as the door is closed and she heads back to Denubyrg.