Asch turned and started toward a grassy knoll in the distance. Just as coldly, he responded, "I have better things to do than invite people to interfere." Well, that certainly said a lot about the state of things.

True to his word, the outcropping wasn't too far off; it appeared safe enough, and they could hide easily from prying eyes. The walk was easy, the grass soft, and the atmosphere pleasant. The only thing wrong with this scene was the awkwardness between the two. One would expect two friends to be chatting animatedly or perhaps explaining some of the landmarks, such as the glowing Fonbelt present in the sky.

Asch offered nothing except his sturdy back and an ever-present hand on his sword.