Mansion In a Maze

Svalin looked at Cas and bit her lip, unsure. She was terrified, but this would be good for her. She looked at Cas and dropped the blanket, because it emwas better. She instantly felt scared but did not freak out.

Cas smiled when she dropped the blanket and gestured to the group of people out front. She would wait for Svalin to let her now when she was ready to head outside, rather than making the girl go forward before she was ready.

"Whenever you are ready hon."

Svalin forced a faint smile. She started trusting this girl, this person who has been trying to make her feel more comfortable around and she really started seeing Cas as a friend. Svalin took the hand of Cas and held it tight and nodded, ready again, taking deep breaths and staying calm.

When Svalin took her hand she was a little shocked but had sort of expected it. She smiled again and walked slowly out to stand with the rest of them, keeping an eye on the girl behind her and Started heading into the maze, following the members of the group who had already entered. She walked at a pace that was easy to keep for Svalin and kept a trained eye on those in front of her. Cas started to absentmindedly chew on her thumb, cutting the skin and cringing at the sharp taste of blood. She just did not want to be lost in the damn annoying bushes.

Miho stands waiting for someone to lead the way. She's concerned that everyone here is just visiting. "If everyone here is just visiting, then who owns this place? Who brought us here? How did I get here?" All of her thoughts go back to one statement made earlier, Who remembers dying?" Miho clutches at her top again, feels her skin and runs her fingers through her hair, everything is fine, "That woman is either crazy or loves to cause trouble." She turns around and checks herself in her reflection. She looks fine, but there's only one way to be sure, she begins fingering her tie. "I could just take a peek and see if there are any marks on my..." her attention is diverted to the person in the blanket running into the house. "Why bother? These people are crazy. I'm fine."

Vane took a moment to look at Bo, her speech patterns were slowly becoming more and more normal around him. He could not pin whether it was her control of her fear growing, or simply the fact that she was getting used to him. "Ohh, french dishes.. Huh?" Vane continued, falling rather silent. He was getting too acquainted, though he liked the thought of having a friend, it was the problem of if he deserved on or not. But then again, to deprive someone deserving of a friend may as well create the same agony.

His eyes soon would pass over the extra followers behind them. Of course questions would come to his mind, much like the one of how they ended up here as well. If they looked down upon life much like himself, or simply continued to live it like Bo. The girl he did could not confirm exactly must have been the one carrying the blanket. As for her physical appearance, he was not the one with a standing to judge anymore. Together with the one beside her, they must have been continuing life after all. Vane smiled lightly before looking back to the member with the map. It seemed that those around him were people that did not deserve to lose their life, if that is how this place worked. It was these type of people that he used to hurt by simply living on.

"Hey Bo..." He spoke quietly, not even checking to see if she would respond. "I think you will get along with the others. Especially if you know how to cook delicious meals." If only he contained something notable that was worthwhile for other people. A skill that could be used for charity rather than the money he no longer holds. He proclaimed himself as talented, and yet he could not think of anything that could be used to benefit others. "So keep trying hard alright?" Giving a short smile, he looked down towards the red haired girl.

Bo was happily walking along next to Vane. To her own surprise her stuttering began to calm down. The only reason why could be pinned on Vane. Bo was not one to make friends right away but it had been years sense she'd made even a good acquaintance Vane was the first she'd become slightly close to... And with a smile on her face she noticed she was slowly able to talk to him more like a person... Though she knew that would change soon as she felt even the slightest bit of nervousness or fear

Bo blinked upon hearing Vane say her name. He spoke in a tone she'd heard before. It was the tone someone used when in there own way they unworthy and selfish to be around a person... so they would try and tell them they would be fine around others with others. She knew that tone... She knew it all to well from the only boy she'd ever dated. She narrowed her eyes and for once the wild girls face and emotions dropped. Dropped into something darker. "No... No... I-I won't..." She closed her eyes and looked up at Vane her gaze for once not kind or scared simply frozen in a form of pain and coldness. "I-I'm weird... V-Vane... e-even i-if they l-like me f-for a cute t-tasty lie... I-It won't be o-ok...I know... I-I know." She lowered her eyes and pain shot through her memories and heart.

They continued walking in silence when this time Bo was the one to whisper. "Y-Your... one o-of those p-people." She rubbed her arms. "T-The t-type who a-are scared t-to stay close... Y-You want too... b-but you feel you d-don't deserve t-too." She smiled grimly. "I-I know you a-are... I-I knew someone v-very much like y-you... He... h-he made m-me like that too... a-among... other.. things." She hugged herself at the memories of bruises and tears. Of blankness, anger and her own self hatred. The one that simply made it so easy for her to call herself weird... To use that as her own excuse to keep away from others. "I-It's... ok to be a little s-selfish... s-so long... a-as its for... t-the right t-thing." She smiled remembering the day her eldest brother said that when he'd left for college and she'd clung to his leg crying screaming she knew it was selfish but she'd not let go.

So there was even an off switch for one as bright as Bo. Darkness, and regret had to nestle everywhere at all, and he was slightly happy to see he did not suffer it alone. But at the same time, her words came to irk him. Why, he could not tell. Perhaps it was the fact she was reverting to that scattered speech pattern, perhaps it was the fact that he was being compared to another, or maybe it was simply the acknowledgment of how wrong he was since first meeting this girl. Continuously he misreads others, this life and the past.

At the mention of selfishness, a hidden smirk couldn't help but develop. Quickly leaning down near her head he spoke," Then we may have a problem. I am extremely selfish, Bo, not just a little." He was getting used to using excuses to get what he wanted. Tricking himself, saying that he did not deserve attention all while only gaining attention on him. "And you're right, I am scared. But even more so, I am too selfish to simply let go due to mere feelings." Raising himself back to proper posture, he continued to talk in a hushed voice. "Besides, you said you placed some faith in me, didn't you? It kind of stings if you so easily turn your back and try to analyze me, even if I do the same."

Really, he found this side of the girl distasteful. But if he thought about it, this itself was probably thanks to his own selfishness once again. He wanted to be the only one to have such expressions, lost in a state that avoid the light. "Even if you already forgot. I still have our promise to uphold. Never to lie when you are involved. For one, I will remain your friend, even if you don't want me too. I am just selfish that way." Vane lifted his pinky, looking at it himself with a mental chuckle. To think the social life he wanted in the past would become so annoying so quickly, and only arrive when he didn't want it. "And second, if I say I think you can do something, I don't want you to shrug it off as some lie even if it takes time to achieve. If it were so, I would not have bothered saying anything and instead kept it to myself with uncertainty." To say such things, he could not help but feel like the situation itself was calling him a hypocrite. From the beginning he did not place much faith in her words, and he constantly analyzed her over and over again. "Really, really, such a hypocrite.. I don't even know what I am going on about.."

Bo blinked at Vane. "J-Just because I t-trust you... a-and put s-some faith i-in you... d-doesn't mean I w-wont analyze you... I-I have too... I-I have b-been hurt to m-many times w-when I don't...I-its a p-precaution...P-Please don't be... o-offended." At the thought of how she might have hurt Vane's feelings she lowered her head and hid her gaze fighting back to urge to insult herself at the thought of how she might have just done what she always seemed to do... ruin what could have been a friendship...

"If... if your allot s-selfish... t-that m-means h-half m-must be for g-good t-things... t-the other... b-bad." She rubbed her arms and continued walking. She allowed Vane to talk but did not answer she simply thought for awhile as they continued walking. "I-I'm not... b-breaking our p-promise..." She smiled and lifted her head slowly to look at Vane. "I'm j-just being selfish... c-cause I o-only w-wanna talk t-too you..." She smiled a little more. "Y-your l-like me a-a little c-cause y-you were l-lonely... T-that makes m-me feel comfortable... a-and... I-I really w-wanna braid your h-hair... S-so I-i'm h-hanging a-around for that a-as well." She let out a rare giggle showing that hair part really wasn't a reason for her to stay... But a reason for them to both laugh.

Vane laughed lightly, "So it was because of my hair huh? I should have guessed.." For a reason he could not understand, it seemed whatever he said actually did make the mood change back to normal. At this point in time, he really couldn't hold anything against anyone that chose to hold some level of mistrust, after all they were all complete strangers. It was wise to protect yourself while steadily reaching outwards to see who one can trust. Watching the one with the map, he remained in pace. But the small grumbles in his stomach suggested that this trip would not end as everyone had hoped.

Time Skip

Laying silently on the bed he woke upon this morning, Vane draped an arm over his eyes without any deep thoughts passing through his head. His room door had been left wide open, as he did not really care to cut himself off into privacy at the moment. All of the walking they did in the maze wore him out a good amount, and his craving for food only grew with the steps. Eventually, the group fell to their needs and had to turn back. The maze was seriously too large and complicated. With it becoming more complex the further they went it, it was no surprise that they could not clear it on day one.

"I wonder if there is actually a kitchen here... I am starving.." Vane spoke to himself, not really bothering to even budge in accordance with his words. Back then a few hands would have already checked with him, if he didn't feel like leaving the bed, they would simply bring the food to him. It was a spoiled, but sweet life after all.

Bo woke up in her bed and yawned. She'd fallen asleep shortly after the group got back from there maze dive. She stood slowly and made her way downstairs... To find everything creepy and dark. She frowned and switched on a few lights before maneuvering her way around until she found a large kitchen. Despite the classic old fashion way the house appeared the utilities were all modern there was even a heating system... Not that the house needed it. This place seemed trapped in a state of summer time even now the open window in the kitchen let in a warm friendly breeze. The kitchen was large and painted cream. There was a door to the left leading outside behind the mansion where there seemed to be some other flowers aside roses and a pool.

Bo smiled to herself and began to fish around the large kitchen and found that... It seemed to have everything from fresh meat and veggies to canned goods. Bo smiled and set to work on cooking trying to take into account the amount of food she would need for the group of people. Not before long the smell of fresh pasta and chicken and sauce filled the air. Bo had prepared the tomato sauce herself but she'd made an alternative white sauce in case. Soon she had plates decorated with fresh pasta topped with one of the two sauces and chicken mixed into the sauce. She also found Parmesan which she had generously applied to each and every plate. She set the plates out in the open for whomever was hungry and on a piece of paper wrote: "Please enjoy the food and try to eat it all." - Bo. After that she quickly cleaned the kitchen grabbed a plate with tomato sauce pasta chicken and the most amount of cheese and slipped outside into the night in order to enjoy her meal.

Outside she found a spot behind the large mansion and sat down in the soft green grass. She folded her legs and without a moment of hesitation began to wolf down her food. She slurped the noodles and hungrily ate away pausing in between bites to take a moment or two to appreciate the beauty of the place around her. There was a gate surrounding the property and just beyond the tiring maze. But inside the mansion ground Bo was delighted to find others flowers and whole lot of wide open grass along with a pool... Though no trees which did make her slightly sad...

Sitting on the side of his bed, Vane gave up on waiting for something that would never come. The days of ease have come and left already. Now he was in this place surrounded by strangers he had only met this morning. As such, it would probably be up to themselves to get their own rations. Pushing himself up, he would continue on out the room only stopping to close the door behind himself. He would pay no heed to the other doors around him, and he would pay no attention to any figures within the hallway. The failure of the maze, he wondered if it had an effect on those more cheerful around him, wanting the escape. Back then he chose to end it all, thinking he was undeserving of life. But now, his mind was only slightly altered, he deserved to be here, isolated away from the others of the world.

Upon descending the stairs the scent would finally catch up to him, forcing another growl to come from his stomach. It was either someone within the household was simply setting out to prove him wrong, or their little 'employees' had snuck in to set up something else. Entering the kitchen he would look over the plates, and then the note. "Someone is setting out to prove me wrong all right..." He chuckled out, grabbing a plate, "Thanks again Bo." He waved into the empty kitchen, walking out towards the small 'lounge room' as he would call it. It was probably the room that all the voices had come from before, but it was so empty now.

Quietly eating his meal, he stared off towards the doorway closest to the stairs. Bo had made multiple plates, so she was trying at least. But he was pondering if anyone would be awake, and if so, could they smell the food waiting for them? "Perhaps I will grab seconds.. Not like anyone is watching after all." With a smile escaping him, he did not bother to move. It was simply a thought that he allowed to reach the air.

Thomas was tired of trekking through the maze. Roses were pretty, but got too monotonous, at one point. He could hear the red-haired girl and Vane talking in the back, and the conversation was plagued with halts, and words that, out of context, gave him a negative feeling as to their meaning. He didn't judge, though. He had no context of interpersonal relationships. After finally making it back, Thomas fell to his bed, in his room, and began exploring the room. He found a few decks of playing cards. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssss. This was perfect. He exited, following the smell of food until he came to the appetizing plates. Perfect. Today could not get better. He took a random one, and exited to find somewhere nice to sit, finding that outside, behind the mansion was a nice spot. He exited, and sat down a short distance away. He sat down and began to eat the food. After stopping to breathe, he looked around. It was beautiful. Anything was, after the monotonous maze. He also noticed the Red-haired girl a little way away from him, in the same area. It would be nice to go make friends, and she did not seem like someone dangerous, so that was a good thing. She also seemed acquainted with Vane, so it would be wise to be acquainted with her too, to familiarize himself with people he had no idea how much time he would be spending with...Thomas remained rooted to the spot. It was too difficult to get up and initiate social contact, at any level. Although, nothing ventured nothing gained. As much as the thought of socialization made him cringe, Thomas got up and approached the girl. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and Thomas loved to try new things. That thought was more than enough to warrant research. He sat down next to her, and looking off into the distance, spoke.

"Hello....Ummmm...How are you?"

Bo was finishing eating when a voice startled her and half made her choke on food. She coughed and turned to the voice. "O-Oh! ... Umm... w-well... I'm.. g-good." She awkwardly smiled. "And y-you?" She tried to be kind but she felt a little awkward not really knowing his name but she had heard it earlier... "Ummm...w-whats your name? I-I'm sorry I-I never c-caught it earlier... I-It was... Thomas... or... something. R-Right?" She looked at him and noticed he had a plate. "O-Oh...I see y-you found t-the food I m-made d-do you like i-it?" She gave bit of a bolder smile but kept her gaze fixed away so as to even think about how much taller he was compared to her... Of all phobias to have... Why did it have to be one where looking someone in the eye and thinking of how tall they were was enough to make her fall into the apples?

After reading through most of a Shakespear collection Cas looked out the window in her room to see that it was quite dark out. She frowned, not having realised so much time had passed. Earlier she had stayed near Svalin until the other girl got to her room and then with a yawn had left to go to her own. Now though she realised she hadn't gone to sleep like she intended and she was terribly hungry, not having eaten anything that day. She frowned and looked around the room for anythin to tell time. Finding nothing she sighed and stood from the chair with a huge stretch, deciding she might as well go downstairs to find some food.

After walking for a bit she found her way downstairs again and somehow managed to find a bunch of plates, already filled with food. Cas frowned and looked around, wondering what exactly whoever had done this was getting out of it. Maybe they drugged the food? Or maybe they were planning on making everyone full enough to sleepp heavily and then the person would steal? She shook her head, realising none of the belongings in the house most likely didn't belong to any of the "guests". The images from waking up still gave her a shudder but Cas grabbed a plate of random food and walked around, munching on it. She saw some guy sitting down but couldn't remember if he ever gave his name. Probably not. Or if he did, Cas didn't pay much attention.

Deciding to make the most of the silence she grabbed another plate once hers was finished and sat down on a couch. This plate she relaxed and ate it slowly enough that she could taste it and enjoy it.

Silence was such a lonely companion. Vane sat quietly in the room, no thoughts necessarily passing through his mind as he simply waited for nothingness. His empty plate remained on the small table before him, the tad sensation of laziness keeping him from bothering to take it into the kitchen. But soon his boredom would be met with a figure crossing his sight. It was of course one of the girls he had seen earlier, with one of the plates of food. His eyes did not hold contact for long, the awkwardness of even being the one staring in such silence reaching him. It seemed that his little friend's food would not be too horribly wasted on this night.

With the thought of night time, he averted his attention to the closest window, peering for the chance of seeing the stars in the sky. "Strange isn't it?" He spoke out loud, mainly directing the blank conversation towards the girl, not really knowing if she would respond or not. To some this situation may be easier dealt with alone, removing any ties from those around. "I wake up in such a place, far away from everything I knew, and I can still feel calm.. I was a little spooked at first I guess, but it was probably because of the fact that I was still alive." He knew the rambling was probably unwelcomed, as it lead to no where in the end. He simply spoke his mind because he wanted to, without worry of whether the girl listened or not.

"Perhaps it is because I remember my death, that I accept this situation so easily. Though, if I try to think that such an end has paid my debts, I can only feel that I am wrong." Taking a glance at the girl to be certain that she was still within the room he went on ahead and continued. "Though, I am sure a good portion of the people here do not hold the same outlook on their death such as I do. Since we are all here, I think interaction is bound to occur whether wanted or not. I sincerely only hope that people can come to terms with their death such as I have, as well open themselves to others." Giving a brief pause, he looked quite directly at the girl this time, "My apologies, it seems my mind is drifting away with the night."

Cas glanced at the guy as soon as he started talking and listened to his rambles. So she wasn't the only one who remembered death. Interesting. He was a rather pretty face for a guy. Very feminine. She finished her meal before speaking, wearin a small smile on her face and a curiousity in her eyes.

"Don't apologise. It's fine, actually I was getting quite tired of the silence. what did you say your name was again?" If he had ever said it at all that was.

Vane smiled lightly, it seemed that others within this building were approachable after all. Though, the fact that smiles could easily come about by the simple companionship of another. He could not understand the reason why his personality took a complete one eighty. When they died, he had given up on life, and when he found himself here, he simply adapted. "It's Vane. I guess I didn't exactly go around introducing myself did I?" Even in his death, his life turned better. The potential 'friends' that he craved were around him, with no status or belongings to define them. A world he didn't really deserve..

"If I remember correctly, you were the one with the blanket girl right?" The thought had come to him before, but it was rather awkward to live in a house where the females outnumbered the males. Even more so when it seemed a good few of them were around his age. "And if I didn't know any better, I would almost say you looked fairly protective of her. Then again, I am not the only guy here in this club of young maidens am I?" He short laugh came from him, the thought of anyone trying anything in this type of environment was just short of possible. As, if one made a commotion, it could easily be traced back and bite them with no escape.

Was it loneliness that was find him within these walls that made him seek friends? A crave that began with the red head girl that came to greet him? No, it was probably his greed to achieve something he could not before.. "Anyways... to follow our previous conversation, what is your name?"

Cas frowned at the mention of Svalin. Yes she did seem protective over her, but the reason was unkown to her. "I guess I am a little protective. It's strange, before this I would have simply found a way to ...use her to get what I wanted. Probably made her my little friend and got her to get things for me or something. But it didn't even cross my mind now." She shook her head. "So confusing and strange."

She examined him. It was true she used to find someones weakpoints, use them against the person until she was done with them, and then throw them away like trash. It was a vicious cycle but it was something she had come up with to give her sister the proper house, food, clothes and even school that she needed as a growing girl. "My name is Cas. And I suppose...we are all here for some reason or another. It's our 'second chance' right?"

So it was true, others have changed even on the first day of being here. Lifestyles that took complete turn, allowing them to actually befriend others in this given situation. Though it did please him to know that he was not the only member of this group with thoughts of selfishness in past lives. However, if he were to assume, his own life was probably easier to be selfish with. After all, to get what he wanted was simply an amount of paper.

"Second chance, huh?" He still despised the word combination. For there to be a second chance, it meant he was worth the time to actually be looked over on the first and deemed worthy of another. "Well Cas, I am glad for the chance to at least get past introductions." Vane stood, retrieving his plate as he took a few steps through the room. "I am going to sit up on the roof for awhile... I thought it would be nice to see what kind of view there is here.." He did not really plan to tell her where he was going, but it seemed more proper than simply leaving a girl by herself. "I will not ask if you want to join me, and I also won't tell you to stay here. After all, it's your choice on what you do, and I don't want to alter your path in any given way."

She had no way of knowing if anyone else would be walking around at this time and for some reaon she really didn't want ti be alone. Biting her lip in nervousness she looked at him.

"Mind if i join you? Though i don't kniw the way so you'll have to lead me...if that's alright."

He heard the girl's voice stammer. thomas wondered what he did, but in the end, decided not pursue it. After sitting down and making himself comfortable, he changed position slightly, and ended up cross legged on the ground, hunched over. By now, they were likely similar in eye level. thomas looked off into the trees and spoke. "The food wass nice. Cooking is an awesome thing, in general. I used to cook sometimes too. My name is Thomas Vermillion, and I do not know how to behave socially. As a result, I apologize if I seem weird. I probably am, but I don't know how to hide it." Thomas sheepishly smiled. His manner of speech was as clear as he could make it, just the way he liked it. This might be a good start to making another friend. Hopefully.

Bo visibly calmed down when Thomas adjusted himself to be more eye level with her. She gave a faint smile and looked up at the sky. "Thomas... I'll do my b-best to r-remember your n-name then..." She blinked and looked at the black haired boy. He was strangely formal but it was oddly nice it was... Different and strange... Bo always found it easier to warm up to someone not quite like other people. "My name i-is Bo... I a-apologize for my stuttering... I-I have a phobia of p-people taller t-then me..." Her cheeks went deep red as the words came from her mouth. Red in embarrassment... or anger at herself? Maybe both... "A-Anyway... It's ok if your w-weird cause I-I am too." She smiled and turned her head to face the stars.

Bo sat in silence for awhile when she noticed something... Something out of place. Putting her hand up to the sky she began to trace with her finger where stars met. None of them... None of them matched any of the constellations she knew. Where was the big dipper? The little dipper? Bo blinked and her eyes widened. The stars were nothing like the ones back home none of the constellations matched... The stars here were in fact completely different they even seemed brighter. "The s-stars... Are all mixed up..." Bo muttered silently her blue eyes still staring up at the celestial bodies high above her. "Almost l-like... Someone... P-Pulled them off and s-scattered them a new..." Bo was not even thinking about the person sitting next to her, she was much to busy with the thoughts wiring around in her head. When she'd first came here? That voice... No it could not be... Real? Surely they were just here because of some other reason? Right?

"My name i-is Bo... I a-apologize for my stuttering... I-I have a phobia of p-people taller t-then me..."

Ah. that was what it was. "Well, thank you for telling me, Bo, now I know you won't mind if I sit down whenever we talk. I don't like standing."
Upon seeing Bo look into the sky, Thomas looked up too. His mind began to race. This type of plain, almost non-descript thing always made his brain move quickly. Tiny things that have magical, limitless meanings. Like numbers. Thomas was great with numbers. These stars were even better. He wondered why he never looked at the night sky before. Staring at it for a while made it look like a blanket, and deceptively close. Thomas stretched his hand towards the sky to feel it, but obviously could not reach it. Instead, he lowered his hand and carried on making patterns. Then, he got an idea.

"The s-stars... Are all mixed up...Almost l-like... Someone... P-Pulled them off and s-scattered them a new...", Bo had said.

"I'll be right back. I have the greatest idea."

Thomas got up and ran inside. The only times he would even have the energy to run would be when a great idea comes to him. He liked to think that nothing could stop him from doing what he wished to, when he really wanted to, but those times were few and far between. He rushed to his room, skidding to a stop so he halted right at the door, and ran inside. He crashed through everything and grabbed a pencil, a large piece of paper, and the largest clipboard he could find, only slightly larger than a normal clip board. It would have to do. This task would be much more difficult, but it should work. After making sure he was familiar with the size of his devices, he ran back down, and made sure to walk to Bo, sitting down quietly next to her, and then looking at the sky. While his eyes saw, his hands worked, like a type-writer, making sure to dot each star down. He did not remove his sight from the stars, or stop his hands unless it was to check his work. Checking his work after a few stars, he saw that they were pretty accurate, and Thomas continued to mark them all.

"Look at me, I'm an astrologer. This is definitely something to look at when it will be finished. If we ever get out of here, I'll make sure to give everyone a copy so that we could all make our own constellations later on."

Bo blinked and watched Thomas leave. She counted stars until she heard him come back with a paper and pencil. Blinking she peeked at the paper and watched as he jotted down stars. She smiled and waited for him to speak. "I-I can a-already see a few..." Smiling she pointed up at the sky and drew a shape of a sheep. "Sheep." She smiled and pointed to a new spot and made a diamond shape. "Diamond." She paused. "D-Do you think t-there m-might be o-one l-like a flower?" Hugging her knees she looked from the sky to Thomas. "Y-You missed a s-star b-by the way." Grabbing his pencil she drew the little star on the paper where he'd missed. Smiling shyly she gave back the pencil and went back to hugging her knees.

Thomas seemed a quiet and relaxed person so that put Bo at ease right away. Not totally at ease but at ease enough to at least state things like the fact she'd managed to make a sheep with stars. Bo wiggled her toes in the grass and stayed silent just enjoying the oddly serene night.