The boy didn't yawn or stretch, as one might expect from someone who was just waking up.
One moment, he was lying still, breathing deeply and rhythmically, and the next, he'd let out a soft whoosh of breath and snapped open his clear, focused eyes, that were still glowing with a faint, cold light.
Elara jumped up at the sight, even taking a couple of small, hurried steps in Siel's direction before ultimately restraining herself.
'Well -?' she started asking, her voice pitched high. The word rang out somewhat sharply in the silence of the nighttime. Lana – who had joined her by her side, after taking to her feet a little more gracefully – reached out to rest a steadying hand on her shoulder.
Elara sighed and held her tongue then, and the two girls exchanged glances before turning to look expectantly at the younger tower magician.
Arin himself had remained where he'd been standing.
He didn't want to crowd the kid.
He watched as Siel pushed himself to sit up straight with an effortless, swift motion. As the glow in the boy's eyes faded, the boy turned to look at Elara and Lana first, before sliding his gaze to the corner of the room, where Arin stood.
Meeting his eyes, Siel had only just opened his mouth to speak, when Arin interrupted him and spoke first.
'What ideas has your drowse helped you come up with?' he asked in a low voice.
Siel paused, blinking once.
'Ideas on how we may… excuse ourselves. From the celebration…?' Arin prompted.
'…ah!' Siel blinked again, then nodded to show he had understood. He shot Arin a grateful look.
…looks like he really had forgotten that he couldn't just say things outright.
Siel swung his legs off the side of the bed, then stood up.
'What is it, sir Siel?' Elara asked. She appeared to have reined in some of her anxiety, and was speaking in a low, controlled voice again. Even then, her hand was gripping Lana's with such force, that both their fingers had turned white.
The young maid only grimaced lightly, and ended up choosing not to say anything about it. Instead, she also awaited Siel's response with bated breath.
'To speak plainly,' started Siel, then paused. Clearly, he was struggling to come up with a vague way of explaining whatever it was that he'd just learned.
'There is only one… acceptable way, for one to excuse oneself in such a scenario,' he said finally. 'That is… if one, uh… ceases to exist.'
'What?' exclaimed Elara sharply.
'Hush, lady,' said Lana in a soothing voice. Turning to face Siel, she then continued, 'What, exactly, are you trying to say, sir Siel?'
'Uh… the thing is…' Siel turned to look at Arin, eyes wider than ever in his desperation to find the correct words. It was only then that Arin finally left his corner and joined the others to stand by the bed. He'd try to help the kid out.
After all, he'd understood what Siel had been trying to say.
…Probably.
Actually, hopefully not.
Still… probably…
'I think what Siel is trying to explain to us, is that there is no proper or acceptable way for us to excuse ourselves from such an event,' he said. 'Not unless we are dead.'
Siel nodded excitedly. 'That is correct!' he cheered, before stopping suddenly at the sound of a sharp gasp. 'Lady, what -?'
Elara was reeling, her face a stark white, as a worried-looking Lana supported her from behind.
'Dead? Dead!? Everyone is… No! Does that – does that mean there is no way -? No way for us to escape – '
'No! Not at all!' said Arin quickly. At almost the same time, Lana held up a hand to cover Elara's mouth, muffling her words. Clearly, they were all worried her words might end up triggering the warp.
If their memories were erased now, who knows how long it would take for them to get to this point again.
If they even did.
Arin didn't know how long the girl had spent alone and burdened by the knowledge of their situations. He didn't know how many nights she had lain awake, worrying and blaming herself for everything while trying and failing to save everyone she knew and loved.
He'd already noticed how jittery and high-strung she'd been ever since earlier this evening. Or perhaps, even before that. Maybe she'd just hidden it well enough that he hadn't noticed sooner.
It didn't matter. Whatever the case may be, it seemed that Elara had finally reached her breaking point.
'Listen to me!' he said, a little louder now. 'For one who does not care to participate in such a thing, the simplest, most straightforward way to accomplish what they want is to… be no more,' he tried again.
To no avail.
'I don't – I don't – ' Elara mumbled past Lana's delicate fingers, shaking her head. She was starting to gasp for breath.
Damn it. Hyperventilation!?
She was panicking. She was barely listening.
How else could he - ?
'Lady, listen,' said Lana. Then, 'Elara, listen,' a little more firmly.
'The celebration is being hosted in the village. If I am in the village, it is expected of me to attend. Therefore, I must do so,' she spoke slowly and simply, her voice low and soothing.
Elara was still breathing in short, quick huffs. However, she had locked her eyes onto her friend's face.
Lana smiled at her gently. 'Should I wish to not attend,' she continued in that same, steady voice, 'the easiest way would be for me to not remain in the village. For me to… cease to exist… within the village.'
...
To escape the dream, one must die within it.
…
'Do you understand, Elara?'
A second ticked by. Then another.
Then, many more.
After a long while, Elara finally, slowly, nodded.
Lana gently led her back to the chair where she'd been sitting earlier. The girl slumped down weakly, bending over to rest her face in her hands, as she tried to bring her breathing back to normal.
Arin also relaxed his shoulders, and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
It had passed. Thanks to Lana, it had passed.
And as for Elara, she was a strong kid. She'd be fine in no time.
He was just glad that they hadn't triggered another warp. They were all still here. They all still remembered. And, most importantly,
They finally knew how to leave the dream.