.

Lei blinked. Algeria frowned. The Jester smiled uncomfortably. 

"You still came…" The jester winked and kicked her parents. Algeria snickered, helping Lei slowly stand up. "Are you okay, Lei?" The Jester asked, concerned, and Lei sighed. "I'll be fine. Just, uh, make sure to deal with Them -" she pointed at both her parents, now glaring at her "Yeah, deal with them first please." 

The jester nodded.

Soon they were both tied up and locked into the same cell that Alderia had previously been in. The Jester handed Lei two more vials of the poison wordlessly. The last two vials had taken some effect, as both of them were now unconscious, but they were still alive. 

In this grimy dungeon, Lei looked at her hands in the dim light and noticed they were trembling. 

Then, someone placed their hands ontop of hers. Lei looked up to see the Jester, smiling in the dim light. "I told you I wouldn't force you, Lei. I can do it if you want." 

At that moment, all of Lei's words suddenly failed her. 

They were simply thrown out the window. 

In other words, a brain freeze, but we're trying not to ruin the romantic mood here. So let's just say she was so surprised all her words died in her throat. 

"Why are you helping me so much?" 

The Jester didnt say anything, kissed Lei's forehead, and took the vials from her. 

Lei and Alderia walked out together, hand-in-hand. As soon as she was out, Alderia took a deep breath, taking in the trees, grass, and light spring air. 

"It's been so long since I left that place."

"It's a good time to leave too. Spring just started." Lei said thoughtfully. Alderia nodded absently, and Lei said, "What are you going to do now? It's all over." 

There was a pause. 

Then, Alderia said, her hand still in Lei's, "What choice do I have? I want to go home." It was a good thing to say. Oddly fitting to the situation too. Now the two paused to look at the bright world around them. 

Home. A word Lei had never known until she had met Chris. Lei sighed. 

"Can you tell me about your home, then?"

"Oh, I live with my grandma and a cousin in the countryside," Alderia said. Lei tilted her head. "Oh, I went to the countryside recently. Does your grandma have all grey hair and the cousin is named Maya? Sebas told me all about it." Alderia paused. Then a single tear trickled down her cheek, and she shakily nodded. "That's them." Lei smiled. "Well then, they're doing fine." 

Alderia looked at her. Lei sure would miss that face, even though she wouldn't have said so before. 

"You're going home, Alderia."