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Ryziel was ready to say no when Aly spoke first. "I don't see a problem with that," she said. She looked over at Ryziel. "If she has to return above then we might as well go together."

Ryziel couldn't argue with that.

Once Aly's pack was secure, Ryziel followed her over to the door. Uncaring if Xilya or Nar saw, he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her.

"Be safe," he said, nuzzling her ear. "I will come to get you later. Meet me at our usual place during mid-shift."

"You got it." She kissed the corner of his mouth then drew back. "I was thinking...maybe I can say something now about the ship to my team. Or at least just my team leader? So that they can be ready when the time comes."

He brushed a lock of hair back behind her ear. "We will discuss the possibility tomorrow. Until then," he grazed his mouth against hers, "see you, my love."

Aly kissed him once more and released herself gently from his hold to back away and stand beside Xilya. Ryziel's eyes flicked over to the vrisha with a tight glare, which she immediately returned. "See you soon."

***

Aly walked beside Xilya as they made their way across the bottom toward the elevator. She was so accustomed to the path now that she didn't need to follow behind. Xilya didn't seem to mind, though she stayed quiet for most of their journey.

"You really plan to take my team to Tryth with you?" Aly said as they walked up to the elevator.

Xilya waved her hand over the pad to bring down a car. "That's the idea, yes. From there, they may be able to track a way back to a human territory. Or perhaps one of them will know of better coordinates to go by, and I can drop them off at a human settlement. Either way, I'm certain they can be returned home without issue."

Aly nodded. "I'm glad. I will miss them...and you."

The alien didn't respond readily to this, and they waited in silence until the doors opened. Once they were inside and the car began to move, Xilya made a soft hissing noise.

"It might be very lonely on Nihl without your kin," she said.

Aly looked up at her, but the vrisha didn't meet her gaze.

"I think I'll manage fine. I'll make new friends."

Xilya scratched at the side of her face.

Aly shifted and cleared her throat. "Ryziel says it's beautiful there. It might even seem like Earth in some ways. He says there are some who might like me to draw—"

"You shouldn't go."

Aly stared at her, confused and, frankly, a little hurt. "Why?" The vrisha didn't say anything at first so Aly continued with, "Is it really because you think I'll be lonely? Because I told you I'm not upset—"

"You don't understand." The alien sighed, rubbing at one of her horns. "You won't make friends there. You won't have anyone. Except, I guess, Ryziel. Youwillbe alone."

Aly frowned. "What are you saying, exactly?"

Xilya turned her head toward her. "What do you know of the nillium, truly? Tell me."

Aly thought about it then said, "I know they are a noble race...that most are members of the Xolis Council. I know they think a little too highly of themselves."

Xilya made another low hissing noise. "And what do you know of Nihl, their homeworld? That it is beautiful, that is all?"

Aly opened her mouth then closed it. "I...I know that the sun rarely sets there, at least in the northern hemisphere. And when it does, it is only like...once a month."

"The First Night, they call it," Xilya said. "The one night that lasts only an hour to which they endure once a month, yes. And Ryziel will challenge his uncle on this night, as you know."

"Right, because he's strongest somehow at night...like he said." Aly spoke the words but they sounded uncertain, even in her ears.

"Wrong. He isn't stronger at night," Xilya said bluntly. Aly opened her mouth to protest, but Xilya cut her off. "He isn't stronger. The sun, his planet's sun, weakens him."

Aly went still.