Ah—

[ There is a very tall, very hesitant young man staring at the candle apprehensively. ]

Hello...?

[as soon as he sees who it is, his face lights up]

You're back!

[ There's a smile on his face when he sees Mau— and it's possibly the first unabashed smile since he got out of the Book. ]

I arrived yesterday evening.

Welcome back. How do you like the new realm?

I miss the beach. . . But I am grateful to be out of the Book.

The beach was... a good place to be. But probably almost anywhere is better than the Book.

That is true. I would not wish it on anyone.

...it's good to see you, and hear your voice.

[ He appears caught off-guard for a moment. ]

I... It is the same for me. I have missed you. I did not know how much time was passing, but there was a sense of it.

...I used to talk to you, every day.

I knew you couldn't hear me. But I did anyway.

No, but...

[ His eyes lower to the ground and his voice grows softer. ]

I am grateful.

I didn't know what else to try. But bonds are magic here. I wanted to make sure you were always still part of the team.

[ His hand flutters to hold the key around his neck. ]

I truly want that.

It won't be otherwise.

[ He smiles again. ]

Thank you.

[ He hesitates for a moment. ]

You look different. Did the time away treat you well?

Some of it did. It... a lot happened.

If it pleases you, I would not mind listening.

Should I start from the beginning? It's a long story.

The beginning seems to be a good place. With any luck, I should have plenty of time to hear it.

All right. So then... when you went into the Book, Breath came. He was very... young.

...well, he was probably my age, but he seemed young.

[no Mau you just act like you're forty]

You have always carried yourself with maturity. Perhaps that was the difference?

[ Translation: You act like you're forty. ]

Whatever that means!

Anyway. Hm. We got the dog, pretty soon after you left, too.

I believe I've seen the dog. So that was when she arrived?

Yeah. She's grown a lot since then.

She's a pretty dog.