Araceli's words sit heavily in Fern's heart as she trails a little way's behind her and Korrin on the way to their home. It isn't bleak depression that makes her melancholic; it's just the knowledge of what.. might have been, if only she and Sina had had more time, if things had been different--

But both Korrin and Araceli are right that to think only of the bad things won't do Sina any good now, and so it's not so difficult for a sunny smile to suddenly light Fern's face as Lux comes scampering over to investigate her. "--oh, he's lovely!" she exclaims and crouches before him with a giggle, stroking both hands over his energetically wiggling form and scratching behind his ears. Cooing, she adds, "You know you're handsome, don't you!" Because of course he does.