Eiko miserably rubbed her eyes on her sleeve and sucked in unsteady gulps of air. "I hate this place..." she mumbled. She finally looked around, managing a pitiful sniffle or two, while leaning against Rydia. At least her friend understood better than anyone else why this was so hard on her.

Rather than wanting to linger in the restored village, she just wanted to leave. Looking around was more painful than cathartic. She wanted this, oh how she wanted it, daydreamed about it, doodled it instead of copying spelling words. But she wanted it when it was lasting and real. "Can we leave? Please?"