Rose answered the door, scarf thrown jauntily around her neck, and the rest of her possessions securely stowed. Ilia stood there, looking like she was heading to a funeral instead of an adventure.

"Careful, I might think you didn't want to go with us." An obvious ploy. Merely an opening gambit in convincing her that this was still a good idea.

"If you're still interested in coming along, now would be the time."

She strolled out the door and down the hall more quickly than her unremarkable countenance might have suggested. She was eager to get going.

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