Ashley raised an eyebrow.

"Eh?" he muttered.

"My opinion on Julien?" he asked, before shrugging.

"He's all right." he said.

"Seems like a good man. Crap hand in life, making the best of it." he went on.

"I like him." he continued.

"Why?" he then asked her.

Ashley was... stunned. He didn't know what to say for a few seconds, before shaking his head slightly.

"Ahhhh... wait, what?" he asked.

"Seriously?" he asked her.

Demitra smirk, which she continued to hold, told him everything.

"Oh... wow." he mumbled.

"Holy crap, didn't think I've ever hear THAT news." he admitted.

"How'd he react?" he asked.

"Or Aunt Racquel, even?"

"Yeah, that makes sense." Ashley replied.

"Speaking of Dani, did you tell her before me?" he asked.

"If yeah, how'd she react?" he asked.

"If you haven't yet, you HAVE to let me know." he laughed.

"Her reaction to this news is sure to be... have been... amazing." he reasoned.

"Because I assume you're not planning to go through ME to tell her."

Ashley just laughed in response.

"Yeah, that sounds like her!" he exclaimed.

"I can totally see that happening." he told her.

"Anyway, congratulations." he then said sincerely.

"It's awesome you've finally found someone." he said further, looking around.

"Aunt Racquel was starting to get a bit worried." he then whispered to her, though she could tell he was half-joking.

Ashley was silent for another moment, and then shook his head.

"...so here's hoping you buck that trend." he said.

"Seriously. Be the first one to have a stable and lasting relationship." he told her.

"Because Julien seems like an awesome enough guy." he shrugged.

"Knows the hardships of being judged because of bloodline, knows loneliness, you two seem to connect nicely." he went on, before pausing.

"...in... more ways that one..." he muttered at the end.

"....hm." Ashley mumbled.

"Yeah, okay." he said.

"Well... anyway, thanks for telling me." he then told her.

"It's nice to know you've found a little happiness in someone else." he commented.

"And it's made my day SO much better." he admitted.

"I feel a lot less stressed now." he said further.

"So hey, thanks for that bit of sunshine today!"

Ashley nodded in response, and got up, walking her back to the door.

Once they got there, he merely gave her a hug.

"Again, congratulations." he said.

"I hope everything goes well." he told her.

"And I hope Julien reacts well to the news." he then said further, before pausing.

"...because we know how Aunt Racquel will react." he told her.

"So SHE'S not a worry." he laughed.

"...." Ashley was silent for a moment as the embrace was broken up.

"Okay, didn't think of THAT." he admitted.

"Hm." he mumbled.

"Want me there?" he asked.

"If anything, to potentially reign her in if possible?" he asked.

"Or do you think you'll be able to handle it?" he asked.

"...think JULIEN will be able to handle it?"

As she looked around, she discovered that she was, in fact, alone.

The chances that her mother and Julien had gone out to forage or something were very high. It was the season, so it was best to make the most of it while they were around.

However, the chances that it wouldn't take long were also high. They liked to make the trips quick.

Sure enough, she was only waiting for about a half-hour, before she could hear their voices approaching.

And from the sounds of it, it had been quite successful.

"Hi, Demitra." Julien greeted her, smiling as well.

"Seems you got back before us." he commented.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"I mean, you went to Candentus Lux to see Emma, right?" he asked further, recalling his memory.

"What'd she say?" he asked her.

"...is anything wrong?"