"That's true." Julien responded.

"She's rather bright, and quite adaptive." he commented.

"And Kaia is one heck of an adventurous spirit." he went on. "She does what she likes, and wants to have fun." he said further.

"...heh." he then chuckled.

"Similar in so many ways, but they couldn't be more different." he went on, shaking his head and smiling a little.

"This development doesn't change the fact that I feel blessed to have them." he told Racquel.

"I wouldn't trade them... this life... for anything."

"Yes." Julien responded.

"I know." he said.

"...." he was then silent, before sighing and shaking his head.

"It's not evil. She has to know that. What she can do is not inherently evil." he continued.

"We need to show her she needs to be careful, but we cannot act like we're frightened of it. That sort of behaviour could colour her attitude negatively for the rest of her life." he went on.

"And that is the last thing I want." he stated further.

"We need to make sure she knows not to use this power lightly, or haphazardly."

"Thank you." Julien replied with a smile.

"You... you've been wonderful." he told her.

"You're truly an amazing person." he said further, before sighing quietly.

"Know something?" he asked.

"If I hadn't met Demitra first..." he went on, before pausing.

"Well... you know." he finished.

He figured it might be best to not actually SAY it, but knew she would know what he meant.

Julien just sighed.

"Yeah." he said.

"I know." he replied.

"I can think of a number of reasons why I wouldn't be able to get you." he told her.

"...can think of a number of reasons why I wouldn't be able to get Demitra, but THAT happened..." he then muttered.

"But you know what I mean." he said.

"Still. I'm just trying to say you are an amazing person."

He looked into her eyes for a moment, was silent, and then smiled and nodded.

"Yeah." he said.

"I know that." he told her. "Now." he added.

"Thanks to you and Demitra."' he said further.

"You both gave me a new lease on life." he continued. "And the girls just further strengthen it." he went on.

"I have so much to live for right now." he told her.

"...and that is why I will find Rowena. To help protect what gives me the will to live."

Julien returned the hug, and sighed when she made her last statement.

"...I don't think so, either." he said.

"But I am determined." he told her.

"I WILL find her." he swore.

"...and then hopefully convince her to help us." he added.

"If she is adamant about not wanting to... there's little I can do to force the issue." he lamented.

"We'll just have to hope she'll be willing." he finished, shaking his head slightly.

"I will." Julien responded.

"I promise." he said.

He then thought for a moment, before listing off a couple of things that Racquel could help with, before sighing.

"Really, I need Demitra to return." he finished.

"She needs to be here before I leave." he continued.

"That's... that's really the main thing." he said further, sighing again.

"But there's nothing for that, but to... just... wait for her."

"Ah, good." Julien responded.

"Those are... generally quicker, and a lot safer." he reasoned.

"Here's hoping it's on the 'sooner' side of a day or two." he went on.

"...." he was then silent, and looked to the direction of the girls' room.

"...it's a frightening hybrid." he commented.

"It never occurred to me that this could happen." he went on.

"I'd always assumed it'd be one or the other."

"We really can't." Julien agreed.

He then sat down in a nearby chair, and shook his head again.

"Fate is... strange." he mumbled.

"If you believe in fate, that is." he then said.

"I'm not sure if I do or not." he admitted.

"...but... everything that's happened in my recent life... it can't be just quirks and coincidence and luck, can it?" he wondered aloud.

Julien sighed again, but nodded.

"Yeah, you're right." he said.

"I should stop overthinking everything and get some rest." he agreed.

He then stood up and stretched his arms out, yawning deeply.

"Well, good night, Racquel." he said to her.

"...odds are one of us will not be waking up alone tonight." he commented.

"You know as well as I do that at least one of the girls will make their way to you or me before morning."