Time passed quietly within the mansion.
The living room had fell into a peaceful and chattering ambiance, accompanied by the growing scent of dinner from the kitchen.
Edward sat with Layla and Olga, listening more than he spoke as the two exchanged occasional remarks. Layla, as usual, filled the silences easily; Olga remained reserved, but she no longer seemed quite as tense as when she had first appeared.
She was clearly more comfortable and at ease around Edward and the around Banshees and Samara along so when it became too crowded she was less talkative but Layla was a master of conversation. She managed to easily get Olga to talk.
Across the room, Lunishia had taken fully Tihana's attention.
Tihana sat close beside her, asking one question after another about Edward's life during the long periods he had been away from them. Lunishia answered with enthusiasm, recounting stories of their travels, their encounters, and the strange places they had visited.
