Sonder and Vell remained like that for a little longer.
Then there were footsteps outside the room.
Sonder heard them.
She slowly pulled away from Vell, though she kept her hands on his arms for another moment.
The door opened, and the Yellow Mage stood in the doorway.
He looked between the two of them.
"I see you are awake."
Sonder nodded. "Yes."
The Yellow Mage's eyes moved over her, briefly examining her condition.
"You seem better."
"I am."
"That is convenient."
The Yellow Mage looked toward the window.
The light outside had darkened. The room had become gloomier, and the last light of the sun was beginning to disappear beyond the horizon.
"We've all been asleep for a significant time, and it is nearly evening."
Vell glanced toward the window.
"So it is."
"I was going to prepare some food."
"You were?"
"I was considering it."
There was a short pause.
"Come," the Yellow Mage said. "We should eat."
"You don't look like you're in any condition to cook."
"It was a statement, not a question. I will cook."
Vell looked toward the Yellow Mage. "I'll cook. If you'll let me use your kitchen."
"No."
Vell raised an eyebrow.
"You haven't even heard what I'll make."
"That isn't the problem."
"What is the problem? I'll try not to rearrange anything. And I'll put everything back exactly where I found it. I'll even pay you back for the ingredients I'll use later."
The Yellow Mage considered him.
"No."
Vell sighed. "You've only got one arm."
"I am aware."
"And I'll bet you're still sore. You shouldn't be trying to cook with one arm while you're injured. Have you ever cooked with one arm before?"
"No."
"Then let me."
The Yellow Mage looked at him for a long moment.
He clearly wanted to refuse, but he considered it again.
"Fine."
Vell smiled.
"Thank you."
"You are a guest."
"A friend," Vell corrected.
The Yellow Mage paused.
"Yes."
He looked away.
"A friend."
He stepped aside.
"You may use the kitchen."
They were in agreement, and so the three of them, plus Sireacht, went to the kitchen.
Vell strode as if nothing had ever been wrong.
And it wasn't just Sonder who thought that beneath that calmness, something else lay hidden.
As it seemed that the Yellow Mage had woken before her, she didn't know how much he knew.
Maybe he knew more, or less, than her, but even he knew something was not right; not entirely wrong, but still amiss.
When they arrived in the kitchen, Vell looked over the shelves and said, "What should I make?"
The question was mostly to himself.
There was plenty to choose from.
He opened one cupboard, then another. He found plenty of ingredients; mostly vegetables, but that was more than enough.
He considered making something simple.
Bread and something cooked alongside it.
Perhaps eggs.
Then he thought of soup. He wanted soup.
It seemed appropriate.
It was warm and simple.
Something that could be eaten slowly.
He found a suitable pot and set it on the stove.
"I'll make soup."