When Neil came out Ileana was awake, sitting up with the unhurried quality of her mornings, and she looked at him with morning eyes that were clear and warm and direct.
Jane was still asleep.
They got up together quietly, leaving her to sleep, and went out to the courtyard where the morning was just establishing itself, the domain's population beginning its day in the usual configurations.
Bob was already outside at the new workshop section, apparently having been there since before Neil woke up, examining something with the focused energy he brought to things he found structurally interesting, talking at his usual outdoor volume to Rob who had appeared shortly after.
Fay had breakfast on the table by the time the domain's morning population had assembled, the thoroughness she always brought to the meal schedule making the transition from sleep to morning smooth for everyone.
