Marcus couldn't wait for Emma. He opened his eyes on his own, already anticipating her presence. He sat up and glanced toward the couch, only to find Emma stretched out, eyes closed. Without hesitation, Marcus sprang from the bed and moved toward her. How could Ms. Tibarn go back on her word? No, it couldn't be... Emma lay quietly on the couch, just closing her eyes, when the sound of Marcus' footsteps reached her ears. "Stop!" Her drowsy voice cut sharply through the air, halting Marcus mid-step. "Ms. Tibarn..." He looked at her, a twinge of hurt in his voice. She had been the one to welcome them in, yet now she ignored them entirely. Emma showed no sign of softening at his wounded tone. "Go back," she instructed firmly. "All of you, sleep. Quietly. Or I'll get angry." The moment she mentioned anger, Marcus spun on his heel and flopped back onto the bed as if his spirit had fled him entirely. Corvin, Edric, and Kieran obeyed even more rigidly, lying motionless on their beds, not daring to make a sound. Satisfied with their silence, Emma allowed a faint smile to curve her lips before closing her eyes once more. The night passed without a word. Morning came, bright and clear. Emma guided Edric, Corvin, Marcus, and Kieran to catch the starrail bound for the Four Domains. Once aboard, she sent a message to Silas. 'Silas, we're on the way. Give it a few days and I'll see you.' She also messaged Lucien, letting him know she had departed. A few days prior, Lucien had finally responded to her earlier messages. She had informed him of her plan to find both him and Silas, and of the cub she had seen in her dream. Lucien had not opposed her journey to the Four Domains, though the thought of her bearing a cub soon made him anxious about her well-being. Despite sending the messages, neither Silas nor Lucien replied. Emma assumed they were preoccupied and turned off her lightcore. Then she produced the wood and carving knife she had prepared. She had practiced carving before and was skilled. Her original plan had been to craft a miniature version of herself and Silas, complete with his small bloom. Yet with Remy coming soon and the dream still vivid in her mind, she decided to include Remy atop Silas' flower. Visualizing the design clearly, she focused her ability into the blade and began her work. When Corvin entered with juice and caught sight of her, he paused, frowning. Emma sat at the table, tools in hand, carefully carving into a block of wood. "Emma," he said, concern etched in his voice, "did that piece of wood offend you? I can crush it for you." What could a block of wood possibly do to upset her, he wondered. What if she exhausts herself? Emma looked up, calm. "No, it's fine. I bought it intentionally. I'm carving." "Carving?" Corvin knew carving. He had seen people sculpt stone, crystal, and metal materials, but he had never seen anyone carve wood before. All of those were used to make weapons. He could do that himself. But this carving that Emma was making was completely different. "Emma, what can you carve out of wood?" The wood was neither as solid as stone nor metal, nor did it hold the energy embedded in crystals. "What kind of weapon could it possibly become?" "It's not a weapon," Emma replied, sipping her juice before picking up the blade again. "It's a puppet. I promised Silas a present, so I'm carving a wooden puppet for him." Emma was creating a gift with her own hands. Corvin could not help but feel a pang of admiration.He studied the block she was shaping, still uncertain what it would become, yet he knew anything she made personally would surpass anything money could buy. He bit his lip, watching her work. A fleeting desire struck him—he wished for a gift crafted by Emma's hands, too. "Emma," he said quietly, "what must I do to earn one of your gifts? I don't want anything else. Just a carving like that." Emma paused, regarding him thoughtfully. "I can make one for you. But I don't have extra wood right now. You'll have to wait." "I'll wait," Corvin said, beaming. "No matter how long it takes." "Alright," Emma replied. "Once I see Silas and return, I'll buy the proper wood. After that, I'll make yours." For Emma, carving was simple, almost effortless. "You're the best, Emma," Corvin said impulsively, wrapping her in a quick embrace and pressing a firm kiss to her cheek before releasing her. "Emma, you can get back to work. I'll sit here quietly and keep you company," he added, moving a chair near her but keeping a respectful distance. He even set his lightcore to silent.