The two others in the house were not blind to the flash of concern that visited Lilia's features upon the mention of alchemy, but they both had their reasons to not mention it. Simon out of the courtesy of not worrying his mother more than she already worried, as was clear from the way she spoke differently from the usual. And for Cassandra, this reason was to not cause further worries for Lilia herself. But yet the greatest obstacle in reaction would be knowing what she actually thought of the subject. Guesses could be made, but none of those would do any good if they were mistaken. But at least it sounded like they had a direction for themselves. The blackwood. Simon nodded, and Cassandra's lips hinted at a smile. To have a destination made success ever so much closer. Just walking out of the door with no plan, now that would have the old witch worrying to the end of her days. But if they knew where they were going and could follow a lead from there? That she could believe in.<br/><br/>Yet when Lilia once more tried her magic on Simon, despite her hopeful look it soon turned towards the sour. Simon still was not changing nearly enough for the disguise to pass if they were to be meeting anyone in the sunlight. His eyes were still too large, but the much worse offender was the texture of his skin, obviously as rubbery as ever. But there was some progress made. The line that marked the change in colour was now less noticeable, and the eyes had become a greatly more subdued part of his face. But they were still too large for a human. Simon saw this and puffed through his nose. "We'll get it some time down the road. We can't just stay here refining it to the end of our days", he waved his hand, believing that it might show to Lilia that the attempt could as well be called there. But some little changes could still take place, even if it wouldn't really affect the end result that much in the general sense were she to continue. And Simon would let her, for how could he see what changed?<br/><br/>Once the process of reapplying the spell to the hat was done they could all rise from the table and Simon took a look around the living space. "I've never really thought about leaving…" he admitted. Even though it was now so clear, he'd not given a single thought to what he would have to pack beforehand or anything of that sort. Yet his mother would nod with an understanding look on her face.<br/><br/>"I've gone on my fair share of journeys before. I know what those take. And since I did set this whole thing up…" she let the two others follow the facts shared into the logical conclusion, and with Cassandra rising from the table to fetch an unassuming rucksack Simon understood. He'd receive it, but soon after taking hold of the straps his hand would just fall to his side. He and Cassandra looked each other in the eyes for nearly half a minute, not saying a word. There was but very little movements in their facial muscles, this mute display collapsing into a tight hug between the two. Even then, not a single word. Only once the two released the hug that had lasted twice as long as the stare had would Simon whisper a few incomprehensible words, his voice getting caught in his throat. Cassandra didn't fare much better, a few stray tears falling down each of their faces. With a snort, Simon would dislodge himself and head for the door. Enough was enough.<br/><br/>He opened the door and turned back to look at his childhood home one last time, and also to let Lilia get out before him. His mother had recovered enough to smile at him, even if the dampness from the few tears still showed on her face. "Be safe out there. And come to visit if you ever end up back in these parts", she requested of them, receiving a solemn nod for an answer. Simon couldn't speak at this moment. He'd never felt this much emotion at once. Just a moment ago when they'd all been sitting at the table this had felt like the logical next step. But now? He wanted anything but to go. Yet if he was to, this was the way for it to happen. And mother had known that too, packing for him in advance. Another tear rolled down his cheek, causing him to turn away and looking into the light the rising sun laid into the woods. He squinted slightly. So this was the next beginning was it? Due South, to look for what he and mother could never have learnt. In the company of his one friend outside of immediate family. He drew a deep breath and closed the door behind the two, rolling his shoulders forward after setting the backpack on its place. "Go. Go now. Don't look back any more or you'll regret this decision more than you already do", he thought he stated only within his head. But in the faintest volume, he'd spoken those words out loud.