As the two made their way back to the house, a tear formed in the ground. A hole tore through reality, opening a portal to another realm. As it grew in size, a hint of white hair loomed from the ground, and rose forth as the portal grew to be four feet wide. The hooded man stepped onto the grass, and the portal sealed itself back up.<br/><br/>"Good evening, my dear." he said, his voice calm and deep, charismatic and knowing. "I believe it has been too long." He pulled a cigarette from his coat, and as he inhaled, it lit itself. He pulled a second cigarette, and held his hand out, the cylinder rotating just above his hand. "Would you like an after-meal smoke?" It flitted in the air, as he stepped back from it, standing over where the portal had been.<br/><br/>"Allow me to thank you for caring for my kin, mortal." he said to the young man. "You cannot fully understand how grateful I am." He smiled at him, and then turned to the woman again.<br/><br/>"My dear, there are events unfolding, and legacies to be made. It would seem Fate has played quite a funny card this time about, as you are not the only one who has just awoken. I regret to inform you we must be on our way quickly." He dragged from the cigarette, smiled, and exhaled the plumes from his nostrils.<br/><br/>He held forth his hand, and another rift in existence formed, this time as a gateway, instead of a hole in the ground. "But please, enjoy your cigarette."