The first thing Herschel noticed was her accent, it was amusing to him after having heard only the same accent for years on end now. Most of him imagined Dimitri would have stuck to the southern roads, even now it was possible that Herschel was right in his head. Not that any judgement had been passed, either way Herschel would have to wait to badger Dimitri with questions.<span style="color: #0080BF">"My name is Herschel Midnight. Father to this fine boy."</span>Dimitri and his dad shared a look, and they both smiled at one another. It was after they were done shaking hands that Dimitri took Alannah's hand in his own, it was simply what they did. It was, in all essential matter, Dimitri's way of telling his dad that he'd met someone.<span style="color: #0080BF">"You must have had a long trip. We should go inside, maybe have a cup of-"</span><br/><br/>His dad stopped talking as the sound of a door slamming echoed. A woman with hair that was still blonde, despite her age, appeared. She looked aged, but she didn't look elderly.<span style="color: #008040">"Hey! Child! I'd throw a bucket of water on you if you didn't have such a pretty friend with you!"</span>She shouted, despite being only so far away with no noise to interrupt whatever she was going to say. Unlike Dimitri's dad who had only walked as Dimitri ran, his mom came running from the door to the group that was now gathered in the middle of a dirt path. She hugged Dimitri, his hand still holding Alannah's.<span style="color: #008040">"I missed you, you little free worker!"</span>His mother teased, and releasing him shortly after.<span style="color: #008040">"And who's this?"</span>She said, without a worry, hugging Alannah as though they'd met a thousand times before.<br/><br/>She released Alannah shortly after.<span style="color: #008040">"Ya can just call me Jill, darlin'!"</span>She said enthusiastically. Dimitri, who had been enthusiastic throughout the whole thing until his mom hugged Alannah just turned to her, his hand still in hers. "Um. Sorry." He said, uncertain and softly. Despite that, he was still happy with how things were. The three most important people to him were all around him. His dad broke the silence.<span style="color: #0080BF">"Riley has been just fine in the stables, always itching to gallop about. Makes me wonder if he's half horse half workhorse."</span>He said, laughing to himself afterwards.<span style="color: #0080BF">"Speaking of half workhorse..."</span>He said, waiting for someone else to speak. It was the only subtle way to ask if Alannah knew.