The reaction did not go as expected. Though the coals remained as dim and lifeless as before, the light in the room increased. The temperature grew warmer, and the weather outside became less troubled. At the same time, some of the figures slouched and motionless in the chairs around the fire began to stir. There was a small child, long strawberry blonde hair hanging in touseled curls, limp and slumbering in the lap of a woman in her twenties. The woman was kindly in appearance, and visibly exhausted. She too slumbered as she held the child. Her hair matched that of the girl, long, curly, and hanging free down her back and spilled across her face in sleep. She would look nearly identical to the woman Jim was married to.<br/><br/>Sitting on the hearth near the fire was a woman dressed all in black. She sat with a listless, drained, empty demeanor. The pommels of daggers were visible in her boots, as well as a knife sheathed at her belt. Her appearance was also similar to Jim's wife, but harder somehow. Her hair was pulled back in a tight braid which hung down her back.<br/><br/>There was also a man present. He sat upright, facing the door as if waiting for something. He had also dozed off, but as the energy rushed into the room, he stirred. The others made tiny movements as well, as if fighting to rouse themselves, but this man was the only one to manage it. He was tall, strong, with a square jaw and kind black eyes. His hair was long, dark, and hung past his shoulders. He appeared pale, exhausted, and near collapse when he rose to his feet and looked around.<br/><br/>His eyes fell on the visitor and he smiled, "Well now... This meeting is long over due."<br/><br/>He turned and approached the man with a smile. He swayed on his feet and paused, nearly drifting off again, then shook himself and roused once more. "You have come to us just when we needed you most... We cannot thank you enough. You must have many questions. Please, feel free to ask. I shall stay with you for as long as I am able. Her energy is fading, but I believe you will be able to bring her around. She has been through worse than this."