Raurlin takes hold of Naomi's hand as they descend the staircase and walk into the dining room. Soraya is sitting at the table, a glass half filled with thick red liquid. She is staring out into the distance and doesn't register as Raurlin and Naomi take their seats at the table.

"Soraya?" Raurlin calls out and she flinches. She turns to face Raurlin and Naomi with a beaming smile that doesn't hide her tired eyes.

"Are you okay?" Raurlin asks gently.

Soraya shrugs. "Yes, fine. Why wouldn't it be fine? I'm adjusting well and my uncle is okay. It's taking him slowly the illness and it's like you said he should be far worse than he is and-"

"-Raya," Naomi cuts in with a small smile. "Deep breath."

After the ordeal at the feast of the new moon Axel felt it best to have Soraya live with Raurlin and Naomi. Etta and Ian never made it out of town either, frequenting the home of the hybrid king and queen. Axel visits daily, staying long enough to show Soraya that he is okay. But never long enough for anyone to gauge his actual condition.

Soraya exhales. "Sorry..."

"No need to apologise. Now Horatio tells me you aren't eating."

"You aren't either."

Naomi raises an eyebrow at Soraya's response. Soraya flushes pink in her cheeks and her eyes fall to the table in front of her. Naomi tilts back in her chair slightly, calling for Horatio. He appears a few moments later.

"Your Grace."

"Bring me a glass too. And one for Raurlin. Raur what do you feel like for breakfast?"

Raurlin shrugs. He glances at Horatio.

"Your Grace, leave it to me."

Naomi nods with a smile. Once he's out of the room she turns her attention back to Soraya. "Raya, would you like to go on a run with me today? We can pass by the pizzeria."

Raurlin sits up with a frown. "I don't think that's a good idea. Naomi you need rest and-"

"What I need is to get out of this house, do things that feel like myself."

Raurlin huffs, "fine but then I'm coming with you and we can make a stop by the hospital."

Naomi turns her eyes to Raurlin with a quiet glare. She knows he's just worried but the smothering concern clasps at her throat. Etta and Ian fumble into the dinning room in a fit of giggles and Naomi's head splits with an instant headache. The soft glare turns hard and reads 'you were supposed to tell them to leave'. Raurlin nods with a sigh as they fall into their seats at the table.

"Darling, Naomi, why the deep eye bags?" Etta demands with an exasperated breath. Naomi offers a tight smile. "Maybe I'm aenemic." Etta's shrill laugh rings through the house as she smacks an open palm on the table. Each sound seems to be right off of Naomi's eardrums. She winces and Raurlin reaches forward taking hold of Naomi's hand.

"What are we doing today?" Fabian asks excitedly.

"You and Etta should stay here, rest. It seems you've been on a bender and the last thing we need is you two crashing while we're out there."

Etta pouts "- But Raur-"

"- he is your king," Naomi cuts in cooly. Your grace is what is appropriate to call him. Not Raur. And you will be staying home today. It was not a question."

Promptly Horatio walks into the dining room balancing a large tray of pancakes, butter balls and syrup. The table falls silent as he lowers the breakfast onto the table. Horatio steps to the end of the room resting the tray under his arm. He fixes a look at Raurlin and Naomi. "Your grace, My queen, if I may, I would be more than happy to attend to Lord and Lady Fabian and Etta today."

Naomi nods her agreement without a look at Raurlin. "Thank you Horatio. Please make the preparations, we'll be leaving after breakfast." Naomi glances at Raurlin who is watching on with a look she cannot place. Naomi dishes a plate of food and stretches across the table to hand it to Soraya. Soraya feebly accepts the plate. Naomi dishes a plate for Raurlin as Soraya slowly begins eating. Etta and Fabian seem to be coming down from the Gods awful high. Etta drops her head onto the table murmuring something as Fabian remains sitting upright battling to keep his eyes open.

Naomi, Soraya and Raurlin begin eating quietly until Raurlin gently says "Soraya, I heard that your uncle has the strength to be out today. He will meet us at the hospital and we'll go to the pizzeria from there." Soraya perks up at his words with a slight smile. "Thank you, your grace. I was wondering if I might-"

"- it's not a good idea for you to be alone with him right now Soraya, he's older than you. He's stronger. But soon things will be better at the hospital once everything is set up. You will be able to spend time with him there."

Soraya sinks into her chair again and picks at her waffles. Once breakfast is just about complete Horatio ushers Etta and Fabian to the lounge where they collapse onto the couches for a mid morning rest. Naomi and Raurlin walk with Soraya to Raurlin's car that is running complete with cups of sustenance for the day. Soraya hops into the back seat and straps on her seatbelt. Naomi slips onto the passenger seat and immediately sets to work playing music as Raurlin guides the car out of the driveway.

"We have to do something about Etta and Ian," Naomi mutters, causing Soraya to giggle. Raurlin glances at her through the mirror with a small smile. "I know," Raurlin ensures, "we'll brainstorm with Jax and Sarah."

"And Stellan and Dee," Naomi adds to Raurlin's list. Raurlin smiles at his queen. In these moments he's able to see the snippets of who she really is. Naomi pats his knee then settles into the seat.