A secluded patch of beach [Thursday evening]

[notqueenyet]

Aravis was -- restless. That was likely to be the best word. She was here, now, and she wasn't entirely sure why she had come, still. Ben's explanation the day prior had given her a small glint of hope, but she still wasn't convinced

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[lostofcalavar]

"Lovely horse you've got there," called a very familiar, male voice. Rishti smiled at his sister when he knew he was within her sights, and gave a little wave.

The woman on his arm, in her bright, bejeweled clothing, didn't call out, but rather gave Aravis a bright smile.

[notqueenyet]

Aravis was so surprised, it took her a moment to still her horse. When she'd actually come to a stop. When she dismounted -- far less gracefully than she would have liked -- she resisted the impulse to run over to them. Her mind chanted Ben was right, Ben was right over and over, and despite her efforts to look casual in the face of seeing her long-dead mother and brother, her face lit up in a beatific smile. "Have I lost my mind?" she asked pleasantly, trying to suppress the knot at the back of her throat.

[lostofcalavar]

"Probably not," Rishti said pleasantly, which earned him a look from his mother.

"You are of sound mind, my daughter," Sayiida said gently, smiling at her. "We've come to visit you, as promised."

[notqueenyet]

Aravis swallowed thickly, then gave up and crossed over to them, looking them over carefully. "You're real," she decided softly. "You came to meet me here? This isn't a trick?"

She wanted to believe so badly, but she held back.