Even made his way back towards the house without incident. The Malboros, true to Marluxia's assumptions (though Even rather hoped that they were rather more than mere assumptions) didn't bother him on his return journey across the expansive lawn. They wiggled at him, both with their stalk-mounted eyes and their unpleasant little tentacles, but didn't get too close. He didn't even smell them.

He let himself back into the palace through the kitchen and saw, to his surprise, Neliel.

"Good morning," he said, a delay in his spotting her and speaking indicating a small amount of hesitation. "Or afternoon, I'm not entirely sure any more."