The party sits in silence, the water brushing the sides of the bath in little waves. Then a sound rings out. Amadeo's mouth falls open, Anna covers her own.

Tyrion holds his right cheek, a furious Hope standing before him with her left hand extended. Her teeth are clenched, her body shaking.

"Ho-" Tyrion starts, before her left hand cuts across his right cheek.

"You...I felt sorry for you. I thought you were just sick. I thought you were unwell...You lied to me. You lied to all of us." Her voice is even, but the fury is palpable.

Tyrion says nothing. Then his vision is blocked by her, as she kneels and pulls him to her form. "I was worried. When we came back, I thought to get you some warm milk. But when I pulled that blanket back and you weren't there...I didn't know where you'd gone. We were lucky someone shouted that they'd seen you in the alley, or we'd never have found you in time."

Amadeo maneuvers around the side, patting the halfling's shoulder. He says nothing, but the sentiment is felt through his trembling form.

Anna watches for a moment before piling into the hug. "I'm glad you're alive, Tyrion...Or Finn."

"Tyrion to you, lass." The halfling can't help but to smile, though it falters soon after and he looks down to avoid letting them see the wet tear stains coupled with watery condensation.

"We've got a week." Amadeo speaks after several seconds of silence. "There's a spell Master Yuri taught me that could get us to Lorelei fairly quickly."

"What? Did you not hear me, lad? I said I'm not going back." Tyrion stands back from the group, his lower body still underwater as he runs a hand over the scar on his belly. "I'm going to find out what he knows about where my mother is. I'm not going home."

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"Tyrion, you helped me save my family when I thought I wasn't strong enough. Now I get a chance to return the favor. Besides, you won't get anything out of a man like that. He sold you out to save his own skin and his reputation. The better idea, I think, would be to go to Lorelei. We can be there in a day or less, then spend some time looking for information. If you're satisfied, we'll return and join the expedition. If you're not, we'll keep searching."

"You idiot, I'm not-"

"Shut up, little man." Hope folds her arms with a huff. "You told yourself you'd never be involved with your family again. But you jumped at the chance to find out what happened to your mother. What if she's hurt or imprisoned? Or worse? You'd never forgive yourself if you found out later that you could have helped now."

Tyrion looks down at his reflection in contemplation. He examines his dull blue hues, the energy and youth drained from them over the years. He runs a hand through his hair, closing his eyes.

"You helped me begin to accept myself." Hope leans forward, looking the halfling in his eyes. "You've watched our backs. You've given us words of wisdom. It's time we do the same. You need to go home, and we're coming with you."

Anna sits up, taking Tyrion's hands. "We swore we'd face our demons together. Gotta make good on that promise, right?"

The halfling shifts his gaze back to the water, rubbing the scar on his belly. "You are a bunch of fools. You'd go so far for me?"

"You've gone this far for us." Amadeo nods his head. "Blood and water."

"What does that mean, anyway? Your dad kept saying that." Anna looks back at the wizard, head tilted quizzically. He chuckles and pats her head softly.

"It's something he always told me from back when he started dating Mom. The water in your cup as you sit for dinner together, the tears you shed for those lost and those found. The blood and sweat you put into build something together. That's what makes family; blood and water."

Tyrion closes his eyes, his shoulders shaking. "That's...Your dad's a good man."

"I know." Amadeo claps a hand on the halfling's shoulder. "Give me half an hour and we can be ready to go." He stands, wrapping a towel around his waist and heading for the door.

Tyrion chuckles, splashing his face again. "Alright then. But I'm taking the lead on this one."