Eric was happy to help with the kids, in truth, he absolutely adored playing with them, so it was just a bonus to give Ceres and Horatio the time they needed to talk.

Horatio trailed after Ceres, letting her guide him to the kitchen, "I suppose I technically haven't eaten in about a week..." he mumbled.

"A WEEK?! My goodness. What have you been doing that was so important you didn't have time to eat? No brother of mine is going to go another day without food in his belly." She asked, seating him in a stool at the island and started to pull food out of the fridge to make him something to eat as well.

Horatio found a seat to collapse into, "It isn't a big deal Ceres... I've gone longer. When in stopped time, food and water become of little importance." he closed his weary eyes for a moment. Whatever he had been up to, it had apparently been quite taxing.

Ceres said no more until his cup of tea was ready and ran her hand gently along his, "I'm sure it probably was a big deal... You always had to do something grand or at least that's what Juno said..." She also set down a plate of stir-fry and rice, a bowl of miso soup and a bowl of sliced fruits.

"...Did you come and visit me when I woke up? Juno and Pallas said you were there until they finished flushing out my soul gem..." She asked after a moment. She sounded a bit hurt that he hadn't stopped by for at least a visit.

"I checked in one you a few times" Horatio replied, finding the tea and blowing on it softly before taking a sip, "but I couldn't stay" his fingers toyed with the cup, "... I may have been putting this off for too long..."

Celeste rubbed the back of her neck, "Oh... I see.... Hop-Horatio. THere's...There's something I need to tell you. Something I learned about.

"You may call me Hope" he assured her, "I think it's something I need to get used to..." he took another sip, "what is it?"

"REALLY!" A wide smile pasted itself on her face. It made her all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

"Well... A couple of weeks ago, Loki ran off and I went after him... He went to a well... A well that grants wishes but it is also a well of knowledge....

It offered me my hearts desire and it told me something I did not know... That I could retrieve a piece of your soul gem without True Father knowing... Because it fell out where you fell that day..."

Horatio blinked and cocked his head to the side, "a piece of my gem? What would that do?" he looked a little confused.

"I dunno really. I've never heard of a soul gem breaking but it was true father who did it... Probably- depending on the side of the piece, give you access to your memories of your first life and maybe even some of your magic."

Horatio fell silent, thinking about it, "... It may hinder as much as it could help me" he finally replied, "While I'm sure I could use the extra boost of power, I don't particularly want random memories to surface. Anything to do with you or Pallas, Juno and Vesta are fine... but I don't exactly care to remember anything of True Father, or that world. I have decidedly left that behind." his void eyes stared blankly at the plate of food he could smell in front of him. He was hungry but he didn't particularly feel like eating.

((Gah. My internet went out and didn't post my line ><))

Ceres seemed hurt by his words, "But... This could be the edge you've been looking for to help you in your quest!"

"I'm not sure that it is" Horatio replied, "at any rate, I've come pretty far since I started. I might even be able to figure it out in the next time line but..." he lifted his head, "I know you've been doing better, I just haven't known if you were well enough yet... for me to bring us to the next one"

"Hope! True Father kNOWS you're here somewhere. Even if you figure it out in the next time line he could still come after you and in your current state you'd be powerless..." She sighed and sat down, rather frustrated but she left it go for now.

Celeste looked down and unbuttoned her shirt just enough to reveal her soul gem, it was a very dark pink. "...I don't know what will happen regards to that. "

"Well I'm not leaving until you're well enough, so there's that at least" Horatio replied, either very calm about all this or too tired to fight her much on it.

"M'k..." Ceres stabbed some stir fry and held the fork up to Horatio's face. "Mmmm I'm filled with vitamins and yummy goodness that will help you on your quest. Won't you please chooo choo me?" She said in a funny voice.

Horatio blinked. "What are you doing?" He inquired.

Ceres shifted her lips to the side, "Getting you to eat. You need to keep your strength up. How will your Princess think of you if you show up all worn out and tired? Now open up."

Rolling his eyes Horatio held out his hand to take the fork. "I'm hardly an invalid. I can feed myself"

Ceres waited for the right moment and poked the fork into his open mouth as he talked. And let it out in his mouth, "Yes but you weren't gonna start eating without a little encouragement right?" She laughed lightly.

"It taste alright? There wasn't much in the fridge. Pietro must have a long work cause it always seems to get empty afterwards"

"Argnmnum num." Horatio munched and swallowed before taking the fork from her. "Yes yes I get it."

"Good. Cuz no brother of mine is gonna go hungry." She looked down and moved his hand a little to the left, "Hehe." She smiled widely.

"I think you're enjoying this far too much" Horatio commented as he ate.

"Pallas said you were the only one would could get me to eat my veggies as a child. I'm merely returning the favor." She smiled widely.

"You are too kind" he smiled a little, eating up the meal. Now that he had had a few bites, he felt ravenous and wolfed the rest of it down.