As always, the change came at midnight. Vadim felt it wash over him and strangely enough, he thought it felt different. Anxiety that plagued him turned to a peace and a different anxious energy. Was this...excitement? He wasn't sure himself. It didn't take long to feel the horrible emotions that plagued him through a year of loneliness to come crashing in again though. It only spurred him to take to the road faster. Like before, he left as soon as he could saddle the horse. If his maroon coat looked a little more faded, then it only meant that he wore it like a badge of dishonor, oblivious to its color in the faint predawn light.

He arrived at the familiar home even earlier than before. Passing through town, he saw how winter affected the humans. It hadn't been particularly harsh, but the winter came too soon after the despicable war and therefore took longer for the folk to recover from. However, the familiar scents and sounds of spring washed over him as he passed. Streamers of colored ribbons adorned lamp poles and wildflowers burst along every path. This little home he visited was no different. Rather than go straight for the door though, Vadim first sought out Belle and Belle alone, a small bouquet of roses hidden beneath his coat, waiting.