The lowering sun found them sitting on newly purchased beach towels a few yards from the quartet of awnings that served to protect the core of the party, meaning the food and drinks.  Each had sampled the day's fare, though Wren to a lesser degree but none the less she had gamely sampled everything that was to offer no matter that it was beyond even her broad experience with international cuisine.

            Now sated, with a bottle of ice cold water each, they enjoyed a respite from the anarchy around them by turning all their attention to each other.   The noises of people faded, leaving the hiss-crash of incoming waves and occasional mew of gulls.  Wren felt ... peaceful.  It was strange, to be in the center of a maelstrom but detached.  She was smiling.

            "What do you think of my family," Nathaniel said quietly.

            She thought about it for a long time as she watched the sun drop down to touch the surface of the sea then said "I never expected to find myself in a situation such as this and as you know, I have little experience with anything approaching this riot but I ... like it."

            There was a look of surprise in Nathaniel's face that made her smile.   She reached out and placed a hand on his forearm.

            "The people here are so ... casual and they aren't out for something," she explained.  "Nor are they trying to impress or influence.  They do not see me as Wren Collins, daughter of Aidan Collins and Sandura.  They are not trying to pigeonhole me into my 'proper' place in a school hierarchy.  It is nice being more or less unknown, I hope that it lasts, at least for a little while."

            There was a flash of green as the sun vanished into the sea and in the retinal afterglow they sat silently.

            "Wren?"

            She looked over at him.

            "Yes?"

            He didn't say anything but she could read his thoughts in his eyes.  He loved her … and that was all that mattered.