Neo sat cross-legged on the floor, hunched over the box his mother had given him. He couldn't resist the temptation to open it again. Just for a peek. The emerald shard glowed in the evening light, casting shadows across his hands. Tentatively, he reached a finger inside and braced himself. When it at last brushed the sharp edge, he sighed; no zap. Just a docile piece of-(Sounds good.) Xyla put her hands nervously behind her back as she approached Neo for what she felt like would be the last time. Pausing for a second to recollect her thoughts, assuring herself that he would be fine with the two fish things. She sighed, partially because she was anxious and partially to gain his attention She asked him quietly "So when will I see you again?". A gale of whirling thoughts rushed through her brain as she attempted to not feel as if she had just lost her only friend to the grasps of his enforced responsibilities.
Then he heard a sigh. And a voice.
Slamming the box shut, he spun around. "W-what? Oh." Somehow he had gotten to his feet before realizing, "Xyla, I didn't see you there. Come in, I was just..." he paused, then gave a sigh and raked his fingers into his hair. "Wait, what's that smell?"