Ari/Aspel - 2:30 AM
"I'm sorry," Ari managed after a few moments, once she was no longer gasping for breath. "I shouldn't find it so funny." Even if it was hilarious. "Next year," she promised, "your birthday present will not be a fortuitous accident... or quite so haphazard." She resumed her pace; now that they were no longer walking the passage between districts, it seemed natural to speed their steps. Even in the Theater District, most windows were dark. It seemed that the majority of this night's revels had ended.
"I have rehearsal in... oh, I suppose coming up on seven hours," she said with a sigh. "I'll get what rest I can before then, but I was unwilling to cut my evening short for it." The last few days had been rather exhausting; she found she was rather looking forward to the relative normalcy of rehearsal. At least no one would be trying to kill her. "But I don't intend to go anywhere for at least awhile," she added. "Adventure is all well and good, but I may have overdone it just a little." Her head was still aching, off and on. For now, it appeared to have subsided.
They were on her street now, and she could see the lit-up windows of the Tipsy Sheep ahead. The stairway was empty, for once - most people didn't linger outside on Sunday nights, it seemed. Ari didn't relinquish Aspel's arm, though, even as they approached the steps. "Walk me up?" she said.