[Outlander, you have returned to the present time.]
Shard stumbled out from the White Mist Gate, leaning against the wall, gasping for breath. He had never been so happy to be illuminated by gas light; he even wanted to write a poem to praise it, but then remembered he didn't possess such a skill.
Having left the City of Eternal Night, all the damages caused by the terrifying darkness vanished, and because he had nearly melted into the darkness earlier, Shard now felt an unaccountable familiarity with the normal night. Yet the lack of spirit remained unresolved, but fortunately, this was already the Sixth Era.
If the ladies saw him drinking from the pink vial, they might suspect he was secretly taking medicine, questioning his health. Therefore, Shard made sure no one was present before he gulped down the full vial of perfume:
"Oh, finally alive again!"
He was very satisfied with this.
