Time seems to be frozen in the utility room.
The sound of breathing is the only sign of its passage.
Staring at the pile of letters between them, both Vila and Name Day realize that their problems demand answers.
Vila: Comrade Windsong did not say whether it was a good idea to return.
Name Day: As I just asked ...
Name Day: Would you consider staying here, even after knowing what was in this letter?
Vila: See, your question shows you don't think the truth will stop me.
Vila: Looks like neither of us have changed our minds.
Vila shakes her head, taking the letter off the typewriter.
Vila: You know I'm still going, and I know you'd prefer for us to stay here.
Name Day: Alright. Since you know the truth, I won't keep it from you any further.
Name Day: Are you setting off tomorrow?
Vila: If possible, sure. We've waited for too long—Too long not to know.
Vila: All I want is a chance to see it with my own eyes.
Name Day: I'll try my best to ...
Name Day: sigh Remember I told you what happened that day when the "Storm" fell? That Avgust went out alone to take a look.
Vila: I remember. But back then, I didn't know much about the "Storm," less even than what I know now.
Vila: I thought he just got lost.
Vila: I had no idea what he might have seen.
Vila looks to Avgust, who is taking each letter from its envelope and piling them up.
Their different layers, one after another, begin to resemble, at least in the mind of Avgust, a layered cake.
Avgust: A Napoleon Cake!
Avgust: Look, Vila!
Vila: Thank you for the cake, but did you forget what I said, Comrade Avgust?
Vila: Don't go out alone.
Avgust: But since you're here for these "eternal souls," I think we can help.
Avgust: But I didn't leave my comrades!
He points at the door. They see the edge of some clothes hidden behind the door frame, accompanied by grouchy whispers.
???: Don't push me—I can't hear anything!
???: What do you expect? Comrade Avgust just sold us out!
???: Let's just go in already!
Vila: I had no idea we had so many listeners.
Vila: Come out, all of you. Pyotr, Pasono, Nina, and anyone else you've got with you too!
Vila: I have something that I must tell you.
Nina: Ms. Vila ...
Vila: I know what you want to ask, and yes, we're going home.
Vila: And if all goes well ...
Vila: We will be going home tomorrow.
The hard-packed snow crunches under the weight of feet, big and little, as the team led by Vila inch close to home once again.
Avgust: Vila?
Avgust: Why didn't we come home from the pier?
Avgust: Turtles in the sea place their houses there and then go on shore.
Vila: We're not going home for good, Comrade Avgust.
Vila: This is just ...
Vila: A visit.
Vila: Just like the ones Comrade Windsong used to make, remember?
Avgust: Then are we guests? Does that mean we stay in the hotel tonight? But there are still houses for us, right?
Avgust: I can't see the pier or the statue from here.
Avgust: All the rooftops and the snow become one. The snow has covered everything.
Vila: We're here ...
Vila: ... because this is the best place to see all of Rayashki.
Vila: But ...
Vila: I see nothing. No pier. No statue.
Vila: They're gone.
Avgust: Both sea foam and snow all eventually vanish.
Avgust: Vanish, is that the word?
Vila: I don't know.
Vila: There are a lot of questions that I can't answer.
Vila: Besides, I'm not always right.
Avgust falls deep into his own mind, but Nina cautiously takes Vila's hand and asks her in a trembling voice.
Nina: Ms. Vila, wasn't the mine on our way home?
Nina: But this doesn't look like the way home anymore.
Nina: It's strange.
Nina: I just want to see mama again, and then we can go back to the SPDM with Pasono.
Nina: Why?
Nina: Ms. Vila, is this really Rayashki?
Vila: ...
Vila holds her hand even tighter. This time, she doesn't bend down to wipe the tears from the little girl's face.
There is no soft word of comfort left in her, only hard truth.
There was a path from here down to the town. During snowy days, people would tie red tape on the trees to mark the way home.
But now she sees only white, no colors at all except the sunlight reflecting on the snow.
The road home is gone.
Vila: Yes.
Vila: This is still Rayashki.
A moment later, she turns around.
Vila: Let's go, children.
Vila: It's getting cold out. It's time to go back.
Avgust: Is the visit over, Vila?
Vila: Yes. It's over.
Name Day: Madam ...
Vila: Thank you very much, Mr. Name Day.
Vila: Just as we agreed yesterday ...
Vila: I will join the Foundation.
Name Day: You're more than welcome! But, please, if you need, you can spend some more time here.
Vila: Thank you. That's thoughtful of you.
Vila: But it won't be necessary.