He did not miss the past tense, but she had mentioned ghost whales before. She would not be the first to forswear the sea after encountering the vast, dangerous cetaceans, so he merely nodded. He had no wish to test her fear or push her towards a situation where she would be uncomfortable. The landfolk had always been curious about the seafolk...
Which made it all the more difficult for him to understand why so few chose to travel to the City now that it was open to them. Something to do, perhaps, with the allure of the forbidden being so much stronger than that which was permitted?
His musing was refocused on the Ancient who traveled with him as she asked her question, and he considered it with thoughtful gravitas. "Mmn. There is always light. But it is not bright. It is like the Celestine. Eternal twilight." He considered a bit more before adding: "The plankton light the waters." A further pause before asking: "Can you swim?"
Which made it all the more difficult for him to understand why so few chose to travel to the City now that it was open to them. Something to do, perhaps, with the allure of the forbidden being so much stronger than that which was permitted?
His musing was refocused on the Ancient who traveled with him as she asked her question, and he considered it with thoughtful gravitas. "Mmn. There is always light. But it is not bright. It is like the Celestine. Eternal twilight." He considered a bit more before adding: "The plankton light the waters." A further pause before asking: "Can you swim?"
