"I think it's okay," he whispered back reassurance, but he moved slowly and cautiously as he closed his fingers around the compass and drew it out to examine it. He watched the needle spin and then settle but... it definitely wasn't pointing where it should. It kind of reminded him of his Obsidian Compass that he'd traded Maea for all those seasons ago, but this one felt...
Well, even more special. Tal bit his lip and squeezed Alys's hand, studying the runes with a squint as he tried to make sense of them. Something tugged at his attention as he tilted the compass to catch the light and he glanced up to see the ghostly distortion again, feeling its eyes - or whatever passed for them now - on him. He hesitated for a moment and then lifted the compass towards it--
But before he could complete the action it was fading away. Tal released the breath he hadn't realized it was holding and turned back to Alys with a rueful smile. "I think maybe it's... a gift, kinda. Like whoever that was wanted someone t'find it. Maybe so it wouldn't go to waste? It's some kinda magic, I just can't figure out what it's pointin' to..." His nose wrinkled as he wrestled with the mystery. He didn't waste too much time in bafflement, however, and he shot his partner a sly grin. "Want t'follow it an' see if it leads t'somethin' excitin'? Like a treasure?"
Well, even more special. Tal bit his lip and squeezed Alys's hand, studying the runes with a squint as he tried to make sense of them. Something tugged at his attention as he tilted the compass to catch the light and he glanced up to see the ghostly distortion again, feeling its eyes - or whatever passed for them now - on him. He hesitated for a moment and then lifted the compass towards it--
But before he could complete the action it was fading away. Tal released the breath he hadn't realized it was holding and turned back to Alys with a rueful smile. "I think maybe it's... a gift, kinda. Like whoever that was wanted someone t'find it. Maybe so it wouldn't go to waste? It's some kinda magic, I just can't figure out what it's pointin' to..." His nose wrinkled as he wrestled with the mystery. He didn't waste too much time in bafflement, however, and he shot his partner a sly grin. "Want t'follow it an' see if it leads t'somethin' excitin'? Like a treasure?"
