True, there was a shrine on the Sea, but Hadama had not expected anyone else to make the trek in the cold Flowerbirth night to it. Hearing only one set of footsteps crunching over the snow, he had chosen to complete his prayer of gratitude before turning to face the newcomer. At first all he could see was the masking bundle of coats and furs that similarly his his own distinguishing characteristics, but there was a certain sparkle to the eyes tucked into all those mismatched layers, and the words that appeared in the air next to him could have had only one source.
It was... unexpected. In the grief he felt for Seren's recent loss even more so. He contemplated the stranger in silence, his face even more expressionless than usual, hidden behind a scarf as most of it was. Emerald eyes studied the boy, unhurried and thoughtful, giving away nothing of what he felt at this new revelation.
"Newly raised?" he asked slowly at last. "Or newly born into Caido?" If nothing else, the ages of Safrin's three remaining children - that he knew of - was proof enough that time passed differently in the stars above. Seren had explained as much, in one of the last conversations they had ever held together.
It was... unexpected. In the grief he felt for Seren's recent loss even more so. He contemplated the stranger in silence, his face even more expressionless than usual, hidden behind a scarf as most of it was. Emerald eyes studied the boy, unhurried and thoughtful, giving away nothing of what he felt at this new revelation.
"Newly raised?" he asked slowly at last. "Or newly born into Caido?" If nothing else, the ages of Safrin's three remaining children - that he knew of - was proof enough that time passed differently in the stars above. Seren had explained as much, in one of the last conversations they had ever held together.
