S E I J I
A pleased smile warms his features as Kiada bows, her showmanship more endearing somehow than all the kindnesses she has offered before. Her remark soon after, though, lifts his eyebrows. “Oh — how did you discover it?” he wonders. Is it possible he, too has changed in some way? Would he know if he had? Yes — Seiji thinks decisively. He would know. He knows what kind of person he is. Even if he can’t remember why.
They spend some time considering the Spire. Her musings are not lost on Seiji, but he has little more to add, so he remains silent. Instead he blinks at the tower, and then at Kiada, his joyful expression fading. It seems ominous now: a jailer looming over them, ever prepared to bare its teeth. Could it be responsible for his presence here? For the arrival of the other Outlanders, as well? Suddenly Seiji feels cold again, though the furs Kiada lent him still block out the worst of the night’s chill.
When she speaks again, Seiji is grateful for the change in subject. He doesn’t answer immediately, though. Instead, he hesitates a moment, the emotion in his dark eyes difficult to decipher. “Do others live there?” he asks after a moment, his tone neutral. He isn’t quite certain what gives him pause, except for the usual things. She is a stranger despite her kindness. He doesn’t know the rules of this place very well. And he doubts he would be able to defend himself against most of Caido’s inhabitants, if the worst should happen. He has no desire to appear rude, though.
“I would like to see,” Seiji adds, deciding to err on the side of accepting hospitality. The warmth of a faint smile is back, on his face and in his voice. “Is it far?”
A pleased smile warms his features as Kiada bows, her showmanship more endearing somehow than all the kindnesses she has offered before. Her remark soon after, though, lifts his eyebrows. “Oh — how did you discover it?” he wonders. Is it possible he, too has changed in some way? Would he know if he had? Yes — Seiji thinks decisively. He would know. He knows what kind of person he is. Even if he can’t remember why.
They spend some time considering the Spire. Her musings are not lost on Seiji, but he has little more to add, so he remains silent. Instead he blinks at the tower, and then at Kiada, his joyful expression fading. It seems ominous now: a jailer looming over them, ever prepared to bare its teeth. Could it be responsible for his presence here? For the arrival of the other Outlanders, as well? Suddenly Seiji feels cold again, though the furs Kiada lent him still block out the worst of the night’s chill.
When she speaks again, Seiji is grateful for the change in subject. He doesn’t answer immediately, though. Instead, he hesitates a moment, the emotion in his dark eyes difficult to decipher. “Do others live there?” he asks after a moment, his tone neutral. He isn’t quite certain what gives him pause, except for the usual things. She is a stranger despite her kindness. He doesn’t know the rules of this place very well. And he doubts he would be able to defend himself against most of Caido’s inhabitants, if the worst should happen. He has no desire to appear rude, though.
“I would like to see,” Seiji adds, deciding to err on the side of accepting hospitality. The warmth of a faint smile is back, on his face and in his voice. “Is it far?”
The rain is full
of ghosts tonight
of ghosts tonight
