fancy that

you trace my lines, stirring my soul

Remi's gaze grows considerably more surprised the more she lists until he too finds himself squarely facing her with his mouth partiality open. "I...had no idea." They were neighbours after all, and though the Greatwood and Grounds now acted like oil and water, still he was surprised to have heard nothing. "Is...I suppose asking if everyone is alright is a stupid question." Remi realizes, shaking his head.

Resisting the urge to say that something bad has always happened, the alchemist just swallows back a fresh pang of regret and self-loathing as he closed his eyes against the pinprick of tears and shakes his head. "It's fine." He mumbles lamely; apparently Remi was still able to lie to Isla even if she couldn't lie to him.

"I..uhm.." Stalling for time just as she was stalling for space, Remi opens his eyes. "The note I'd sent, about avoiding the festival..." Feeling heat rise to his cheeks, Remi rubs at a tear-track with his shoulder. "..iI didn't know it was a relic." He explains, having just now realized that Isla might have thought his WaRnInG had been a misdirection that he might get yet another relic. "I swear I didn't know."

THE ALCHEMIST