“ rei☆, ” he says, tone light and dancing. yes, he places one hand over his heart, as if ready to deliver a divine proclamation. “ i am certain after today, there will be a never-ending night! the sunrise can do nothing to stop it. does that frighten you? or, ” and here, he places one finger on his chin, pensive and comically exaggerated. “ is it for me? you're so considerate. you must know i'd never survive without the light! ”

there is no healthy body without a healthy mind⸻there is no healthy mind without sleep. veritas speaks from some seldom-sought, tender place, clasped between his ribs as a book unfurls in his hands. he is not tired⸻rather, their discussion has been invigorating, but anaxa's vigour will not last forever, and he cannot go on much longer like this. veritas spots it in the worn curl of his spine, the exhausted lines on his face. the body can only take so much.

“ you'll rest as long as you need to, ” he refutes, reaching to help the thick blanket over the other man's chest. “ you are running on fumes, anaxagoras. keep it up, and there'll be nothing left. ”

words come clear, perhaps harsh⸻really, the reminder of impending death?⸻but veritas figures it is best to be true. minced words would be an insufficient meal for the one before him.

poor, mad, cursed knave. a new blade to turn on the skies.

still, that is not the current matter (though peruere's growth will be fascinating to witness). anastasya watches the damselette with the patience of a snowstorm, the sort that weathers any attempt at warmth, and sees it. reminiscence. it may be that her title was not wrought from bloodstained hands, but there was certainly blood all the same, only lighter; dappled by moonlight. as such, it cast a shadow⸻a large one, for she remembers the protests of other members at columbina's nature, both godly and moral. it did not matter then. it does not matter now.

there is inherent closeness here, from one stricken divinity to the other. her voice cannot melt, but it will soften slightly⸻only another god can fathom the endless deposit of earnest emotion that comes with mortal prayer, the contradictions humanity breathes into each syllable. in this way, kindness. even this question is an offering; speak to me, describe your own suffering. will it be tender when held by my tongue?

“ but still, it lingers. ” it does not pass by, nor can it vanish. “ are you wistful? or, perhaps, you will become the source of light you needed for her. ”

when columbina became a harbinger, they were an organisation in their infancy. anastasya herself had been barely-crowned, her father's dying words still bright in her ear. but she was not lonesome for long; others joined, insistent, and became connections. “ i would hope you, too, have found your home here. it is my wish that your fellow harbingers are family. ... it is quite endearing how some have made such space for her already. ”

“ admittedly, i am not. ” one of his hands tightens into a fist. “ are we certain they are responsible? i heard one of her men were near the site, but i assumed they'd been questioned. ”

today, it is only the two of them, and alice is fascinating. a strong will and skilled inventor. a carefully controlled spiral. gold can be fond: even if it is in the way a tiger is fond, of the hand that prods it through the bars. hungry instinct, a desire to discover the taste; a wonder at how much it can bite before it's pushed back at.

“ oh, you're right. how could i have underestimated the adventurer of the realms? ” it's easy to pick up on what she's saying, how alice's exaggerated concern and surprise is really the truth. interesting. to seem so untouchable, to parade a facade of strength and control, and still be rattled by only words? what has gotten into her, recently?

ahh, she's gotten ahead of herself. in her eagerness, rhinedottir has leant forward, eyes blazing, and abandoned her pretty teacup on their mutual table. she should maintain her decorum. besides, rhinedottir is not quite up to date with everything⸻ duty as a shade can occasionally call.

“ my sincerest apologies. ” she's taken the hint. a polite smile and she's leaning back. “ i meant it only as a compliment. your resolve is admirable. tell me, how is mondstadt? i heard some frightening events took place. ”