[ she doesn't hide the way her eyes trail toward his quiet tells. is it her place to ask, even as he does? ]

The way something shook yours, perhaps.

[ the smallest duck of her head. no, she won't bite her tongue. no longer. ]

I cannot know what brought you to that point... nor can I know if you saw that darkness as I did, if that is true. A flame of selfishness, that burns away even those that choose to stand by you in the haze... before you can put meaning to their figures. When everything clears, they are ashes, and you are alone with the feelings that follow a candle snuffed out: regret, guilt, shame. Grief? I had lied to myself, thinking I was beyond such things. In the way we all do, by creating extensions of that City within our selves.

[ wordy poetry, as she does. ]

So I ask you the same thing you've asked me, Red Gaze, as I have met your curiousity. For I have resolved to throw away all pretense and all hesitation, and I wish to know your answer.