Mazikeen’s grateful that Bolder’s first instinct when hearing ‘aquatic neighbours’ is to think of pretty nereids and not sea monsters. She doesn’t miss the light, almost-teasing tone and her smile brightens, warming her orange eyes. “Oh, would you like them to be nereids?" It’s difficult for her to remember that Bolder is grown now, and all too easy for her to assume only innocent reasons for his interest in fair sea creatures.
She shakes her head a moment later. “I’m not really sure what they are, I just heard that they lived beneath the sea. If you’re feeling curious, I certainly wouldn’t mind knowing a little more though.” Mazikeen had not felt curious enough to explore. Part of her knew she should, part of her acknowledged that she could do a better job keeping those within Hyaline safe if she had more information.
Maybe it was foolish of her to not be overly concerned, to feel safe because of Hyaline’s elevation, but if Bolder was up for investigating and then filling her in - that certainly seemed like a win-win.
He continues, answering her question about whether the shadows hurt. She relaxes a little when he says it doesn’t, though some of the tension works its way back into her as he continues. Mazikeen forces herself to believe Bolder is talking about the tingling sensation of a leg being asleep, not the horror of being trapped inside of your own mind while another consciousness was in control.
It was most likely magic from the mountain, she reasons with herself. There is no reason at all to think the curse has jumped hosts.
It helps that he follows up this statement by saying that he feels like himself. So when he asks if that makes sense she’s able to offer him a smile and tell him quietly. “I think that makes sense. I’m glad you still feel like you.” She adds and it alleviates some of the weight that had been pressing on her chest.
@bolder