His scarred grin somehow eases her. It takes a little strain from her as she watches him with curious eyes. Battle worn, rugged, and yet he is still kind. Most soldiers struggle with conversation, deterred by socializing in any way other than fighting. His voice, rough granite against her ears, sounds better than what she had anticipated. Somehow Magnus is able to distract her for a fleeting moment. In one instant she forgets why she is here and why Eight is so heavily embedded in her memories and why her life seems so blurred and lost. A hum resonates through her as her eyes fall to the ground, thinking, trying to hard to remember.
Heaven's Gates, she suddenly hears him say. There is adoration twisting in his voice, an underlying passion when he welcomes her and offers any information she may want. Suddenly, he and the kingdom are an open book. Shiya lifts her head and focuses on the world that unravels in front of her, no longer blocked by Magnus. A jagged smile returns to her scaled lips as she eases a step forward. "Heaven's Gates," she repeats with intrigue. It's such a different sense here, a different world entirely from the Valley or any place she passed on her way here. "What distinguishes the Gates from all other places? Everyone seems to have sort of a sanctuary, or landmark, or something that gives the kingdom more allure." Or so she feels like that would be correct. Each kingdom is in an entirely different environment; there has to be an infamous feature in each of them, right?
A warm breath coils in front of her nostrils as the autumn air begins to nip at their skin. She shudders when a breeze slips through and dances across her back, but she forces a chuckle. "This time of year is beautiful, but I've never been one for the cold." Her obsidian scales are not enough to insulate her. In attempt to tip the scale Shiya walks just a little faster, hoping that warmth will be attained if she moves more. A sheepish grin adorns her exotic face when she glances over her shoulder to look at Magnus. "Scales and cold don't go together," as though he doesn't already understand that. If only she had adapted well enough to the seasons or if she had the ability to grow a heavy coat of fur when the temperatures plummet from the summer.
If only.
Shiya eventually stops to face Magnus, their eyes meeting again. Her curiosity of him is spreading across her like a blanket. "What brought you to live here? Truthfully," because honesty is what she always wants.
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