we need love, but all we want is danger; any

[Kushiel]

Kushiel was used to strange things happening. He had, in fact, come to expect them. If nothing strange were to happen he would consider his existence a particularly large waste of time. He couldn’t just stand around contemplating the meaning of the universe. For one, it gave him a headache, and for another, it was an exercise in futility. Kushiel didn’t like to exercise, especially when it was futile.

Kushiel was standing around, looking at the Chamber’s tree, when the girl began to shimmer into existence. He didn’t realize it was a girl at first, just that it was something. He blinked stupidly at the spot. When a form began to emerge his interest was piqued and the large gray stallion made his way over, his steps fast with anticipation. He was standing very close to the spot when the girl began to take shape as a girl. He grinned for a second, but the expression quickly turned to a scowl when her emotions began to come through. She was panicking, and Kushiel could feel it as an uncomfortable knot in his stomach. Some gift, being able to read emotions you didn’t want to read.

“Oy!” He called through the fog that still seemed to cling to her. His expression of welcome was now tainted.

“Calm down you’re giving me a headache.” Kushiel was unaware that yelling at someone to calm down as not the best way to make them do so. As always, his needs took a front seat even though he could be privy to other’s emotions. If anything his new power made him less sympathetic. Now everyone else’s bad moods affected him directly. It was a heavy burden he had to bear. But still, it could be worse. At least a girl had appeared instead of some stodgy old man. Kushiel looked her up and down with a critical eye.

“Are you from the future or something?” In Kushiel’s expert opinion, this was the most likely scenario. Perhaps she had come back in time to warn them that they were headed down a path of destruction? Yeah, that would be interesting. Kushiel looked at the newcomer expectantly, eager to hear her ghostly prophecies.