Ruan
Eight.
He greeted him with an easy smile, surprising himself at how pleased he was to see the magician again. He hadn't bothered with a carefully quiet approach. The man was all-powerful, after all, and had surely sensed him coming in whatever way it was that magicians did so. He himself would never truly know.
As he got closer, his brows drew together in concern. Something was off, not quite right, and naturally he immediately thought of Kilter. A pang of guilt bolted through him like a shock of electricity, for instantly worrying over the other man's son, for failing to find him as Eight had asked. His shoulders weighed a little heavier, his eyes dulled a shade more. But there was a chance he'd come for some other reason, of course. Hopefully, for some other reason. News, perhaps. Anything.
But suddenly he couldn't find his voice. He didn't want to ask a question that might have a painful answer. Had he seen him, had he returned home. Did he even remember Ruan. He glanced away, swallowing those thoughts before turning back. Maybe it was something else. Something with their Tephra and Taiga, perhaps. He bowed his head in respect before speaking again.
What can I do for you, King. He wasn't anymore, and yet perhaps he always would be.
He greeted him with an easy smile, surprising himself at how pleased he was to see the magician again. He hadn't bothered with a carefully quiet approach. The man was all-powerful, after all, and had surely sensed him coming in whatever way it was that magicians did so. He himself would never truly know.
As he got closer, his brows drew together in concern. Something was off, not quite right, and naturally he immediately thought of Kilter. A pang of guilt bolted through him like a shock of electricity, for instantly worrying over the other man's son, for failing to find him as Eight had asked. His shoulders weighed a little heavier, his eyes dulled a shade more. But there was a chance he'd come for some other reason, of course. Hopefully, for some other reason. News, perhaps. Anything.
But suddenly he couldn't find his voice. He didn't want to ask a question that might have a painful answer. Had he seen him, had he returned home. Did he even remember Ruan. He glanced away, swallowing those thoughts before turning back. Maybe it was something else. Something with their Tephra and Taiga, perhaps. He bowed his head in respect before speaking again.
What can I do for you, King. He wasn't anymore, and yet perhaps he always would be.
