By the time Phyrn’s chosen were all gathered in Kiunde House, Krey had managed to relax. Checking the group’s inventory and adding his shopping to it had helped; tedium had its value at times.

Pippy had been the first one through the door; he hadn’t needed to see to know. She’d thrown it open with force, and was rambling loudly. “And when we got to the very top of the third ascension, there was a huge, temple-like structure!”

“It was more like a fancy climbing frame,” Livia clarified, “made of huge stone pillars, wooden ladders, and floored perfectly with marble. If I had to guess, it’s a lookout of some kind.”

“It was sat up there all alone, and there was no one around! It was so eerie!”

“But very pretty,” Livia added.

Emilie let out a puff of breath as her bottom impacted with the soft, cushioned surface of the sofa in the main living area. “It sounds like you two had fun; I’m glad. I myself made it no higher than the second ascension; I started feeing woozy half way up, so I aired on the side of caution and returned to this level.”

“Even from there, though,” Krey said as he entered from an adjacent room, “the view is still spectacular, is it not?”

Emilie adjusted herself to look at him, now reclining rather than sitting. “It most certainly is! Though, I suspect it is even better from the very top.”

“Hauntingly so,” Krey breathed. He looked over at Livia and Pippy. “I’m sure you two agree, don’t you?”

“Absolutely!” Pippy leapt on the spot.

“Definitely,” Livia nodded, stretching her arms up as she surrendered to an oncoming yawn. “Unfortunately, I think today is starting to catch up with me. Which way to the beds?”

Krey pointed down the hall. “Yours and Pippy’s room is the second on the right.”

Livia smirked at him as she walked through. “I hope you picked out a good one for us, Krey.”

“I think,” Emilie groaned as she got back to her feet, “I shall retire as well. I don’t suppose you picked a room out for me as well, did you?”

Krey put a hand on the back of his hand, averting his eyes momentarily. “I did. The second room on the left looked the most comfortable…”

“How considerate.” She placed a hand on his chest oh so lightly, just briefly as she went. “Thank you, Krey.”

Then it was just Krey and Pippy left in the living area. The room was faintly lit by the pale, late twilight blues, dusk fading out as night drew in. Kiunde House sat outside the glow of the higher ascensions’ crystal underbellies, only getting natural light. Krey stepped out onto the balcony, gazing out into the boundless desert.

Pippy joined him, facing the opposite way and leaning back against the banister. “Something’s bothering you.”

Krey gave that a solitary chuckle. “Do you see that in my soul?”

Pippy shook her head with a smile. “In your shoulders. You’re tense.”

Krey sighed. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Don’t ask me to not worry about a friend,” Pippy blurted. “That’s like asking me not to breathe! So, do you wanna talk about it?”

“No. Uh, I mean…” he sighed again. “Look, I’m sorry to be blunt, but I’ve never been good at the whole talking thing.”

“I know a bold-faced lie when I hear one,” Pippy tutted. “Besides, with you, I also know better. We have been travelling together for a while now; I know you’re a talented conversationalist.”

“I was being more specific.”

“You just can’t take the armour off, can you?”

“What?” Krey scrutinised her directly now. “I’m not wearing my… oh, I see what you mean.”

Pippy turned to lean side-on so she was facing him fully. “See? It’s not hard! I think… you just don’t want to.”

“You’re right,” he said more tersely than he’d meant to, “I don’t.” He looked back out at the view. The only light out there now was from the stars above. “Look, I know you mean well, but… it’s not the sort of thing I can just talk about. Just… thinking about some things from a long time ago.”

She stepped closer to him. She smiled. “Fine.”

He had to double-take at that, as if he’d been slapped in the face. “Come again?”

“I said that’s okay. I understand. I get thoughts like that sometimes. The only person I think I could share them with is sleeping in the other room, second on the right. They’re not the easiest feelings to share.”

“No…” Krey murmured. “They’re not.” He exhaled audibly through his nose. “I sometimes forget about what you’ve been through. You and Livia. When I didn’t know her so well - when we’d only just met, more or less - I found her easier to talk to, but…”

“But now you’ve made proper friends,” Pippy finished for him. “And that feels different to acquaintances you think you’ll know for a short time.”

“With people like that, yeah,” Krey nodded, “it’s easy to just say things, truth or lie, but now… it’s just more difficult to say anything.” He felt some of the tension in his shoulders go. “I will say this, though; you continue to surprise me.”

“Still don’t like me, huh?” she regarded him with mild amusement.

“And continue to surprise me again, and again…” he tittered while shaking his head. “I must admit, it has been… a slow process warming up to you. You’re loud and obnoxious at times, and your connection to the arcane—”

“I know,” Pippy toned impatiently, “Emilie is bothered by it too. It’s really nothing to worry about.”

He turned to her fully again, and eyed her up and down silently before replying. “Are you certain?”

Pippy felt a grave shiver. “Uh… as certain as I can be, I guess.”

After a moment more of staring at her, he walked off the balcony and headed for the bedroom he’d selected for himself. “I suppose that will have to do. Goodnight, Pippy. I’m sorry to have burdened you with these contemplations.”

“N-no problem.” She waved as he went. “Goodnight, Krey.”

She remained on the balcony a minute or two longer. She wondered if she’d pried too hard with Krey tonight. No, she decided. Men like Krey are dying to have their hearts pried open. She did concede, however, that she was likely not the one for the job in his particular case.

When she went into the second bedroom on the right, she felt her heart skip a beat. The room was awash in the faint, silvery glow of starlight and moonlight, perfectly swathing the double bed that Livia was sleeping in. She was on her side, facing the window, the covers only up to her chest with an arm holding them against her. Her untied black hair cascaded across the other pillow. Pippy couldn’t resist running her hand through it, and it a warmth welled up inside her. It’s softer than the exquisite bedding, she marvelled.

She got undressed and slipped under the covers with her love, slowly, carefully intertwining their legs and wrapping an arm around her stomach. She nuzzled the back of her head, and took her scent in deeply. Her whole body was rocked by sudden goosebumps. She drifted off to sleep all too soon, and she did not dream, for no dream could’ve matched the silent, tranquil moment she’d just melted into.