Kenneth
Ah... He hadn't realized that what he said would be heard and disturb her story. He wanted to do something to cheer her up after seeing her hurt expression, but he didn't know what. In the end, he just raised his hand and moved it over to where hers was, laying his hand over hers.

Back in the slums, this would cheer him up by keeping his hands together and believing that he wasn't completely alone, so surely this would also help...?

He certainly thought so.

"Ah... I see." He then wondered about something. "Did those people ever make an attempt to atone for their sins...?" It seemed doubtful, but there would have been at least one or two who tried.

"Still..." He mumbled as he gazed up at the starry sky, his legs dangling off the edge of the rock. "If this is a resting place... Those Great Beasts must still have a soft spot in their hearts for us, or at least a shred of kindness for mankind." When he considered it... "They're like guardians," And isn't that admirable?
Faviola
*Juna gazed over at him as he placed his hand over hers. Gradually it dropped down to her own hand and, after a short pause, she moved it away and retreated into the security of the cloak he gave her. She said nothing of the gesture and instead decided to answer the question that followed.*"Some were sent forth to give an offering to the beasts in hope that they'd spare them of the punishment, to allow the future generations to not have to suffer the same fate as them. Several had entered this forest, but... None had returned..."*Again she paused, ears perking up as if to listen out for something.*"Many figured the beasts had completely closed themselves off from mankind... And that the people that passed through here were killed by them. No one knew for certain... But in time... The famine had eventually ended and rain had returned to the land... And still... They never did see the beasts again... But... They believed that they had at least accepted their apology... Even if they'd never get to see them again..."
Kenneth
He didn't know what kind of emotion he had on his face when she withdrew her hand away from his—was it apologetic, regretful, understanding, despondent, or something else entirely? He himself had no idea.

In the end, it didn't really matter—life went on.

"In my belief," He added, wistfully. "They will see the genuineness of your acts if you continue to strive for it and seek forgiveness." He looked down from the starry sky to the earth. "In the end, it is their decision whether or not to forgive you, and all you can do is accept it."
Faviola
*Juna's ears flicked at his words and eventually she looked back over to him. She wasn't exactly sure what he meant by that, but it did make her think about the spirits she had saw before. Maybe they were trying to tell her something through this message. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on her part again. Not every person she met was a sign from the spirits. Were they?*"I think I saw a... Great Beast once..."*She eventually whispered aloud, unsure if the short encounter was real enough to be worth sharing.*