â€œYou felt it,â€ he stated, kneeling in front of her once heâ€™d realized that she was a little uncomfortable with him standing above her. He hadnâ€™t even done so to intimidate her, but because it was the only chair so he offered it to her. â€œThereâ€™s aâ€¦ a ward. So itâ€™s safe here, and no one can hear us. No one can pass it except for the two of us.â€ He neglected to say that the barrier was only spun with himself in mind, but that of course she could walk through it without leave from him. Maybe it was a testâ€¦ It certainly would have explained why he had unwound once on the other side. Even gods could be wrong on occasion.<br/><br/>â€œI need toâ€¦â€ For maybe the first time in his life, he wasnâ€™t sure how to begin. Sheâ€™d probably only be irritated if he started with what she already knew. â€œTell me what you know about yourselfâ€¦ Not this pitiful, nearly human existence, but your real self. Thisâ€¦ this now, it doesnâ€™t matter. Itâ€™s what was then, and what could be. And there are so many things that could be! They all hinge on what we, no, what you will do, Nehmahati, my dear heart.â€<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">--------</div><br/><br/>There were two of them once again. Hunched in the deepest black of the tunnel. Except now, one of them was holding a squirming puppy. The little beast was far too terrified to manage noise anymore. Its eyes rolled white and it foamed pitifully, scrabbling for purchase against hazy, undefined black. The poor pup was an animal in the most pure distress.<br/><br/>â€œLookit â€˜imgo, Foxy!â€ The sound this creature made could hardly be called speech; the words were slurred and hissy with excitement and it squeezed the dog even harder. The black fuzz of its arms almost seemed to sink into the horrified muttâ€™s fur and it finally managed a high whimper of fear.<br/><br/>The other, much the same as its shadowy partner, smiled. Seemed to smile. Its outline flickered in a manner that very well might have expressed morbid, curious, delight.<br/><br/>They watched theâ€¦ thing â€“ wutcha tink idis? â€“ whispered the shade hugging the puppy. Its partner only stared at the blotch of white in the tunnel, struggling with a male figure. â€œHush that thing, Ghost. Theyâ€™ll hear it.â€ It was content to wait, enjoying this bit of entertainment whilst they did.