Sleep. Right. When was the last time Nigredo had a proper nap? That might have explained the slip. He turned back long enough to watch his brother as they exited doors and stepped into the main corridor, feeling more tired than was probably necessary. "Yeah, I guess..." He fingered the hatchet for a bit as his mind attempted to stabilize.

Fortunately, Albedo offered a distraction, which Nigredo picked up without hesitation. "Oh, uh," he began, lacking his characteristic eloquence. "The device was small, probably something you could carry in your hands." Oh, no. That was far from Albedo's question, wasn't it? He opened his mouth to continue.

But are you sure that's all right? You're gonna tell him about something that gives back your powers when that's what screwed you both up in the first place?

To shut it again in fear, head whirling back a second time. He had heard that, hadn't he? It had to be a voice.