"I'm still learning to trust my instincts. Though...I sometimes wonder if I should. They've...led me wrong many times before." His instincts had said to trust Gongora, after all. More than trust him. And his instincts had told him Grand Staff was a brilliant idea. Not to mention everything else that had come after.

Life was too terribly confusing most of the time. And the present wasn't any exception, as Locke started to lean forward. He felt pinned, like when Her Majesty or Kaim would stand before him and move in close, to look into his eyes. Was Locke hoping to get a glimpse of his soul?

But mostly it reminded him of Jansen, who would suddenly stop and stand, practically nose to nose, searching Tolten's eyes for a hint of one of Gongora's favorite little devices. Still smiling, Tolten offered as much question as he could think. Softly and more curiously than anything.

"Locke...?"