Strain seemed to have taken hold of the man, in a manner that reminded him of their initial conversation. Klavier had gotten upset when the nature of their existence was revealed, hadn't he? Now he appeared specifically disgusted with Nigredo's true form or an aspect about it. Although the child could not fault him for the conclusion, there again came the sting of rejection.

Nigredo bit at his lower lip--eyes locked on the food before him--not knowing if he should continue the story or let the man have his say. Either was inevitable; he just didn't know which was less desirable.

Klavier decided for him when he touched on something, the very question that hung over the variant's head like the edge of a knife. A fragile part he never knew cracked at the inquiry, and without meaning to, the warmth around his eyes brimmed over. Water droplets fell across his cheeks and onto his lap, things that really only Klavier should catch at the moment. Everyone else was too focused on their own business.

"How am I supposed to answer this?" he finally asked, calm despite the expression. "When everyone wants me to say something different?"