Signs were taken and compared. Nigredo could not accept her words as fact: if he hadn't said anything, then-- The child cleared his throat. "Why are you upset, then?" he muttered, chancing a tentative glance upward. The statement was facetious; he did not really expect much of a response in return.

The subsequent questions, however, he could entertain, albeit the boy appeared torn on the subject. As if there existed two answers he could say. "...I saw them as friends."