Acknowledgment and clarification might have appeased the shadow, albeit the end of a continuation remained up in the air. He simply shrugged, sticking to silence.

Nigredo, on the other hand, despite staying as quiet as the other, heard more than necessary. Took in less than perhaps was intended, but it was more than enough. The child could see the effort: Senna was not attempting to dismiss the issues altogether.

As for what they happened to be addressing, he had to be taken care of. "I want to tell you," Nigredo answered, his voice dull. "I don't enjoy misunderstandings, for one. For another--" There was an abrupt silence. Something didn't strike as quite right. "In any case, it's impossible to leave...it. What do we do?"