[He notices the looseness of her hold, but doesn't pull his hand out. It's alright. He doesn't mind.]

[The possibility of him being alive. See, that's where they were similar. He understands the same pain. It's the very thing that pushes him forward for Lapis, for whatever is left of Garnet. When Malkuth continues, however, his face darkens - there must have been something she saw that only you could manage.]

[Ha.]

[Again. A pawn on a board.]

Do you know...what she said to me?

[A pause. His voice sounds as rough as sandpaper, dragging over dry skin. His fingers twitch, tense in Malkuth's hold.]

"Well, it's a shame about those children. That's one less pretense for you to wear."

[How hateful. How vile. How cruel. But was it? Was it a pretense? Was he just busy pretending to be something he never could be.]

I cannot...see eye to eye with that false serpent, though I can understand her. I refuse to.