[… His daughter. The one he had briefly mentioned, when he said he felt confident teaching even the most frustrating of students. She had not pried further, because it was not her business, but… She thinks of another father. Of how desperately that man had fought her, and how once she had him cornered… he had bowed his head and abandoned all pride just to beg he be allowed to see his child to safety before offering up his freedom in exchange. How tightly he had held that child, weeping shamelessly, when they had reunited and Hayame had been the one defeated on the ground.

… She had always derided such bonds. She’d always had to. There wasn’t room for such weakness in the breeding stables. Even her own brother… she had refused him affection, refused him even the title, because she could not risk being seen to rely on a man if she wished to be sold as a warrior. And now-

She also thinks of demons. Hopes that the image of her own relations hadn’t bled into communion like Fane’s thought had in to hers, but the voice and the way it says that word… it sounds the same. The same as how she says it.]

… You must forgive the question. It had to be asked. We are hardly bosom companions.

[It was not in her to know if those actions were true to him or not. Yet.]

The shadows stole the shape of… someone I know, as well. So I believe that of you. It is a foul thing.

[To truck someone like that. She’d almost- So that is what would have happened?]

… You have experience with it? Possession?