Janius gave a nod in thanks to Colours, but didn't get the chance to say so.

"Well, there was that, and the dance, and the swimming, and the hunt we went on," Janius said after Kaleeth with a small laugh, "But yes, I think it was curiosity that had us meet." Janius gave a smile to to Kaleeth, but addressed Colours again. "Do you have someone you hold dearly as well?"

It was obvious to Janius that Colours was unlikely to say yes, given his introduction to Meesei, but he wanted to make conversation anyway. It was only after asking that he noticed Colours' odd hidden demeanour. Janius played it off as social anxiety for now.

[hr]
For a few moments longer, Sabine scrubbed at her skin with her waterlogged tunic, getting at all the itches that her sweat had created. She laughed lightly at Peiter's words, even if his comment was just an idle observation. "It is much nicer than the air," Sabine said.

Given how comfortable Peiter looked, Sabine regarded him thoughtfully for a moment, then lowered herself back so that she was laying down in the water as well. If it weren't for the occasional stones on the floor of the stream, the soft silt might have been as comfortable as any bed. Whether it was a conscious decision, or simply the lack of space in the stream itself, Sabine positioned herself such that the side of her arm and leg was up against Peiter's side. She used Peiter's upper arm to prop her head up out of the water, regardless of any cramps that might cause him. She stared up into the canopy, observing the low, orange sunlight making patterns over the thick foliage.

"Peiter," Sabine said just quietly enough to be heard over the babble of the stream, "What are your parents like?"