» An Unexpected Party

This means less to him, perhaps, than to the others. What Seiji desires awaits him elsewhere. It will not arrive as a gift, given back freely. He blinks in surprise, first as the Protector speaks and then as the gifts appear, but he harbors neither optimism nor envy. Not optimism for what he himself may receive. Not envy for those who are pleased with their gifts. He does not belong here. He feels better receiving nothing than he might taking anything, at all. He has already acquired much here in the Rift. Much he does not need. He lingers for a while, watching anyway. It is warm here, pleasant on his narrow frame, and he has no pressing appointments elsewhere. And it is a good thing: Seiji spies a familiar black and blue shape slicing downward through the air. Waker! he thinks, and his heart gives a little jump. Familiarity, maybe. He begins to move in that direction, but he soon finds himself obstructed. A tricolor filly — black, gold, white — stands in his way. She reminds him of someone. Seiji hesitates, blinking, for a moment struggling between Requiem and not Requiem until the stranger speaks. Zahra — her name. She wants something from him — companionship maybe — and silently Seiji bids farewell to Waker. He smiles at this girl instead, and inclines his head slightly toward her. He cannot give his name, of course. He can only nod, and look upon her kindly. He wonders if she has received anything, but as his eyes skate over her, he notices nothing. And she speaks of nothing. So he gestures at the Protector, at the party at large, as if to say, This is nice, isn't it? Small talk becomes so difficult without the ability to — well. Talk. Seiji If you only listen with your ears I can't get in

@Zahra