Then it seems that we have heard similar stories. But one must wonder as to the truth of those stories. [ He knows well enough that there is no easy answer to the question of the veracity of the stories, but he still cannot help but wonder.

And if he were thinking about it at the moment, he would wonder what it was about Alkaid and her people that lead to the attacks against them. If he could right those wrongs, he would do so without question. There are so many things he wishes he could change and fix if only he had the power.

Her smile brings a wide one to his own face, and he reaches for the closest part of her that he can reach, which turns out to be the bottom of her hair. He lightly twines a finger in the strands but does not pull. ]

A part of me argues differently, but perhaps I shall choose to not listen. [ He has done his best to be unassuming, unnoticed, and certainly not grasping for too much of anything. ] One may learn by simply listening and by being in the right places at the right times. There are always rumors swirling about, and certain individuals lack the- control, I suppose, needed to keep silent.

So, of course, he has not confirmed it to me with his own voice and words, but the sources seem believable enough.

[ Or maybe he only wants them to be. Either way, he chooses to believe them for now. He would ask if he truly has helped, but he contents himself by beginning to lightly stroke the strands of her hair beneath his fingers instead. ]