#and it affected ephidel's feelings some in the final section

[artificidel]

She had promised Kent she would proceed with caution, but she also did not miss the way he hesitated in his responses to her accusations. It frightened her, she had never seen him that way.

There was one more person she wanted to check in on... He had been kind enough during the odd dream exploring flooded ruins. She had heard whispers, jokes perhaps, of throwing him into the abyss and letting him sink... But seeing as they were dreams then surely he would have woken up with them even if he had sunk to the bottom of the abyss.

She wondered how many people here wanted to throw him overboard and allow him to sink to the bottom of the sea. She had heard that there were odd things about him, but she hadn't noticed much herself. Her time with him had been brief; but he was quiet, and spoke in an odd manner. He was cold and clammy, but with the rain they all had been cold and clammy.

People avoided him, more so than they avoided Lloyd. He remained tucked away in a corner, hidden under his cloak. There was being alone, and then there was being lonely.

Marianne steeled her nerves and approached. They didn't need to speak, but perhaps just being near him would set others at ease? She leaned against the railing, staring at the horizon and the gentle waves.

He feels her approach. Expects it to be nothing more than another accosting him about his knowledge of what may be happening in Elibe.

But her essence feels the smallest bit familiar... and when she finally stood beside him, she said not a word. After a moment, Ephidel looks to her puzzled, but still, questions were not asked.

He tilts his head curiously, and then recalls. He knew her from the dreams in Rusalka. They had not spoken much then, but considering it now, she too tended to stand at people's periphery.

He blinks slowly at her, before returning his gaze to the sea. They stood together a while, sharing a comfortable silence.