She sees the light ahead of them before any of her crew, a gathering near the ceiling of the Neath and then an arc downwards into the black waters of the zee. She throws her arm before her eyes, and is still left blinking spots out of her gaze.
"What was that?" a crewmember calls out in alarm.
"I don't know," she replies, "but we're checking it out."
There's murmurs, but her crew do as commanded.
"Thanks, but - I think just resting? And doing - relaxing things. My sister and I would - it's not singing, but it's close - at each other when one of us felt tired, or just whirl through the High Wilderness together in silence. I don't know what human things are like that, though."
“We could try human singing and running in silence? If it helps. I’m not much of a singer but I’ve been told I’m not cat screechingly bad, no offence Senna.”
Kim relaxes out of the last pose, shaking her arms out. Her face pinches while she ponders her next words. “What’s it like? The High Wilderness.”
"It's - different. I only remember being in the same orbit as my sister, and then fleeing through the space between realms and then briefly to here. The space between realms is - it's not the same kind of lawless as the Neath, it's. There's no sense to the world there. No rules, just a thrumming. My sister's realm... She kept it orderly. Didn't have any inhabited planets, even. The rules made sense and were clear and beautiful, but also - I think it's what humans mean by cold. I... Don't think I paid attention to the same things a human would, though."
“It sounds lonely. I’m glad you had your sister.”
Kim knows a lot about loneliness. Before the Ascendant, she had no one. Now, she guesses, she has Lillian, but for how long?
Met while Kim was attempting to kill her, Kim thinks to herself.
She does manage a small smile. “You too. I promise I’ll keep you safe while you wage war against the Chain.”
"We'll stay here a few days, keep our heads down, and then we'll head back into the city proper. I'm sure the urchins know a quick, quiet way to Ladybones road."
"Hah. Thanks. It's... A lot, I know. But I think, with you on my side... It might be doable."
Kim smiles broadly, and a blush comes to her cheeks. She coughs awkwardly. "Yes...well. I'll do my best."
She can't seem to stop her smile.
A few days later with no one kicking down the door of the shack, Kim feels Lian is safe enough to move on.
"We'll need to keep our heads down, but we can head back into the city."
"That's good. I like spending time out here with you, but - being around people's nice, once I have the opportunity."
"I've never much liked being around people. Probably why I like you," Kim says with a half-smile.
"Aw, thanks! Are there any people you do like? I don't want you uncomfortable when we're talking to others..."
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