( If there is any universal truth he knows, it is this. Death of the body and death of the self are two faces of death, and he had staved it off for years.

It needed only wait, though, until he was willing to bargain for it himself, and now it had him. Perhaps the Goddess keeps it bay, for a time, but he knows it would find him again soon. It needed only wait last time; it needed only wait again.

Adelis, at least, could thrive here, even when Mishka is gone. Objectively, that is good. )

If you'd like.

( Mishka is good and takes his hands from Adelis, offering the sunscreen to him as he shifts to sit beside him.

He thinks he prefers that Adelis rejected him, because he is not sure if he could tolerate much more vulnerability. )

There must be some place about here that you like, still. I've come to enjoy the cafés, myself. The convenience and luxury here is admirable; the Heights nobles might be jealous of what they give so freely here.

( The nobles, and all the luxury they sold out themselves and their families for... There is a satisfying irony that surrounds it. )