[The orbs brought so many different people to this place, the purpose and higher meaning behind each one slips by him. It could be a game of chance- get enough and they might be able to fulfill the objective. More bodies to throw at the problem, unfeeling and efficient.
Or-
He doesn't move until Nikolai climbs from the water, watching as the drops skitter down his back, the tendrils of darkness slithering across his skin. Like a mark, or a collar.
Like merzost, only there's no Small Science in this boy and he's knows it. The Darkling finds his own clothes, drying off slowly with a towel from the bathroom before finding the salvaged garments from the room of things. Dark green this time, and grey pants that feel impossibly soft.]
And what crimes might that be?
[As if there hadn't been a prolonged and uncomfortable stretch of silence between Nikolai's words and his own reply, as if he isn't watching for clues that might explain what is going on. Eyes locked on Nikolai's form, as if he was a puzzle that didn't make much sense.]
https://c.tenor.com/nk3ZsJ2BMiEAAAAC/vigilante-comfort.gif
Or-
He doesn't move until Nikolai climbs from the water, watching as the drops skitter down his back, the tendrils of darkness slithering across his skin. Like a mark, or a collar.
Like merzost, only there's no Small Science in this boy and he's knows it. The Darkling finds his own clothes, drying off slowly with a towel from the bathroom before finding the salvaged garments from the room of things. Dark green this time, and grey pants that feel impossibly soft.]
And what crimes might that be?
[As if there hadn't been a prolonged and uncomfortable stretch of silence between Nikolai's words and his own reply, as if he isn't watching for clues that might explain what is going on. Eyes locked on Nikolai's form, as if he was a puzzle that didn't make much sense.]