all of the strangers are gone

"Ah, yes. All that seems like the exact thing one should spend their childhood doing," Isla remarks with a smile that comes off more like a wince. She doesn't apologise, because she knows Sunjata knows she's sorry, but it doesn't make it any easier to consider the past and the time they can never get back. (And even if Isla isn't showing any signs of age thanks to being Ascended, she imagines she'd have her share of silver in her hair these days). But it's underground and... is both not enough and the exact right amount of information, and it's with a wrinkle of her nose that Isla gives his forearm another gentle pat. "And then he killed you," she guesses, shifting to pick up the book again from the side of the bed. "Do you want me to keep reading? Maybe it will help you drop back off for a bit." ISLA