[ She supposed she shouldn't be surprised, that he needed nothing from her. He had not seemed the type to hold such conflict within him, and Akua herself knew that his devotion to Zenith was strong. He seemed to assume people would choose it, as if it were the most logical. Ah, if only they had met years ago, when she'd fashioned herself a Dread Empress, and thought to overtake all of Praes through sheer will and destruction alone. They would have made for interesting companions -- his brawn and her brains -- she thought he would be a compliment to her magic.

But she knows that his offer is not altruism, because of that. She whetted her lips as he sat down in front of her, unwilling to go.

That alone, meant that this was outreach, perhaps? ]

Do you? [ She asked, her tone not ragged, but it lacked that teasing lilt that she normally used. As if she was bone tired from far too long trying to hold back, from hearing her worst fears reflected back at her. The voice of the person she'd thought would want her to choose Meridian the most questioning it. Her will was strong, it should have been nothing.

Her guilt, though, was used to plague upon her, even now. ]

How do you think you can help me? By still taking the Zenith from me? I'm sure you would not lack a suitable well for it.