Liem raises his eyebrows a little, above the dark barrier of his lenses. The way that Emet-Selch speaks of Yima is less warm, to be sure, than he’d noticed Howl had. But, he thinks, Howl seems like the sort of man who would prefer to speak warmly of everyone in his life.

“I know that she brought us together, and reunited some individuals who were thought to be lost forever. But I am not sure I wish to pledge myself to her cause, no.”

He looks over at the assembled memories dancing and drinking just a short distance away. According to those in Springstar, he might see them all again one day, if they succeeded in their aims.

“Yima has not been able to prove herself to me in any way that mattered, at least thus far. The same could be said for Cyrus. But I have been thinking… I will not be able to learn more about either without working in the service of at least one.”