[What Alice says... actually makes a good deal of sense. The villagers here behave in a way that Rynéus wills it, whether he wants them to or not. If the Stone -- Shard, whatever -- were trying to "protect" itself, would it not do so in a way that would draw less attention to it? Or at least coax people further away?
[As the realization sinks in, Jade glances down at Rynéus, who doesn't seem to regard Alice with the same fear or nervousness as he likely did with some of the other Shard-Bearers. In fact, he's cautious, because Jade had told him to be.]
It's okay. You can trust Alice. She wouldn't hurt you.
[They might not have known each other for very long, but Alice has never given Jade any reason to believe that she would harm a child, even if said child were carrying one of the Shards they're supposed to be looking for.
[As if jinxing that thought, the boy holds out his necklace tucked in his shirt collar -- the same one with a lingering sense of creeping shadows -- and looks up. "Alice... My sister told me there are people who are looking for this. Can you help me hide it?"
[Jade flinches.] Rynéus...
[He looks confused. "What?"
[Okay, maybe he's being a little too trusting for her liking.]
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[As the realization sinks in, Jade glances down at Rynéus, who doesn't seem to regard Alice with the same fear or nervousness as he likely did with some of the other Shard-Bearers. In fact, he's cautious, because Jade had told him to be.]
It's okay. You can trust Alice. She wouldn't hurt you.
[They might not have known each other for very long, but Alice has never given Jade any reason to believe that she would harm a child, even if said child were carrying one of the Shards they're supposed to be looking for.
[As if jinxing that thought, the boy holds out his necklace tucked in his shirt collar -- the same one with a lingering sense of creeping shadows -- and looks up. "Alice... My sister told me there are people who are looking for this. Can you help me hide it?"
[Jade flinches.] Rynéus...
[He looks confused. "What?"
[Okay, maybe he's being a little too trusting for her liking.]