"So, how long will it take to get there?" Rene questioned.
"Assuming everything goes well, likely early morning."
For a moment, everything remained silent except for the sound of the waves. Until Nihara asked a question that made him clutch his sleeve.
"What caused you to stay in that academy for so long?"
"It's... a long story. I don't want to say."
Before Nihara could think of something to say, Rene walked down into the cabin. She sighed.
"Right, I need to let him get comfortable first before I ask questions." she told herself, staring down at the sea below.
He's running from something. Or… maybe just not ready to remember.
Soon Rene had returned.
He leaned beside her on the railing, silent for a while. The wind whistled gently as she prepared herself for whatever he had to say.
"I stayed because I didn't want to be anywhere else," he finally said. "It was quiet. Nobody expected anything from me. I could just… disappear into books, training, silence."
"That sounds miserable."
"No. It was peaceful. But maybe peace becomes misery when you're just waiting to die in it."
Nihara glanced at him—not pitying, but thoughtful.
"I think you wanted someone to come shake you out of it."
"I didn't think anyone ever would." he said, voice low. "But you did."
"You're welcome."
A silence again, this one warmer.
She folded her arms. "For the record, I stayed in a coffin for two years once. So. Don't think you're the only one who tried disappearing."
He blinked. "…What?"
"Long story. I wasn't as philosophical about it as you, though. I just didn't want to talk to people."
They both smiled faintly. The waves rolled onward. Nihara knew there was more to Rene's story, but she also knew he wasn't going to admit it so easily.