"I know," she said firmly. "I know about Tsu's sister."
Kasia tilted his head in friendly recognition. Then nodded. "Wasn't she the tree spirit?" He seemed to laugh.
Seiko turned fully, braced her feet on the floor, smoothed her uniform. "She loved the earth. No magic required." Her eyes focussed now on his reactions. Those damned spectacles gave her nothing, only the wrinkling of the skin around his eyes. "I know where she went."
Kasao seemed burdened now by everything. His bag, his folders, even his clothes hung heavy on him. He twisted his neck awkwardly, looked around for somewhere to put his papers. "It has been a long day," he said.