She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, her arms crossed over her legs, rocking back and forth, humming quietly to herself.
He had ordered her chains to be removed.
She was grateful for that.
But she still bled.
He quietly sat in front of the cell, looking at her. "You intrigue me, human." he said, with some surprise.
"Oh? Why?"
"Because you still do not break." he replied, with frustration thinly veiled in his voice.
"I reckon I'll never break." she said, lifting her head in defiance.
'Of course,' he thought, 'your pride is too great for that.'
They sat silently for a moment, neither wishing to speak.
"Your food is here." he stated, passing the bowl of miso through the grate. He had also given her rice today, she noted.
"Thank you." she said, picking up the simple wooden chopsticks and eating silently.
She used to refuse the food. She was more practical now.
She no longer dreamed of sunlight.
Though she often wished that her dreams could be so simple and innocent once more.
Her brown cotton dress was stained red.
And it had damp spots on it from where she had wept.
"Will you re-consider?" he asked quietly.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because what you offer is merely a simple illusion of sunlight, with no true form... No rest for my soul in that." she replied almost sorrowfully.
He noted that she looked angelic when she was stating her truth. Especially with that light shining on her face...
"What if I offered more than simply physical content?" he asked quietly, realizing he had accessed the root of the issue.
She did not answer.
"I see." he rose. "Perhaps I can change your mind after all." And with that cryptic statement, he left.
She stared at the wall again, sinking into foolish daydreams, constantly filled with black hair and red eyes.