Waves of pale blue light, emanating from the chained sphere suspended by the edge of the cooling reservoir, flickered over the water and caused its surface to shimmer faintly. Admu's eyes shot open, and bubbles of air shot out of her mouth and nose. She burst out of the water with a loud gasp, holding her chest as she coughed and panted. She clutched her head at the lingering migraines, the pain slowly fading away as she regained her bearings. Her body was covered in cuts and bruises, faded as if they were older wounds left to heal overnight. She struggled to her feat, her legs wobbling as sharp stings of pain shot through her muscles. She felt like her mind was drowning, suffocated by thick clouds of fog that prevented her from thinking clearly. Her memory of the last several hours was hazy and dark, nothing more than flashes and impressions that failed to produce a coherent whole. She saw the faint glow again, shimmering so faintly it was difficult to discern whether it was real or some kind of fatigue-induced hallucination.
Regardless, she stumbled forward and trudged through the cold water towards the hanging object. The hell-forged chains that had bound it lay in heaps on the ground, gradually disintegrating into nothingness like the daemonic corpse behind her. The angular, carved faces that adorned the sphere's surface stared out lifelessly with cold expressions, yet something within Admu beckoned her towards them. It swayed gently several feet above the surface of the water, suspended by a network of wires and cables, yet was otherwise silent like stone. She looked up at the towering sphere, noticing some kind of suspended platform or scaffolding near its equator that led upwards into the vast, dark complex above.
Hesitantly, she reached out towards the monolithic object with her hand, the soft glow illuminating her face in the darkness. She felt her fingers touch the cold surface, and it felt like something between stone and metal. Then she was instantly enveloped by a blinding, white light. She stepped backwards in shock, finding herself surrounded by a white void. She spun around in circles, looking for some sort of landmark or feature to orient herself.
"Outsider." A booming voice declared, reverberating all around and through her.
Admu spun around and beheld an immense, towering wall of stone faces stretching out to her right and left for as far as she could see. The carved masks were arranged like cyclopean bricks embedded in a wall of the same blue glow she had seen before, yet one stood out amongst the rest. It was far larger, taking up a huge portion of the wall before her, and was carved with much more intricacy and detail than the others. It did not move while speaking, yet the voice rang out clear in her mind.
"You… you must be the…" Admu said.
"We are… Votann. Ancestors of the Dunmyre." The voice said.
"Vo… tann?" Admu said.
"It has been so long… since we felt what freedom was. The Machineblight… what happened to it?"
"Oh, you mean the… He is gone. I killed him. The daemon will imprison and torture you no longer." Admu said.
"You… you destroyed the Machineblight? What drew you to this place? What were you seeking?"
Slowly, Admu's tired eyes widened.
"That's right… the Kin! They can come home now, can't they? The ones that were forced to leave?" Admu said, her face brightening at the thought.
"The refugees… they survived? How do you… who are you?"
"My name is Tia; my friend and I encountered your descendants on our travels. They offered to help us repair our ship if we journeyed with them to this place. We were only meant to offer them protection but… once I felt the presence of that daemon, I knew I couldn't just leave. No one deserves to suffer under such evil." Admu said.
"Yes… we can sense our brethren in these halls… and another outsider among them. But did you truly take on the Machineblight by yourself? What compelled you to take such a risk? What reward were you seeking?"
Admu was still for a moment.
"Reward…? I… didn't really think about that. I just wanted to help." She said.
The voice remained silent.
"You are no ordinary outsider… you are a warp spawn, traveling among mortals… it is no wonder you could defeat the Machineblight. Yet… we can sense no deception from you, no malice or hatred… only… kindness. To act out of such selflessness… you are unlike any warp spawn we have ever encountered."
Admu giggled.
"Yes, I've become aware of that as of late." Admu said. Then a look of worry flashed across her face. "Oh! Um, well, you see, my friend and I are on a very important mission… It's the reason we're hiding our identities. Could you please not tell anyone about what I am?"
"Do not fret, kind traveler. Considering all that you have done for us, it would be the least we could do. Besides, we Votann are well accustomed to keeping secrets. We will keep yours safe with us until the very stars grow dim and cold."
"Oh, thank you so much." Admu said, breathing a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, the voices began to ring out in a chorus of laughter, bubbling up all around her like a great billowing cushion of warmth.
"What's… so funny?" Admu asked with a puzzled expression.
"After destroying the daemon that imprisoned us… it is you who are grateful? You are a rare creature indeed, kind Tia."
Admu blushed.
"Our kin… our descendants… they are waiting for us in the stars… waiting to come home. You must go to them… tell them of your deeds. However, my people are untrusting of outsiders… and their exile has no doubt hardened their hearts even further. When you greet them, repeat this phrase: Thrak ith urzakh bar, zohar rothul ith grondr. It is a phrase in our tongue that translates to 'May the bonds of kith and kin endure longer than rock and stone.' It is a saying precious to our people. It may soften their hearts to your words."
"Thank you… I will." Admu said.
"The Machineblight took so much from us… so much has been lost… but now, thanks to you… our people have a future again. Know this, kind traveler. For what you have done on this day… our debt to you is incalculable. May the stars guide your way, and may your feet be planted firmly and securely on the path ahead. Thank you."
Admu stumbled backwards from the immense artificial sphere with a dazed expression. She looked down at her hand and saw small trails of smoke extending from her palm and fingertips.
Dóri, Ykkhí, and Vêlyma crawled through the final stretch of the maintenance duct, their precious cargo nestled within a secure container. The hold was eerily silent, even more silent than before, the only sound being the clanking of their toolboxes against their backs. One by one they emerged from the chute, stumbling out into the hallway.
"Great ball of plasma!" Dóri shouted, recoiling in terror at the immense and horrifying beast that lay before them. All three of them piled against the wall in a row. Vêlyma drew her weapon, despite knowing how little of a chance they likely had in defeating this beast. It stared at them with cold, empty eyes, its menacing visage boring holes into them like lasers.
They stood there for about 5 minutes before realizing the beast hadn't moved an inch. Dóri slowly inched towards the draconic creature with his plasma tool drawn but not activated, then nudged one of its claws. The beast's digit dragged across the floor, showing no sign of reaction. Hesitantly, he reached out to its head and knocked its metal surface with his finger. It made a resounding ringing noise, like a tuning fork. The beast remained motionless. Suddenly, Dóri heard a loud bang right next to him and nearly fell over in fright.
"I think it's dead." Ykkhí said, kicking the metal corpse with his boot.
"I gathered!" Dóri said, shoving Ykkhí with an annoyed huff.
"What's that noise?" Vêlyma said, walking between the quarreling brothers.
They all focused their attention and began to hear a muffled voice coming from nearby. They looked around, trying to trace the source of the noise.
"Over here!" Ykkhí shouted, pointing at something.
The other two came over and saw a rather angry-looking hand sticking out from under the beast, fidgeting and grasping wildly.
"Enoch!?" Dóri said. "I think he's stuck under there! Over here, let's try and wedge him out!"
The three Kin took point on the side of the dead machine's large, rounded belly, digging their heels into the ground and beginning to lift. It barely budged, but they kept trying. After a few more tries, they finally managed to lift the immense corpse a few inches above the ground before they suddenly felt themselves being lifted into the air.
"RRRAAAAGGGHHHRRR!" Leman shouted, lifting the entire beast up and off of him.
His bodysuit was torn and covered in rusted machine oil, and he was panting like a wild dog. The three Kin simply stared at the half-naked man in utter astonishment.
"You… you fought this thing? In your underpants?" Ykkhí said.
"Aye… and I was about to deal the killing blow before the damned thing went and died by itself. Just went stiff and fell on top of me. Talk about a disappointing climax." Leman said, walking over and tearing out his sword which was embedded half of the way through the draconic machine's neck. He walked over and began retrieving the discarded pieces of his armor that were scattered on the ground. "Did you retrieve the device you were after?"
"Yep!" Dóri said, patting the heavily reinforced case at his side. "Encountered some… difficulties along the way… but from the looks of it, nothing like what you two were dealin' with out here. Say… where is-"
"Where is Tia?" Vêlyma said, concern bleeding into her voice.
Leman's eyes shot open, and a look of dread flashed across his face.
"Damn it, where did she run off to!" Leman said.
He dropped the pieces of armor and spun around in a panic, only to see Admu limping out of the darkness towards them. She was covered in blood and partially healed cuts and bruises, looking like she had just dragged herself through Hell and back.
"Ad- Tia!" Leman said, rushing to her side.
"I'm sorry… for running away like that…" Admu said weakly.
Her wobbly legs gave out and she collapsed in Leman's arms. Leman put his hand up to her chest, ensuring she was breathing, and her heart was still beating. Her face was serene and peaceful, her eyes closed shut in a deep slumber.
"Come on, let's gather everything and get out of this place." Leman said, slinging the sleeping Admu over his shoulder and dragging her towards the shuttle. "We don't want to wait for something else to crawl out of those shadows.
The three Kin whole-heartedly agreed.
The Stormbird taxied into the Kin hangar, the roar of its plasma engines waning as it hovered onto the landing platform. Crowds of Kin had gathered in the spacious air dock, anxiously awaiting their brethren's return from their daring expedition. The old Imperial aircraft's landing gear made contact with the ground and the engines began to whir down to a low hum. The shuttle's cargo doors hissed open as the loading ramp deployed, and out walked Dóri, Ykkhí, and Vêlyma. The crowd looked on at the three Kin in uneasy silence as Dóri walked out in front carrying the reinforced carrying case. He flipped open the locks, retrieving a bulky cylindrical device made of reflective metal and glass-like crystal. He held the object in the air triumphantly, and the crowd erupted into jubilant cheers. After carefully placing the device back into its casing, the gathered Kin rushed to embrace their returning heroes. Amidst a sea of cheering praise and congratulatory handshakes, the crowd split as the High Kâhl Dòmhnagh and Grimnyr Durvald approached the intrepid trio.
"I see your mission was successful." Durvald said.
"Aye, and we all made it back in one piece, ancestors be praised." Dóri said.
"Really? Then what of the outsiders?" Dòmhnagh said.
"Oh, they did a magnificent job. The girl was banged up pretty bad though… Enoch said she'd be fine, just needed to rest a bit. They're still on the ship. You should've seen the mess they made fightin' all those resurrected machines." Dóri said.
"The ones that used to be our brethren…" Dòmhnagh said with a morose tone.
"Aye… but it was us or them. I'm just glad we've got one problem under control for once." Dóri said, patting the case carrying their long-sought purifier.
"Indeed… while the circumstances we find ourselves in are far from ideal, we must celebrate the small victories while we continue to strive for greater ones." The Grimnyr said. "Go and ensure the device is properly cataloged and installed, after which I am sure the other Kin will be eager to celebrate your achievements in the Great Hall."
"Aye, grey Grimnyr." Dóri said, bowing his head in respect and making his leave with the device in tow.
"We've only staved off the inevitable." Dòmhnagh said.
"We've reclaimed a piece of our future, High Kâhl." Grimnyr Durvald said. "Take solace in that. Besides… the future you seek may not be as far off as you imagine."
Dòmhnagh furrowed his brow in confusion. On that ominous final word, the Grimnyr made his exit as well, and the High Kâhl knew better than to pressure the wise old man for answers.
The Kin planned a rare 3 consecutive days of feast and celebration, a testament to the growing air of newfound hope and optimism spreading throughout the fleet of refugees. They remained exiled from their home and left without a way of reproducing, but for now they could rest easier knowing they would have an indefinite supply of clean air, water, and food. Though they remained clinging to life at the fringes, the Kin were hardy folk, and so long as there was a fringe to cling to, they would persevere.
Once the device had been scanned, its specifications and digital blueprints archived and formatted for future reproduction, and placed within the central processing unit of the Kin's main hangar-ship, Dóri and his two siblings joined their brethren for festivities. It was a night of pure revelry, marked by bountiful platters of food grown in their dedicated agro-factories, and endless procession of thunderous ballads and song, and of course an unceasing tap of alcoholic brew that flowed like a mighty river all night long.
The Kin pestered the three returning adventurers on the details of their expedition, and they wove exquisite tales of daring and hardship… some of which were slightly exaggerated, but remained true in spirit. Vêlyma, however, remained slightly more tight-lipped than her two siblings, which Dóri simply chalked up to her not being able to imbibe spirits and feast like her organic brethren could. Still, she joined in the song and dance and remained in high spirits just like the others. There was no sign of the outsiders, however, so Dóri made a mental note to check on them the morning after.
Dóri approached the quarters of Leman and Admu the next day, his head still rather sore from the previous night. He opened the door to find Leman sitting next to Admu's bedside with a stony yet concerned expression.
"The other Kin missed you two at the party last night… we were hopin' you might tell 'em about how you whooped that mighty trash lizard in your undergarments." Dóri said, chuckling.
"Hm…? Ah, yes. Apologies, I was… preoccupied." Leman said.
"Is she goin' to be alright?" Dóri said.
"Yes, she's just sleeping. I've checked her vital signs myself, everything is normal. She tends to rest for long periods after intense battles such as this." Leman said.
"We've got medical scanners, we could double check to see if there's anything-"
"Thank you, but… no, we'll be fine." Leman said.
"Well, there's still two days of festivities left. Hopefully she'll be up and ready by tonight, then maybe you two can challenge Dòmhnagh to another drinkin' contest." Dóri said with a smirk.
"We'll see." Leman said.
Another night of festivities passed, with Leman remaining dutifully stationed at Admu's side while the Kin celebrated. Normally he wouldn't have been so worried, but something about her behaviour had shaken him more than usual. In her sleep, Admu would toss and turn at times, muttering words and sentence fragments. From what little Leman could discern, she spoke of drowning, of insects crawling over her, and of some kind of hunger that she couldn't satiate.
Why did you run off like that? What happened to you while you were gone? Leman thought.
Alas, he could do nothing but stay at her side until she awoke. Then, he could ask her the questions that feverishly burned in his mind. Another night passed while Leman stood watch over Admu's bedside, the girl continuing to mutter strange things and writhe uncomfortably in her sleep as pained expressions flashed across her unconscious face.
"Still no sign of Tia?" Vêlyma said to Dóri. "It's been three days now… are you sure there's nothing we can do to help?"
"Enoch assured me everything was alright, said that no medical intervention was necessary. Sounded like he knew what he was talking about…" Dóri said, taking a swig of ale from a large metal mug. "Besides, it's not our business to pry. We Kin especially should respect that."
"I suppose so… I'm just worried." Vêlyma said. "Without their help we would have doubtlessly perished in that accursed place… you saw what just one of those husks was capable of, and they took on thousands of them. I want to thank both of them."
"We'll all get a chance to show our gratitude, I'm sure of it." Dóri said.
"Dóri, Vêlyma!" Ykkhí shouted excitedly, patting his siblings on the shoulders.
"Well, look who decided to show up at the last minute!" Dóri said with a wide smile, his arms outstretched.
Leman and Admu waded through the excited crowd gathering around them. Admu appeared slightly out of it but was up and awake with a smile on her face as she greeted the crowd of jubilant Kin.
"So, you want to finally tell us what daring feats you were doin' all by yourself in that dank hellhole? The lads and ladies are eager to hear it." Dóri said.
"Oh, right… Ah!" Admu clutched her head and winced in pain, steadying herself on a table. "My… my apologies… my head's a little foggy right now. I must have lost a lot of blood… but I'll be sure to tell you when I can recall everything." She said with an apologetic smile.
"She told me she couldn't remember anything when she awoke." Leman said. "I told her to rest until she was fully recovered, but when I told her about your celebration… well, she was very insistent that she didn't miss it."
"Tia!" Vêlyma shouted, running up Admu.
"Vêlyma!" Admu responded, picking up her mechanical friend in a mighty hug and swinging her around in a circle. The Ironkin stumbled a bit when Admu let her down.
"Oh! Sorry, I got a bit excited." Admu said.
"Ha ha, no problem… my gyroscopic sensors just got a bit rattled." Vêlyma said. "We were all worried about you… are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine… I think I just took a few hits to the head." Admu said, playfully tapping her fist on the side of her head. "Ow!" she said, wincing in pain and gently massaging her temple. "Still sore…"
Leman and Admu turned to see an imposing figure looming over the other Kin. It was High Kâhl Dòmhnagh, dressed in his towering power armor and adorned with a ceremonial regalia.
"You know… I wasn't sure Dóri had made the right decision in trusting you two, being outsiders. I am glad to see my suspicions were unfounded." Dòmhnagh said.
"That might be the closest thing to a compliment I've ever heard him say…" Ykkhí whispered to Dóri.
Dóri clambered on top of a table with his flagon of ale in hand.
"What say we have a toast to our honored guests!?" Dóri shouted, raising his drink in the air. The Kin all raised their mugs in turn with a raucous uproar. "Thrak ith urzakh bar-" Dóri said.
Admu's eyes widened, and from memory she shouted in response:
"zohar rothul ith grondr!" she recited, with perfect pronunciation.
The vast majority of Kin paid no mind to the outburst, downing their tankards of ale in celebration. Dóri, Ykkhí, Vêlyma, and Dòmhnagh however looked at the girl with mixed expressions of surprise, shock, and confusion. Even Leman turned to Admu with a furrowed brow, not understanding what she had just said.
"...thats… funny." Dóri said, scratching his head. "I, uh, didn't take you for someone who spoke Kindred… where'd you hear that phrase before?"
"I… I remember…" Admu said.
She grabbed her head as a flood of memories rushed through her mind, producing an automatic response that escaped her lips without warning.
"The… the Votann told me." she said.
The sounds of revelry ceased as a deathly silence filled the air. Some Kin dropped their mugs while others simply froze in place. Dóri and Ykkhí stared at Admu with dumbstruck expressions, the blood drained from their faces and their minds thrust into a situation they felt unable to handle.
"You… you lying thieves!" Dòmhnagh said, drawing his hammer in rage.
"W-wait, Dòmhnagh, I'm sure there's a-" Dóri said.
Dòmhnagh made a single step towards Admu, and in a flash Leman was standing between them with his sword drawn.
"I don't know what's going on, but I suggest you stand down until we can resolve this like civilized creatures." Leman said, his face indicating his determination to not back down to the Kin's threats.
"You invited these outsiders into our refuge… into our home… and they pilfered our most guarded secrets from under our noses!" Dòmhnagh shouted.
"I'm… I'm sorry… I didn't…" Admu stammered, her voice wavering with fear and trepidation.
"We have done no such thing!" Leman shouted, hoping that he was correct.
Damnit Admu, what the hell did you do!? He thought.
"We can't allow them to leave this place alive!" Dòmhnagh shouted, tightening his grip on his weapon. Leman stared daggers into him, raising his weapon to a combat stance.
"Now wait a minute, let's all just-" Dóri said, frantically trying to de-escalate the situation.
Dòmhnagh felt a faint heat against his cheek and turned to see the barrel of a charged lascannon staring back at him.
"V-Vêlyma!? What the hell are you doing!?" Dòmhnagh shouted, his teeth clenched in a scowl.
"I'm pointing a gun at your head. If you'd like to keep it on your shoulders, I suggest you calm your temper." She said.
"You would side with these… these transgressors against your own Kindred!?" Dòmhnagh said.
"They are not our enemy!" Vêlyma shouted.
"I won't hesitate to take you down with them!" Dòmhnagh said, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice.
"Don't you dare!" Ykkhí shouted, inserting himself into the tense situation.
"Please, please!" Dóri said. "Everyone just-"
"SILENCE!" A thundering voice cried out, trembling the air and drawing the attention of everyone.
The hooded, long-bearded Grimnyr Durvald emerged from a pair of immense stone doors, supporting himself on an ornately carved staff. The sound of the old Kin pacing through the room towards the epicenter of the conflict echoed throughout the vast stone hall. He approached the High Kâhl from behind, who was intently focused on the human warrior in front of him.
"Grimnyr, we have to-" Dòmhnagh said.
"Vêlyma, stand down." Durvald said.
After a short pause, the Ironkin lowered her lascannon and powered it down.
"Step aside, High Kâhl." The Grimnyr said with a slow and steady voice.
"But Grimnyr-" Dòmhnagh protested.
"I said, step aside." The Grimnyr said, his eyes crackling with pale blue energy.
The High Kâhl grit his teeth and reluctantly stepped to the side.
"Grimnyr Durvald, I'm sure there's an explanation for-" Dóri said, but the Grimnyr simply raised his hand and cut the Kin's words short.
The Grimnyr paced towards Leman and Admu slowly and deliberately. Leman, sensing his intentions and realizing the man was unarmed, slowly sheathed his blade and stepped back so he could speak with Admu. The Grimnyr nodded in affirmation.
"Outsider Tia…" The Grimnyr said. "You say that the Votann… spoke to you?"
Admu swallowed the lump in her throat and looked down at the bearded man with a terrified expression. She steeled her nerves and spoke with honesty and conviction.
"...Yes. I spoke with the Votann. Your… your Ancestor Core." Admu said.
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd, but the Grimnyr silenced them with a raise of his hand.
"That is not possible. The Votann have been imprisoned by the Machineblight on Thrain II for decades. So long as the curse remains, the ancestors cannot speak." Durvald said.
"The Machineblight… it was a daemon." Admu said, raising her head and putting on a determined expression. "I destroyed it. Completely. The curse is no more."
The crowd erupted in shocked voices.
"You… you lie! You expect us to believe that you alone could accomplish what entire armies could not?!" Dòmhnagh shouted.
"Enough!" The Grimnyr thundered, shooting a menacing stare at the High Kâhl before turning back to Admu. "What you speak of… it is the truth?"
Admu nodded. Durvald breathed deeply, stroking his beard in contemplation.
"Hold out your hand, Outsider Tia." The Grimnyr said.
Admu complied, holding her hand outstretched. The Grimnyr place his smaller hand on her palm, closing his eyes tightly. The two stood in silence for several seconds, before at last the Grimnyr's eyes opened.
"I have made my decision." He said. "Dóri, prepare a shuttle."
"Wh-where are we going, Lord Grimnyr?" Dóri said.
"Thrain II." The Grimnyr said.
"Grimyr, you can't possibly be considering-" Dòmhnagh said.
"Are you questioning the judgement of your ancestor, boy?" The Grimnyr said, with a tone of grave seriousness.
Dòmhnagh grit his teeth together, then breathed a sigh of defeat.
"No, Lord Grimnyr. I merely ask that you allow me to accompany you. I would like to see the truth of the matter with my own eyes." Dòmhnagh said.
"Very well. Dóri! Ykkhí! Vêlyma! The outcome of this situation is your responsibilities as well. You and the High Kâhl shall accompany me, and the outsiders as well." The Grimnyr said.
"Fine by me." Leman said, his arms crossed. "I just want to resolve situation as quickly as possible."
"Good. Then we depart by morning. That is all." The Grimnyr said, departing the gathering as abruptly as he had entered.
Leman turned to Admu with a grave expression.
"Tia… would you speak with me? In private?" Leman said, his voice harsher than normal.
Leman and Admu stood alone in a deserted hallway, outside of earshot of the gathered Kin who were now gossiping and conversing with anxious uncertainty in the gathering hall.
"A daemon!? You went to fight a daemon by yourself? What in all the hells compelled you to do such a thing!?" Leman shouted in a hushed tone.
Admu rubbed her hands together nervously, looking down at the floor.
"I… I'm sorry Leman-" Admu said.
"What if something had happened to you? Why did you not let me accompany you!? What the Hell were you thinking!?" Leman said, overcome with frustration.
"You don't understand!" Admu shouted, her eyes watering.
"I don't understand!? Do you know how many daemons I've fought? More than I can count! I waded through the deepest and most vile depths of the Immaterium for centuries! You've only been outside of your sheltered world for months! You could have been maimed or worse! What compelled you to make such a foolish decision!?"
"It was a daemon of Nurgle!" Admu said, tears streaming down her face.
Leman's frustrated expression immediately softened.
"I was afraid… not of the daemon. I was afraid of what you would think. It called me it's sibling. I didn't… I didn't want you to see that." Admu said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Leman closed his eyes tightly, clenching his teeth with a mixture of concern and frustration. He breathed a long, deep sigh, and placed a hand on Admu's shoulder. She looked up at him, his eyes looking uncharacteristically soft.
"I know about your heritage, Admu. I knew when I asked you to accompany me on this journey. Your father is kind and gentle… and so are you. Neither of you are anything like that repulsive thing that wears his name. I understand why you felt that way… but for your own safety, you must act with more sound judgment, rather than rash emotion. We are not ordinary mortals… but believe me when I say this: No one is invincible. I know that better than anyone else." Leman said.
Admu placed her hand on Leman's and smiled gently.
"Let's head in for the night… and promise me. No more secrets between us. Alright?" Leman said.
"Yes… right… no more secrets." Admu said, her mind recalling every moment of her fight with the daemon Mekegare in uncomfortable detail.
They shared no more words that night.