When Yussa begins to move forward again with determination, Caleb falls in behind him, remaining close. He stops when Yussa does, allowing him to take his time. He knows what it's like to be forcibly reminded of horrifying experiences.
The compulsion is there to reach out and touch Yussa, to lay a hand against him reassuringly, but he ignores it for now. Perhaps that also would be too reminiscent of that time. He remembers so clearly reaching his hands inside Yussa's faintly transparent form, touching the very essence of him--his mind, his soul, whatever essential piece of him had been captured by the city's consuming madness--and banishing him back to the prime material plane. To himself.
They haven't talked about it. They don't have to. Caleb would never ask that. Yussa is so strong, but he must have been shaken to his core. Even with all the two of them have shared since, how they have grown so much closer, it would take a great deal of trust on Yussa's part. Perhaps even more than he's given him already.
They continue walking. Caleb says little, because Yussa doesn't seem in the mood for conversation. Eventually it comes to an end. The gate on the other side grows closer, looms, and finally they pass through it.
Caleb winces, blinking rapidly against the brightness of the next room. But it is only harsh compared to where they have come from. This space is bathed in what seems like natural midday sunlight. It's a wide circular chamber that stretches up at least three floors, though they are a continuous upward ramp, like a spiral. Judging by the paintings hanging framed on the walls, this is a gallery.
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The compulsion is there to reach out and touch Yussa, to lay a hand against him reassuringly, but he ignores it for now. Perhaps that also would be too reminiscent of that time. He remembers so clearly reaching his hands inside Yussa's faintly transparent form, touching the very essence of him--his mind, his soul, whatever essential piece of him had been captured by the city's consuming madness--and banishing him back to the prime material plane. To himself.
They haven't talked about it. They don't have to. Caleb would never ask that. Yussa is so strong, but he must have been shaken to his core. Even with all the two of them have shared since, how they have grown so much closer, it would take a great deal of trust on Yussa's part. Perhaps even more than he's given him already.
They continue walking. Caleb says little, because Yussa doesn't seem in the mood for conversation. Eventually it comes to an end. The gate on the other side grows closer, looms, and finally they pass through it.
Caleb winces, blinking rapidly against the brightness of the next room. But it is only harsh compared to where they have come from. This space is bathed in what seems like natural midday sunlight. It's a wide circular chamber that stretches up at least three floors, though they are a continuous upward ramp, like a spiral. Judging by the paintings hanging framed on the walls, this is a gallery.