Winter Gardens (Sanctuary)

[Calliope]

Cali listened with interest. She didn’t know much about opera, but she was fond of singing, enough to make her smile a surprised, joyous response for something unexpectedly discovered in common. She didn’t ask further about his gift, though her expression suggested she was considering what he shared, and what it might mean. She examined herself for fear or reservation but found none. Cali mostly wore her heart on her sleeve, and bestowed trust evenly. Anton spoke about responsibility in a way that felt truthful. “And how do you feel about it?” she asked eventually. A man beseeched always by the emotions of others must feel flattened sometimes. She wondered if it was why he sang.

“Isn’t it natural to be curious about a new person?” She laughed a little, breath clouding. It was an easy, irreverent sound. Cali was devout, but she was rarely solemn like Quillon, or beautifully statuesque like Seraphis. She liked people.

“What brought you here for instance? Everyone’s story is different. What made you decide to stay?”