Arin kept his eyes shut for a few minutes. All he could see were the faces of the people he had met; the ones he had spent the previous evening with.
The kindly villagers. The laughing children.
…Layla.
He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
The white-haired man did not interrupt his thoughts. He simply reclined in his chair, relaxed as ever.
After a while, Arin opened his eyes. 'I've got a question,' he said.
'I'd presume you would have several. Ask away.'
Arin nodded. 'Who was he? The man with that tool. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but the way you spoke of him makes me believe he's someone you know.'
The white-haired man's smile remained in place, but one of his eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. He swirled the contents of his cup, then took a sip from it. 'He is… someone I once knew. From a time long past,' he said eventually.
'And is that why – is he the reason why you said you can't do it? That you can't help the people who are trapped in Lullwater?' Arin probed.
The man's beautiful red irises locked onto Arin. 'I can assure you there is no friendship between the two of us, Arin. Not a shred. Not in a long time. If I were to see him today, being flayed alive before me, I would only intervene to throw salt.'
He was still smiling gently as he spoke.
Arin swallowed. He didn't think the man was just being creative with his hyperboles. He had to steel himself somewhat, taking in a deep breath before continuing.
'Then, why? You know of the village's history, and of what happened to its residents. You know who caused it. Clearly, you understand how these things work. You also seem, well, powerful. How are you content with just sitting in your tower, doing nothing at all?'
The man regarded Arin for a moment. Then, ever so gracefully, he placed his cup down on the desk. Lacing his long fingers together, he set his hands down on his lap.
'And why do you care?' he asked.
Huh?
Before Arin could respond, the man continued, 'Why does whatever happens – or doesn't – matter to you? What I do, why I do it, how things end up… I fail to see how any of this concerns you.'
Arin huffed, bemused. 'Isn't it natural to hope that such undeserved suffering is ended? Wouldn't anyone feel compassion for fellow humans – especially those they have personally interacted with? It's because I'd like to see things conclude well. Because I care.'
The white-haired man's smile widened. 'Do you?'
Arin opened his mouth, then closed it again. 'I have absolutely no idea what you mean,' he finally said. He couldn't make sense of what the man was getting at.
The man before him sighed delicately. 'Your goal is to return to… your world. As long as you abide by my instructions, imitate Rin adequately when necessary, and focus your attention on finding what we need, this is not necessarily an impossibility. A time-taking and an effort-intensive endeavor, certainly, but one with a chance of success nonetheless. It was my understanding that this is all you care about. That the events of our world bear no interest to you.'
'I do not mind that, of course. It hasn't even been a full day since we were acquainted, and we've spent most of it apart. I just wonder why you are so troubled by my inaction when you aren't even certain of my name.'
…
Damn it.
He should've asked.
'Right, sorry,' Arin mumbled, not meeting the man's gaze. 'I do care! I didn't think to – well, I didn't know when… I thought it would be rude to ask…' He trailed off.
Oh well, at least he'd be learning it now.
Better late than never.
The white-haired man raised an eyebrow. 'Rude to ask?' he repeated curiously. 'In keeping with the norms of your world?'
'Uh… yes.'
'Interesting…' the man nodded. 'In that case, I shall respect it.'
No need! C'mon!
Arin slumped in his seat. He wanted to go home. He wanted to see familiar faces. He wanted to go back to thinking about dumb things, like what he'd have for dinner, or his idiotic younger brother's relationship troubles, or even his job. He wouldn't even complain if his damned boss added multiple useless meetings to his schedule.
When it came to evoking such thoughts, it was kinda amazing how being attacked by maddened, tortured souls locked in their corpses could never compare to the power of one awkward interaction.
'Thanks,' he said, scratching his head.
Looks like he's never going to learn this man's name after all.
'Anyway, I do care about this place, and not just because it sounds like it'll be a while before we figure out how I can leave. I'm just a regular guy. Of course I'd feel unhappy when I see people in trouble. I'd want to help somehow, and in lieu of that, I'd want someone else to be able to help instead. That's why I'm wondering why you don't.'
'In that case – ' before the white-haired man could continue, there was a loud, muffled BOOM! – that reverberated in the air. The room they were in shook slightly. The floor vibrated, and the lamps hanging from the ceiling swayed, casting dancing shadows.
'What the hell!? Arin leaped to his feet, wincing as the forgotten injury on his back twinged with pain at the sudden movement. 'What's going on?'
The man looked to one side for a moment. Then, calm as ever, he picked up his cup once again. 'It's nothing for you to worry about, Arin. You may sit back down.' Taking a sip, he added, 'One of my students – Rin's senior – has just returned to the tower.'