They Can Hear Our Hearts Beat

Kotori wanted to hear her stories and already Ikigai was thinking about their next meeting. Perhaps she could invite the young prince to Ashen so that she could play her instruments for him and tell him the stories of her father's homeland. Would he like something like that? The girl didn't have time to ask, because suddenly, things changed.

All the world seemed to begun pulsing in rhythm with her heart. Or maybe her heart pulsed in rhythm with the world. Either way, Ikigai released a soft gasp and bowed her head. The snow and obsidian princess began speaking in her father's native tongue. Her words were soft, yet strong. Her dialect and inflection practiced and perfect. With her mercuric gaze closed and her head bowed, Ikigai thanked the spirits for showing her their power. She thanked them for choosing her as a vessel for their will.

The Armada boy voiced what he thought the crystals wanted him to do and Ikigai's silvered gaze shot open once more. She pulled her attention from the pulsating view, though it was difficult. He wanted to taste them? She wasn't sure that this was a good idea, but Iki had a strong feeling that the spirits didn't want to hurt her. She wasn't sure if the same could be said about Kotori. He didn't have the same respect and reverence for the spirits that she did and she couldn't speak for them.

"X"