[temple of nikali] rattle the chains. (veldrys)

[Caelum]

Caelum studied Veldrys with old eyes. There were words in his mouth to respond to the man's arguments and a season gone he would have uttered them without hesitation. Yet it was no longer the hour for it and matters of blood science and thick skinned theology were had become a great deal smaller than his heart. "You think they don't matter?" His eyebrows riddled as he took the symenestra's hand, folding it between the work roughened warmth of his own. Surprise was stark on him as he studied his companion's face and the music of the water flowing into the sunken pool faded for him into a gentle dissonance. "The few people you say you have healed," he continued and gave his head a shake. The rest of him was at rest, spine slumped elegantly, the cameo his shadow made on the tiled floor almost meditative. "How do they not matter, Veldrys? And is your pleasure pointless? Are all your conversations idle? You frame your life with uselessness, but you've put up the walls with honest endeavors." He laughed. Veldrys could not know how rare a sound it was. It held no bitterness, but there was something weary waiting in its fading edges. "You need the sight of Syna," he smiled a touch crooked and met his eyes again. "Not the kiss of Nikali. I don't require Her holy interventions to know what you need - someone to care for you, so you will see how to care for yourself."