[ Fingers twisted a strand of hair, colors rippling through it like spilled oil as the question lingered in the air. ] A bad one that was still enjoyable? [ The words came out slow, like tasting a strange fruit. A grin followed, wide and sharp. ] There was a time...a long time ago, maybe. Someone thought they’d trapped a monster in a cage. Except the monster wasn’t what they thought, and the cage wasn’t locked. Chaos spilled out. People screamed. It was horrible—for them. But it made me laugh. [ The laugh came again, light and chiming, but with something jagged underneath. ] It wasn’t the bad that I enjoyed. It was a reminder. Even the strongest cages are just pretend if you’re clever enough.

[ The mug on the desk was nudged slightly, just enough to let the coffee inside ripple. Eyes flicked back to his, mismatched and unblinking, when the mention of travel came up. ] The rest of the world. [ The response came with a low hum, ] just more mirrors showing the same picture. New faces, new colors, but the same old games. You’re not one to travel just for the view, though. You’ve got plans. Always plans. [ Fingers tapped out a strange rhythm on the desk, not quite matching the sound of rain outside. ] But what are you looking for out there? Is it something you lost? Something you’ve never had? [ The tilt of the head came slowly, as if considering the weight of the next words. ] What will you do when you find it? Keep moving? Or stop?