[Hm, what a very normal thing for an apparently normal human man to say. Perhaps his odd choice of dress marks him as a particularly disfavoured ethnic or religious minority in his home country. Coming from a country possessing a rather turbulent history with its southern neighbour, where the worship of that country’s goddess was outlawed until shortly after he was born, Liem finds this idea completely plausible.

It’s actually the man’s other statement that surprises him more. His brows furrow slightly as he regards his companion.]

Really?

[That seems an odd thing to say, being as they are in the midst of a city where missing one’s place of origin is part of the general cultural identity. It is also one of the only things that lured him here, to this rowdy, party-loving city of eternal sunlight. That, and the familiar climate.]

It’s a common enough sentiment among the shard-bearers here. Not universal, no, but still — I’m surprised.

[But perhaps he’s not been in the city for very long.]

Did you? Like your home?