[The longer they hold each other’s hand, the more Xiao seems nonplussed about the affair. Even by mortal standards, this must be strange—right? He really can’t say. At least the physical sensation is a comfortable one; Lessa’s hand is pleasant to hold, unlike his own. Xiao has to remind himself not to apply too much pressure lest he hurt his new acquaintance, a sliver of self-awareness creeping down his spine as he recognizes how dry and calloused his fingers are. But Lessa does not complain.]

…I don’t know, [he answers honestly, some of the quiet confidence fading from his body language as he considers the two paths before him.] I have a contracted duty I must return to, whether or not my world was destroyed. Meridian may be the correct way forward for me.

[A moment passes, then finally he moves to retract his hand. In the end, it would be selfish of him to allow such casual physicality with another; Xiao does not yet understand how his karmic debt might affect others in this place, and will not risk hurting someone for his foolishness.]

How did you decide on Zenith? Doesn’t it feel…like a betrayal of everyone and everything you’ve known?