[Lessa is not the first to opine such a view; his fellow yakshas, once they discovered his reasoning for taking up the mask, voiced similar concerns. Only Rex Lapis seemed to understand that Xiao could not be shaken from his self-assigned path to redemption; the god never once questioned or tried to convince him otherwise, merely offered Xiao the tools necessary for the yaksha to find deliverance. Xiao has always been grateful for that.

But he is grateful once again—that Lessa does not force the issue, and that the other man shares such a gentle, warm hope with him. Though they have hardly known each other long, Xiao finds himself quietly pleased.]

…I hope so too, [he admits, something shy averting his gaze as he looks away.] For now, I should go. I’ve already lingered too long here.

[And only the gods know how his karmic debt would affect the environment of such holy grounds.]

Thank you for…listening, Lessa. Call my name if you ever need me. I’ll hear it.

[A beat. Xiao looks briefly consternated; he just remembered he can’t teleport away. Awkwardly, he begins to shuffle off in the direction of the city.]