He is not a stupid man, but he does not understand the lines they draw in the sand. He cannot see the silver strings that tie them together and cannot fathom why it is they choose to live in these spiderwebs. How absurd that the flies in the web would have the illusion of power because they are bound together. What he learns is that leaving this place, when the time comes, would not be as simple as he once thought. The idea settles like a pebble in his chest and he knows he will come back to it, ponder it until it is smooth as a river rock.
Eik does not reply to the man's outburst, although a rare, boyish grin bursts across his face. Stuck-up jarheads... so this man is familiar with the Solterrans, at least as familiar as Eik is. Perhaps moreso, though he hopes not.
(There is always, always something beneath the surface. He tells himself there has to be, or else we'd all be made of paper)
But the situation hasn't changed. What can he do? He can't give the man his freedom, as much as it strings his morals. He is not used to feeling powerless. It is as unfamiliar and unwelcome as the four walls around him. Again claustrophobia dulls the edge of his mind-- he is keenly aware that he will wither away in this place, if he stayed long enough. He supposes that is what the desert does to everything, given enough time.
In the midst of his thoughts he focuses again on the man before him. The prisoner.
"I'm sorry." He is, to the deepest part of his bones, but he does not let the sorrow (the anger? How can you tell the difference when pure feeling seizes you?) flood his voice. He eyes the prison, taking stock of the man's needs. The water skin is at least a quarter full. Maybe more, maybe less. Eik will do what he can. "You will have enough food and water while you're here." He does not speak of the value of that, here in the desert. The thought does not even cross his mind.
"But none of my Solterran secrets." His eyes briefly crinkle in amusement-- a joke, of sorts. (We forgive you for not laughing.) He looks to the woman of stone, a world of questions blooming in his mind. He breathes in. Everything in its time and place.
He nods and then he is gone, steps ringing behind him on the stone floors.
Only trust the story.
- E I K
Eik gets sad and leaves :( I'd love to have him interact with @Rostislav and @Seraphina in the future! -scurries away-
