[ perhaps, even if his soul still aches for death, for respite and release, she can one day find a part of him that would be receptive to it, to hope. to joy. she will hope for that day, for hope is all she can do now.

hope for the future of all stars.

for now, however, her mind wanders back to thoughts of the champion, the one who had broken her and her sisters from being the endsinger to the hopesinger. perhaps a dawnsinger? the dawn of new times. ]

May I ask something of you? A— [ what had they called it? ] —favor?

[ she blinks up at venat for a few moments, trying to decide how to ask for this favor. ]

Will you tell me a story? Of a happier time, something you remember from your travels or your sights.