[Gossamer]

Valanthia came to him so infrequently, that each time she did so it was like a knife in his side. He'd see her, begin the mourning again, and only just start to heal before she'd appear again. He knew partners that spoke each cycle... sometimes more. He new pairs that celebrated birthbrightenings together, and were so close that it seemed the Sundering had never happened. But not Val. Not his other half. She pushed her way through the world with a ferocity and single mindedness that bordered on obstinate, self-absorbed in her own pain and somewhat oblivious to the rest of the worlds. Did she even remember the date he celebrated his birth?

No. He doubted she did.

Valanthia's world was all about Valanthia and her pain, her needs, her demands for explanations and comfort. Why did she ask such questions if she had access to the futures collective memory? Umbrosus waited, his snow white hair falling over his brow and in desperate need of a trim. His ice blue eyes were warm... how after all could he be mad at her? He didn't live her life or understand... could he? No... never. Because she didn't let him in. But this was a step... she wanted to talk.

Gods, the woman was just as frustratingly confusing in her death as she had been in her life.

"It's drawing to a close, Valanthia. I'll gladly talk, but I have no idea what you need to hear. All I can do is try. More and more less and less of us return. There are people on my side that haven't seen their other halves in eras... at least not the ones towards your future. Tell me, is there news? Will there be more Virkyn in the spring? It's winter there too, isn't it?" He asked, hopeful yet terrified of the answer. He didn't let his worry show though, keeping his well formed jaw soft in its strength and his face relaxed. Once he could melt ice with his smiles... now though, he barely had the energy to muster one.

"But... you... need a reason to... continue?" His confusion was obvious. Didn't she want to be whole? Didn't she care about the curse. "Valanthia, if I could I'd trade places with you. Let you stay here... let you rest. You were always better at managing things anyhow.... I still struggle with keeping the books. What's happened? What's upset you? You are here to talk, but I can't guess your end of it." He said, noting the raw pain in her gaze and not sure what it was he was viewing...