[ He laughs when she imitates a frog, a quiet little noise that fades as he listens. He remembers being trapped down there. More than the confinement, it was being cut off from all that he was which got to him. How he could never quite sleep because when he closed his eyes, he heard almost nothing; the way the nights made him feel blinded because he couldn't recall the last time he ever experienced true darkness without his vision being taken. Being set free had nearly hurt, as it came rushing back.

It'd never occurred to him those entirely human might have felt the same, solely from the magic that flowed through this sphere.

He makes a thoughtful sound. Thinks about Nadine asking him if he believes in fate. He's wondered since if it follows all of them, no matter how different their lives. Not a force that moves them like puppets on a string, but one that pushes them to confront the choices they have to make. ]

For years, I was told there was more waiting for me. That I was missing something. I thought it was horseshit, but some part of me looked, anyway. Then Ciri came along. They said we were destined for each other. [ He looks away, searching for how he wants to say what's on his mind. ] I don't know what I believe. But I do know we found each other twice over, across two worlds. She gave me what I never knew I didn't have. Maybe what you were missing, magic or purpose or both, you were always meant to find it here.